A patient has suffered a left CVA and developed severe hemiparesis resulting in a loss of mobility. The nurse notices on assessment that an area over the patient's left elbow appears as non-blanchable erythema, and the skin is intact. The nurse should score the patient as having which of the following?
- A. Stage I pressure ulcer
- B. Stage II pressure ulcer
- C. Stage III pressure ulcer
- D. Stage IV pressure ulcer
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Erythema with the skin intact is characteristic of a Stage I pressure ulcer. At this stage, the skin is not broken, but there is localized redness that does not blanch when pressed. Stage II pressure ulcers involve partial-thickness skin loss, Stage III pressure ulcers have full-thickness skin loss, and Stage IV pressure ulcers extend to deeper tissues, including muscle and bone. In this case, the non-blanchable erythema with intact skin aligns with the characteristics of a Stage I pressure ulcer.
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A client who is newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and beginning medication therapy asks the nurse, 'How soon will I see improvement?' The nurse's best response is:
- A. "That varies from client to client."?
- B. "You should discuss that with your physician."?
- C. "You should notice a difference in a few days."?
- D. "It might take several weeks before you notice improvement."?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the case of Parkinson's disease, improvement in symptoms may take several weeks of therapy to become noticeable. Therefore, the correct answer is to inform the client that it might take several weeks before they notice improvement. Choice A acknowledges individual variability but does not provide a specific timeframe, making it less reassuring. Choice B suggests deferring the question to the physician, which is not the most supportive response. Choice C is incorrect because improvement in Parkinson's disease symptoms typically does not occur within a few days.
What must the evening nurse do to facilitate the client's ECT treatment the next morning?
- A. Ensure the patient signs an informed consent form
- B. Administer evening medications
- C. Ensure the patient gets a good night's sleep
- D. Provide dietary restrictions as per ECT protocol
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) treatment, obtaining informed consent is crucial before the procedure. This ensures the patient is aware of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the treatment. Administering medications, ensuring rest, and dietary restrictions are important but not directly related to the specific requirement of obtaining informed consent for ECT. The correct answer, ensuring the patient signs an informed consent form, is essential to uphold the patient's autonomy and ensure they have the necessary information to make an informed decision about their treatment.
The factor that most determines drug distribution is:
- A. vascular perfusion of the tissue or organ.
- B. salt form.
- C. drug interactions.
- D. steady state.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is 'vascular perfusion of the tissue or organ.' Drug distribution is primarily determined by how well the circulatory system delivers the drug to various tissues and organs. Adequate perfusion ensures proper distribution of the drug throughout the body. While the salt form (choice B), drug interactions (choice C), and steady state (choice D) can influence drug efficacy and metabolism, they are not as crucial as vascular perfusion for the initial distribution of a drug.
A 27-year-old woman has delivered twins in the OB unit. The patient develops a condition of 5-centimeter diastasis recti abdominis. Which of the following statements is the most accurate when instructing the patient?
- A. Avoid sit-ups to prevent worsening the condition.
- B. Surgery is not always necessary for this condition.
- C. Guarding the abdominal region is important at this time.
- D. Antibiotics are not needed for diastasis recti abdominis.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: After experiencing diastasis recti abdominis, it is crucial for the patient to protect and guard the abdominal region to facilitate healing. Choice A is correct since avoiding sit-ups is important to prevent worsening the condition by increasing intra-abdominal pressure. Choice B is accurate as not all cases of diastasis recti abdominis require surgery; conservative management is often effective. Choice D is also correct as antibiotics are not indicated for diastasis recti abdominis since it is a separation of the abdominal muscles and not an infectious condition.
The client in the Emergency Department, who has suffered an ankle sprain, should be taught to:
- A. use cold applications to the sprain during the first 24-48 hours.
- B. expect disability to decrease within the first 24 hours of injury
- C. expect pain to decrease within 3 hours after injury.
- D. begin progressive passive and active range of motion exercises immediately.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When a client suffers an ankle sprain, the nurse should teach them to use cold applications to the sprain during the first 24-48 hours. Cold applications are believed to produce vasoconstriction and reduce the development of edema. Expecting disability to decrease within the first 24 hours of injury (choice B) is incorrect as disability and pain are anticipated to increase during the first 2-3 hours after injury. Expecting pain to decrease within 3 hours after injury (choice C) is also incorrect as pain and swelling usually increase initially. Beginning progressive passive and active range of motion exercises immediately (choice D) is not recommended; these exercises are usually started 2-5 days after the injury, according to the physician's recommendation. Treatment for a sprain involves support, rest, and alternating cold and heat applications. X-ray pictures are often necessary to rule out any fractures.