A patient who is undergoing consolidation therapy for the treatment of leukemia has been experiencing debilitating fatigue. How can the nurse best meet this patient's needs for physical activity?
- A. Teach the patient about the risks of immobility and the benefits of exercise.
- B. Assist the patient to a chair during awake times, as tolerated.
- C. Collaborate with the physical therapist to arrange for stair exercises.
- D. Teach the patient to perform deep breathing and coughing exercises.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assisting the patient to a chair during awake times, as tolerated, is the most appropriate intervention for a patient experiencing debilitating fatigue during consolidation therapy for leukemia. This option promotes mobility and prevents further deconditioning without overwhelming the patient.
A: Teaching about risks and benefits may not directly address the immediate need for physical activity.
C: Stair exercises may be too strenuous for a fatigued patient and could potentially exacerbate their condition.
D: Deep breathing and coughing exercises are important but do not directly address the need for physical activity to combat fatigue.
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A 17-year-old female presents with cervical adenopathy and a history of daily fevers and drenching night sweats. A biopsy is performed and reveals classic Hodgkin lymphoma. Which of the following is least appropriate as part of the staging workup?
- A. Chest x-ray
- B. CT scan of chest, abdomen, and pelvis
- C. Functional imaging (PET scan)
- D. Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. In Hodgkin lymphoma staging, CNS involvement is rare at initial presentation. Therefore, routine CSF analysis is not recommended unless there are specific neurological symptoms suggestive of CNS disease. A lumbar puncture carries risks of complications and should not be performed routinely. Choices A, B, and C are appropriate for staging in Hodgkin lymphoma to evaluate for distant metastases and characterize disease extent.
In a study to investigate the rates of central line–acquired bacterial infections, it is discovered that patient length of stay (LOS) is not normally distributed but is highly right-skewed. What is the correct relationship between the mean, median, and mode of LOS?
- A. The mean is less than the median but greater than the mode.
- B. The mean is equal to the median and the mode.
- C. The mean is greater than the median and mode.
- D. The mean and median will both be less than the mode.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: The mean is greater than the median and mode. In a highly right-skewed distribution, the mean is pulled towards the higher end by the extreme values, making it greater than the median, which is the middle value. The mode is the most frequent value, which is typically lower than the mean in a right-skewed distribution. In summary, the mean is influenced by extreme values, causing it to be greater than both the median and the mode in a highly right-skewed distribution.
A nurse is caring for a client who is about to begin taking aspirin to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. The nurse should identify that the drug inhibits platelet aggregation by which of the following mechanisms?
- A. Activating thromboxane A2
- B. Blocking adenosine diphosphate receptor agonists
- C. Suppressing specific clotting factors
- D. Inhibiting cyclooxygenase action in platelets
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Inhibiting cyclooxygenase action in platelets. Aspirin works by irreversibly inhibiting cyclooxygenase, specifically COX-1, in platelets. By inhibiting COX-1, aspirin prevents the formation of thromboxane A2, which is a potent platelet aggregator. This action reduces platelet aggregation and ultimately decreases the risk of clot formation leading to a cardiovascular event.
Choice A is incorrect because aspirin does not activate thromboxane A2, but rather inhibits its formation. Choice B is incorrect as aspirin does not block adenosine diphosphate receptors. Choice C is incorrect as aspirin does not suppress specific clotting factors, but rather inhibits platelet function through the mechanism described above.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is being discharged after an emergency splenectomy following an automobile accident. Which instructions should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
- A. Watch for excess bruising.
- B. Check for swollen lymph nodes.
- C. Take iron supplements to prevent anemia.
- D. Wash hands and avoid persons who are ill.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because after a splenectomy, the patient is at risk for infections due to a compromised immune system. Washing hands and avoiding sick individuals can help prevent infections.
A: Watching for excess bruising is not directly related to post-splenectomy care.
B: Checking for swollen lymph nodes is not a priority concern for a post-splenectomy patient.
C: Taking iron supplements may not be necessary immediately post-splenectomy and should be discussed with the healthcare provider.
A 16-year-old patient with a left-side pelvic osteosarcoma is taking extended release oxycodone twice daily as well as immediate release oxycodone for breakthrough pain approximately 2 or 3 times per day. She describes her pain as burning, tingling, and shooting in her left leg. Her pain worsens with hot showers. Her most recent EKG has a QTc of 495. What would be the best strategy to manage her pain?
- A. Switch from long-acting oxycodone to methadone.
- B. Recommend more frequent use of her immediate release oxycodone.
- C. Add amitriptyline daily. Start low and titrate upward on dosage.
- D. Add gabapentin three times daily. Start low and titrate upward on dose.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Add gabapentin three times daily. Gabapentin is a first-line option for neuropathic pain, which is likely the cause of the patient's burning, tingling, and shooting leg pain. The worsening of pain with hot showers is also characteristic of neuropathic pain. Gabapentin's mechanism of action in reducing neuropathic pain makes it a suitable choice for this patient. Switching to methadone (A) may not directly address the neuropathic pain component. Recommending more frequent use of immediate release oxycodone (B) may lead to increased risk of opioid-related adverse effects. While amitriptyline (C) is also used for neuropathic pain, starting with gabapentin is more appropriate given the patient's current opioid regimen and EKG findings.