A patient is seen in the clinic for reports of "fainting episodes that started last week."? How would the nurse proceed with the examination?
- A. Blood pressure readings are taken in both arms and thighs.
- B. The patient is assisted to a lying position, and their blood pressure is taken.
- C. The patient's blood pressure is recorded in lying, sitting, and standing positions.
- D. The patient's blood pressure is recorded in lying and sitting positions; these numbers are then averaged to obtain a mean blood pressure.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a patient reports fainting episodes, it is crucial to assess for orthostatic hypotension. If the nurse suspects volume depletion, the patient has hypertension, is on antihypertensive medications, or has a history of fainting or syncope, blood pressure readings should be taken in three positions: lying, sitting, and standing. This assessment helps detect orthostatic hypotension, which can provide valuable information about the patient's condition. Taking blood pressure readings in multiple positions allows for a comprehensive evaluation of possible postural changes in blood pressure. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not cover the necessary positions to assess for orthostatic hypotension effectively.
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When assessing the pulse of a 6-year-old patient, the nurse notices that the heart rate varies with the respiratory cycle, speeding up at the peak of inspiration and slowing to normal with expiration. What action would the nurse take next?
- A. Notify the physician.
- B. Record this finding as normal.
- C. Check the child's blood pressure and note any variation with respiration.
- D. Document that this child has bradycardia and continue with the assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take next is to record this finding as normal. Sinus dysrhythmia, characterized by heart rate variation with the respiratory cycle, is commonly found in children and young adults. The heart rate speeds up at the peak of inspiration and slows to normal with expiration. This phenomenon is a normal variant and does not require any intervention. There is no need to notify the physician as this finding is within the expected range for this age group. Checking the child's blood pressure for variations with respiration or documenting the child as having bradycardia would not be appropriate in this case, as sinus dysrhythmia is a normal physiological response.
When assessing a 75-year-old patient who has asthma, the nurse notes that the patient assumes a tripod position, leaning forward with arms braced on the chair. How would the nurse interpret these findings?
- A. Interpret that the patient is eager and interested in participating in the interview.
- B. Evaluate the patient for abdominal pain, which may be exacerbated in the sitting position.
- C. Interpret that the patient is having difficulty breathing and assist them to a supine position.
- D. Recognize that a tripod position is often used when a patient is having respiratory difficulties.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Assuming a tripod position"?leaning forward with arms braced on chair arms"?occurs with chronic pulmonary diseases like asthma. This position helps improve breathing by allowing better use of respiratory muscles. Option A is incorrect because assuming the tripod position is not related to being eager or interested in participating in an interview. Option B is incorrect as abdominal pain is not typically associated with the tripod position in this context. Option C is incorrect as assisting the patient to a supine position would not address the underlying respiratory difficulty indicated by the tripod position. Therefore, the correct interpretation is to recognize that the patient is likely experiencing respiratory difficulties when assuming the tripod position.
The healthcare provider is examining a patient who is reporting "feeling cold."? Which is a mechanism of heat loss in the body?
- A. Exercise
- B. Radiation
- C. Metabolism
- D. Food digestion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When the body needs to lose heat, one of the mechanisms it employs is radiation. Radiation involves the transfer of heat from the body to the environment in the form of infrared waves. While metabolism, exercise, and food digestion contribute to heat production, they are not mechanisms for heat loss. Metabolism generates heat as a byproduct, exercise increases metabolic rate leading to heat production, and food digestion involves some heat generation, but these processes do not directly facilitate heat loss. Therefore, in the scenario where the patient is feeling cold, radiation is the primary mechanism for the body to lose excess heat and maintain a stable internal temperature.
Your patient had a stroke, or CVA, five years ago. The resident still has right-sided weakness. You are ready to transfer the resident from the bed to the wheelchair. The wheelchair should be positioned at the _____________.
- A. head of the bed on the patient's right side
- B. head of the bed on the patient's left side
- C. bottom of the bed on the patient's right side
- D. bottom of the bed on the patient's left side
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The wheelchair should be positioned at the head of the bed on the resident's left side. This positioning allows the resident to use their stronger left side to assist with the transfer, compensating for the right-sided weakness. Placing the wheelchair at the head of the bed on the patient's right side (Choice A) would not utilize the stronger left side, which is crucial for the transfer. Similarly, positioning the wheelchair at the bottom of the bed on either side (Choices C and D) would not facilitate optimal assistance from the resident's stronger side during the transfer process.
Which playroom activities should the nurse organize for a small group of 7-year-old hospitalized children?
- A. Sports and games with rules.
- B. Finger paints and water play.
- C. "Dress-up"? clothes and props.
- D. Chess and television programs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For 7-year-old children, play serves an important role in developing cooperation, logical reasoning, and social skills. Organizing sports and games with rules is beneficial as it helps children understand the importance of rules, promotes teamwork, and fosters social interactions. Finger paints and water play, while fun, may not target the specific developmental needs of this age group. Similarly, 'Dress-up' clothes and props can encourage imaginative play but may not necessarily promote cooperation and logical reasoning. Chess and television programs are more suited for older children and may not engage 7-year-olds as effectively in developing the desired skills.
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