A patient newly diagnosed with breast cancer states that her physician suspects regional lymph node involvement and told her that there are signs of metastatic disease. The nurse learns that the patient has been diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. What is an implication of this diagnosis?
- A. The patient is not a surgical candidate.
- B. The patients breast cancer is considered highly treatable.
- C. There is a 10% chance that the patients cancer will self-resolve.
- D. The patient has a 15% chance of 5-year survival.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer A: Stage IV breast cancer indicates distant metastasis, making the patient ineligible for curative surgery. Treatment for stage IV focuses on palliative care to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Summary of Other Choices:
B: Stage IV breast cancer is not considered highly treatable as it has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes, making it more challenging to cure.
C: There is no evidence to suggest that stage IV breast cancer will self-resolve. The prognosis for metastatic breast cancer is typically poor.
D: The 5-year survival rate for stage IV breast cancer is generally lower than 15%, making this choice incorrect.
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A student nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a wide excision of the vulva. The student should know that what action is contraindicated in the immediate postoperative period?
- A. Placing patient in low Fowlers position
- B. Application of compression stockings
- C. Ambulation to a chair
- D. Provision of a low-residue diet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Application of compression stockings. Immediately after a wide excision of the vulva, compression stockings should be avoided as they can increase the risk of blood clots. Placing the patient in a low Fowler's position helps with comfort and promotes healing. Ambulation to a chair aids in preventing complications like pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis. Providing a low-residue diet is appropriate postoperatively to prevent straining during bowel movements.
Which intrapartal assessment should be avoided when caring for a patient with HELLP syndrome?
- A. Abdominal palpation
- B. Venous sample of blood
- C. Checking deep tendon reflexes
- D. Auscultation of the heart and lungs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Abdominal palpation. Palpating the abdomen can potentially cause rupture of the liver in patients with HELLP syndrome due to increased risk of liver hematoma. This can lead to severe bleeding and compromise the patient's condition. Checking deep tendon reflexes (C), auscultation of the heart and lungs (D), and venous sample of blood (B) are safe assessments that do not pose a risk of exacerbating the patient's condition. It is crucial to prioritize patient safety and avoid interventions that can harm the patient, making avoiding abdominal palpation the correct choice in caring for a patient with HELLP syndrome.
A 6-month-old infant is brought to the ED by his parents for inconsolable crying and pulling at his right ear. When assessing this infant, the advanced practice nurse is aware that the tympanic membrane should be what color in a healthy ear?
- A. Yellowish-white
- B. Pink
- C. Gray
- D. Bluish-white
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pink. In a healthy ear, the tympanic membrane should appear pink due to the rich blood supply. This color indicates good vascularization and normal functioning of the ear. Yellowish-white (choice A), gray (choice C), and bluish-white (choice D) are incorrect because they do not reflect the normal color of a healthy tympanic membrane. Yellowish-white may indicate fluid behind the eardrum, gray may suggest infection or inflammation, and bluish-white could indicate poor blood flow or trauma. Therefore, the pink color of the tympanic membrane is the most appropriate and indicative of a healthy ear in this case.
A patient who was pregnant had a spontaneous abortion at approximately 4 weeks’ gestation. At the time of the miscarriage, it was thought that all products of conception were expelled. Two weeks later, the patient presents at the clinic office complaining of “crampy” abdominal pain and a scant amount of serosanguineous vaginal drainage with a slight odor. The pregnancy test is negative. Vital signs reveal a temperature of 100F, with blood pressure of 100/60 mm Hg, irregular pulse 88 beats/minute (bpm), and respirations, 20 breaths per minute. Based on this assessment data, what does the nurse anticipate as a clinical diagnosis?
- A. Ectopic pregnancy
- B. Uterine infection
- C. Gestational trophoblastic disease
- D. Endometriosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Uterine infection. The patient's symptoms of crampy abdominal pain, scant serosanguineous vaginal drainage with odor, negative pregnancy test, and vital signs indicating fever, low blood pressure, and irregular pulse suggest an infection. The history of recent miscarriage raises suspicion for retained products of conception leading to infection. Ectopic pregnancy (choice A) would present with different symptoms such as abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and positive pregnancy test. Gestational trophoblastic disease (choice C) typically presents with abnormal vaginal bleeding and high levels of hCG. Endometriosis (choice D) is a chronic condition and not related to the acute symptoms described. In summary, the clinical presentation aligns with uterine infection given the patient's history, symptoms, and vital signs.
In teaching mothers-to-be about infant nutrition, which instruction should the nurse provide?
- A. Supplement breast milk with corn syrup.
- B. Give cow’s milk during the first year of life.
- C. Add honey to infant formulas for increased energy.
- D. Provide breast milk or formula for the first 4 to 6 months.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because breast milk or formula is recommended for the first 4 to 6 months as it provides essential nutrients for infant growth and development. Choosing A, B, or C is incorrect as they pose health risks to infants - corn syrup is not necessary, cow's milk is not suitable for infants, and honey can cause botulism in infants under 1 year old. Breast milk or formula is the safest and most nutritionally balanced option for infants in the first few months of life.