A patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is being visited by the home health nurse who is creating a care plan. What nursing diagnosis is most likely for a patient with this condition?
- A. Chronic confusion
- B. Impaired urinary elimination
- C. Impaired verbal communication
- D. Bowel incontinence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Impaired verbal communication. In ALS, motor neurons deteriorate leading to muscle weakness and atrophy, including those involved in speech production. This results in impaired verbal communication. Chronic confusion (A) is not a common manifestation of ALS. Impaired urinary elimination (B) and bowel incontinence (D) are not typically associated with ALS, as it primarily affects motor neurons, not autonomic functions.
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A patient with a sudden onset of hearing loss tells the nurse that he would like to begin using hearing aids. The nurse understands that the health professional dispensing hearing aids would have what responsibility?
- A. Test the patients hearing promptly.
- B. Perform an otoscopy.
- C. Measure the width of the patients ear canal.
- D. Refer the patient to his primary care physician.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Test the patient's hearing promptly. This is because before dispensing hearing aids, it is crucial to accurately assess the patient's hearing ability. Testing the patient's hearing promptly allows the healthcare professional to determine the type and degree of hearing loss, which is essential for selecting the appropriate hearing aids. Performing an otoscopy (choice B) may be part of the assessment but does not provide information on hearing ability. Measuring the width of the patient's ear canal (choice C) is not necessary for dispensing hearing aids. Referring the patient to his primary care physician (choice D) may delay the process of obtaining hearing aids and is not directly related to the responsibility of the health professional dispensing hearing aids.
A patient has come into the free clinic asking to be tested for HIV infection. The patient asks the nurse how the test works. The nurse responds that if the testing shows that antibodies to the AIDS virus are present in the blood, this indicates what?
- A. The patient is immune to HIV.
- B. The patients immune system is intact.
- C. The patient has AIDS-related complications.
- D. The patient has been infected with HIV.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: The patient has been infected with HIV. Antibodies to the AIDS virus in the blood indicate a past or current infection with HIV. This is because the body produces antibodies in response to the presence of the virus.
A: The patient is immune to HIV is incorrect because antibodies indicate exposure, not immunity.
B: The patient's immune system is intact is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not necessarily reflect the overall functionality of the immune system.
C: The patient has AIDS-related complications is incorrect because the presence of antibodies does not directly indicate the presence of AIDS-related complications.
Fraternal twins are delivered by your Rh-negative patient. Twin A is Rh-positive and twin B is Rh-negative. Prior to administering Rho(D) immune globulin (RhoGAM), the nurse should determine the results of the
- A. direct Coombs test of twin A.
- B. direct Coombs test of twin B.
- C. indirect Coombs test of the mother.
- D. transcutaneous bilirubin level for both twins.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: indirect Coombs test of the mother. This test is crucial to determine if the mother has developed antibodies against the Rh-positive blood of twin A, which could lead to hemolytic disease of the newborn in future pregnancies. A direct Coombs test of twin A or twin B is not relevant in this scenario as it does not provide information about the mother's antibody status. Transcutaneous bilirubin levels are used to monitor jaundice in newborns and not related to Rh incompatibility. In summary, the indirect Coombs test of the mother is the most relevant test to assess the risk of hemolytic disease in future pregnancies.
A nurse is designing a form for lesbian, gay,bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) patients. Which design should the nurse use?
- A. Use partnered rather than married.
- B. Use mother rather than father.
- C. Use parents rather than guardian.
- D. Use wife/husband rather than significant other.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Use parents rather than guardian. This is the most inclusive and respectful choice for LGBT patients as it acknowledges different family structures. LGBT individuals may have non-traditional family dynamics, so using "parents" instead of "guardian" is more appropriate. Option A is incorrect because not all LGBT individuals are in partnerships. Option B is incorrect as it assumes traditional gender roles. Option D is incorrect as not all LGBT individuals may identify with the terms "wife" or "husband."
A patient diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma has arrived on the neurologic unit. When planning the patients care, the nurse should be aware that the effects of the tumor will primarily depend on what variable?
- A. Whether the tumor utilizes aerobic or anaerobic respiration
- B. The specific hormones secreted by the tumor
- C. The patients pre-existing health status
- D. Whether the tumor is primary or the result of metastasis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: The specific hormones secreted by the tumor. Pituitary adenomas are known to secrete hormones that can lead to various endocrine disorders. Understanding the specific hormones secreted by the tumor is crucial in determining the clinical manifestations and planning appropriate treatment. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the primary determinant of the effects of the tumor in this case is the hormonal activity rather than whether the tumor uses aerobic or anaerobic respiration, the patient's pre-existing health status, or whether the tumor is primary or metastatic.
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