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A patient presents with sudden-onset severe lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and inability to pass urine. On physical examination, there is suprapubic tenderness and a palpable bladder. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Acute pyelonephritis
- B. Acute urinary retention
- C. Renal colic
- D. Bladder cancer
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's presentation with sudden-onset severe lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, inability to pass urine, suprapubic tenderness, and a palpable bladder is classic for acute urinary retention. Acute urinary retention is a urological emergency characterized by the sudden inability to pass urine due to the inability to empty the bladder completely. The palpable bladder on physical examination indicates significant bladder distension. This condition can be caused by multiple factors such as bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic causes, or medications affecting bladder function. Prompt intervention is necessary to relieve the bladder distension, alleviate symptoms, and prevent complications like bladder rupture.
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A nurse is preparing to assist with a lumbar puncture procedure for a patient. What action should the nurse take to maintain procedural asepsis?
- A. Wearing sterile gloves and a surgical mask during the procedure
- B. Cleansing the puncture site with povidone-iodine solution
- C. Using a sterile drape to cover the patient during the procedure
- D. Avoiding unnecessary movement or talking during the procedure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A nurse should wear sterile gloves and a surgical mask during a lumbar puncture procedure to maintain procedural asepsis. Sterile gloves help prevent contamination of the procedure site and reduce the risk of introducing microorganisms to the puncture site. Surgical masks help minimize the risk of respiratory secretions contaminating the sterile field, which is essential for maintaining asepsis during the procedure. Additionally, proper hand hygiene before and after the procedure is crucial in preventing the spread of infection.
A woman in active labor is receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate for the prevention of eclampsia. What maternal assessment finding indicates magnesium toxicity?
- A. Muscle weakness
- B. Increased deep tendon reflexes
- C. Hypotension
- D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent eclampsia, but it can lead to toxicity if levels become too high. One common sign of magnesium toxicity is increased deep tendon reflexes, also known as hyperreflexia. This occurs because magnesium is a muscle relaxant, and elevated levels can lead to over-relaxation of muscles, causing an exaggerated reflex response. Other signs of magnesium toxicity include respiratory depression, decreased urine output, and cardiac arrest. Therefore, in a woman receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate during labor, an increase in deep tendon reflexes would indicate potential toxicity and require immediate intervention.
A patient presents with crushing chest pain that lasts longer than 20 minutes, diaphoresis, and dyspnea. An electrocardiogram (ECG) shows ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads. Which cardiovascular disorder is most likely responsible for these symptoms?
- A. Stable angina
- B. Unstable angina
- C. Acute myocardial infarction
- D. Prinzmetal's angina
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient is most likely experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI) based on the presentation of crushing chest pain lasting longer than 20 minutes, diaphoresis, dyspnea, and ST-segment elevation on the ECG. These symptoms are consistent with the classic presentation of an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), which is a type of acute MI that is characterized by prolonged ischemia leading to myocardial cell death. In this case, the ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads indicates myocardial damage in the corresponding area of the heart supplied by the affected coronary artery. This is a medical emergency that requires urgent intervention to restore blood flow to the affected myocardium and prevent further complications.
A patient with terminal cancer is experiencing dyspnea due to pleural effusion. What intervention should the palliative nurse prioritize to manage the patient's symptoms?
- A. Administer bronchodilator medications to improve airway clearance.
- B. Perform thoracentesis to drain the pleural fluid and relieve dyspnea.
- C. Recommend non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for respiratory support.
- D. Encourage the patient to practice relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The palliative nurse should prioritize performing thoracentesis to drain the pleural fluid and relieve dyspnea in a patient with terminal cancer experiencing pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is a common complication in patients with advanced cancer and can cause significant respiratory distress. Drainage of the pleural fluid through thoracentesis can provide immediate relief by easing the pressure on the lungs and improving the patient's ability to breathe. This intervention is essential in managing dyspnea for comfort and quality of life in palliative care settings. Administering bronchodilator medications (option A) or recommending non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (option C) may not directly address the underlying cause of dyspnea in this case. While relaxation techniques (option D) can help with anxiety and overall well-being, they may not be sufficient in managing the physical symptom of dyspnea caused by pleural effusion.
A patient with a history of chronic liver disease presents with jaundice, ascites, and spider angiomas. Laboratory tests reveal elevated serum bilirubin levels, prolonged prothrombin time, and hypoalbuminemia. Which condition is the patient most likely experiencing?
- A. Hepatic encephalopathy
- B. Hepatorenal syndrome
- C. Cirrhosis
- D. Acute liver failure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's presentation of jaundice, ascites, spider angiomas, elevated serum bilirubin levels, prolonged prothrombin time, and hypoalbuminemia are all indicative of cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is a late stage of liver disease characterized by liver scarring and poor liver function. Jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels, is a common manifestation of liver dysfunction seen in cirrhosis. Ascites, the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, is also a common complication of cirrhosis. Spider angiomas, which are small blood vessels near the skin's surface, are a result of altered blood flow in the liver due to cirrhosis. Prolonged prothrombin time and hypoalbuminemia are consequences of reduced liver synthesis function in cirrhosis. Hepatic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome