A patient newly diagnosed with a cervical disk herniation is receiving health education from the clinic nurse. What conservative management measures should the nurse teach the patient to implement?
- A. Perform active ROM exercises three times daily.
- B. Sleep on a firm mattress.
- C. Apply cool compresses to the back of the neck daily.
- D. Wear the cervical collar for at least 2 hours at a time.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sleep on a firm mattress. A firm mattress helps maintain proper spinal alignment, reducing pressure on the cervical spine. This promotes healing and prevents worsening of symptoms.
A: Performing active ROM exercises may exacerbate symptoms and worsen the condition.
C: Applying cool compresses may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue of spinal alignment.
D: Wearing a cervical collar for extended periods can weaken neck muscles and hinder natural healing processes.
In summary, sleeping on a firm mattress is the most appropriate conservative measure as it supports proper spinal alignment.
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A patient on the oncology unit is receiving carmustine, a chemotherapy agent, and the nurse is aware that a significant side effect of this medication is thrombocytopenia. Which symptom should the nurse assess for in patients at risk for thrombocytopenia?
- A. Interrupted sleep pattern
- B. Hot flashes
- C. Epistaxis (nose bleed)
- D. Increased weight
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Epistaxis (nose bleed). Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count, leading to impaired blood clotting and an increased risk of bleeding. Epistaxis is a common symptom of thrombocytopenia due to the lack of platelets to aid in clot formation. Assessing for epistaxis in patients receiving carmustine is crucial to monitor and manage potential bleeding complications. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they are not directly associated with thrombocytopenia.
A 57-year-old male comes to the clinic complaining that when he has an erection his penis curves and becomes painful. The patients diagnosis is identified as severe Peyronies disease. The nurse should be aware of what likely treatment modality?
- A. Physical therapy
- B. Treatment with PDE-5 inhibitors
- C. Intracapsular hydrocortisone injections
- D. Surgery
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Surgery. Surgery is the most effective treatment modality for severe Peyronie's disease as it can correct the penile curvature and alleviate pain. Physical therapy (A) may not be effective in severe cases. PDE-5 inhibitors (B) are used for erectile dysfunction but do not treat the underlying Peyronie's disease. Intracapsular hydrocortisone injections (C) may be used for less severe cases, but in severe cases, surgery is recommended for optimal outcomes.
A patient was prescribed an oral antibiotic for the treatment of sinusitis. The patient has now stopped, stating she developed a rash shortly after taking the first dose of the drug. What is the nurses most appropriate response?
- A. Encourage the woman to continue with the medication while monitoring her skin condition closely.
- B. Refer the woman to her primary care provider to have the medication changed.
- C. Arrange for the woman to go to the nearest emergency department.
- D. Encourage the woman to take an OTC antihistamine with each dose of the antibiotic.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Refer the woman to her primary care provider to have the medication changed.
Rationale:
1. Rash after taking the first dose of an antibiotic suggests a possible allergic reaction.
2. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe, including anaphylaxis.
3. It is crucial to discontinue the suspected medication to prevent worsening of the reaction.
4. Referring the patient to their primary care provider ensures proper evaluation and management.
5. Changing the medication is necessary to avoid potential harm from continued exposure.
Summary:
A: Continuing the medication can worsen the allergic reaction and is not recommended.
C: Going to the emergency department may be excessive at this point for a mild rash.
D: Taking an antihistamine does not address the underlying issue of an allergic reaction.
A nurse exchanges information with the oncomingnurse about a patient’s care. Which action did the nurse complete?
- A. A verbal report
- B. An electronic record entry
- C. A referral
- D. An acuity rating
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: A verbal report. This is because exchanging information verbally between nurses allows for real-time communication, ensuring important details are accurately conveyed. Electronic record entry (B) involves documenting information in the patient's record but does not involve direct communication. Referral (C) refers to transferring the patient's care to another healthcare provider. Acuity rating (D) is a tool used to determine the severity of a patient's condition and does not involve exchanging information between nurses.
Which types of nurses make the best communicatorswith patients?
- A. Those who learn effective psychomotor skills
- B. Those who develop critical thinking skills
- C. Those who like different kinds of people
- D. Those who maintain perceptual biases
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Those who develop critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills enable nurses to assess situations, analyze information, and communicate effectively with patients. By using critical thinking, nurses can tailor their communication style to each patient's needs, leading to better understanding and rapport.
A: Learning effective psychomotor skills is important but does not directly correlate with being a good communicator.
C: Liking different kinds of people is beneficial for interpersonal relationships, but it does not necessarily make one a better communicator.
D: Maintaining perceptual biases hinders effective communication as it can lead to misunderstandings and barriers in the communication process.