A patient with chronic open-angle glaucoma is being taught to self-administer pilocarpine. After the patient administers the pilocarpine, the patient states that her vision is blurred. Which nursing action is most appropriate?
- A. Holding the next dose and notifying the physician
- B. Treating the patient for an allergic reaction
- C. Suggesting that the patient put on her glasses
- D. Explaining that this is an expected adverse effect
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Blurred vision is a common adverse effect of pilocarpine, a miotic agent commonly used for open-angle glaucoma. It occurs due to the constriction of the pupil, which can affect the patient's ability to focus clearly. Therefore, it is important for the nurse to explain to the patient that blurred vision is an expected adverse effect of the medication. This reassurance can help alleviate the patient's concerns and improve their understanding of the medication therapy. Holding the next dose and notifying the physician is not necessary in this situation as blurred vision is a known side effect and treating the patient for an allergic reaction or suggesting that the patient put on her glasses would not address the underlying cause of the blurred vision.
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A nurse is evaluating a nursing assistive personnel’s(NAP) care for a patient with an indwelling catheter. Which action by the NAP will cause the nurse to intervene?
- A. Emptying the drainage bag when half full
- B. Kinking the catheter tubing to obtain a urine specimen
- C. Placing the drainage bag on the side rail of the patient’s bed
- D. Securing the catheter tubing to the patient’s thigh
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the drainage bag on the side rail of the bed could allow the bag to be raised above the level of the bladder and urine to flow back into the bladder. The urine in the drainage bag is a medium for bacteria; allowing it to reenter the bladder can cause infection. A key intervention to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections is prevention of urine back flow from the tubing and bag into the bladder. All the other actions are correct procedures and do not require immediate follow-up. The drainage bag should be emptied when it is half full to prevent tension and pulling on the catheter, which could result in trauma to the urethra and increase the risk for urinary tract infections. Urine specimens are traditionally obtained by temporarily kinking the tubing, while securing the catheter tubing to the patient’s thigh prevents catheter dislodgment and tissue injury.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a mastoidectomy. In an effort to prevent postoperative infection, what intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Teach the patient about the risks of ototoxic medications.
- B. Instruct the patient to protect the ear from water for several weeks.
- C. Teach the patient to remove cerumen safely at least once per week.
- D. Instruct the patient to protect the ear from temperature extremes until healing is complete.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After a mastoidectomy, the ear should be protected from water for several weeks. This is because exposing the area to water can increase the risk of infection. Keeping the ear dry allows the surgical site to heal properly and reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications such as infection. Therefore, instructing the patient to protect the ear from water is an important intervention to prevent postoperative infection following a mastoidectomy.
The nurse is part of the health care team at an oncology center. A patient has been diagnosed with leukemia and the prognosis is poor, but the patient is not yet aware of the prognosis. How can the bad news best be conveyed to the patient?
- A. Family should be given the prognosis first.
- B. The prognosis should be delivered with the patient at eye level.
- C. The physician should deliver the news to the patient alone.
- D. The appointment should be scheduled at the end of the day.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When delivering bad news to a patient, it is important to create an environment that is supportive, compassionate, and conducive to effective communication. Having the patient at eye level when discussing difficult information helps to establish a sense of equality and respect between the healthcare provider and the patient. This can increase the patient's comfort level and help them feel more connected and engaged in the conversation. Additionally, eye level communication allows for better non-verbal cues to be exchanged, such as eye contact and facial expressions, which are important for conveying empathy and understanding during such sensitive discussions. It is crucial for the patient to be met at eye level, both physically and emotionally, when discussing a poor prognosis like the diagnosis of leukemia.
Which of the following individuals would be the most appropriate candidate for immunotherapy?
- A. A patient who had an anaphylactic reaction to an insect sting
- B. A child with allergies to eggs and dairy
- C. A patient who has had a positive tuberculin skin test
- D. A patient with severe allergies to grass and tree pollen
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a form of treatment that can help reduce symptoms for individuals with severe allergies to substances such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. This treatment involves exposing the patient to small, increasing doses of the allergen over time to help the immune system gradually build up a tolerance. Patients with severe allergies to grass and tree pollen would most likely benefit from immunotherapy as it can help reduce their allergy symptoms and improve their quality of life. On the other hand, individuals with anaphylactic reactions to insect stings (Choice A), allergies to eggs and dairy (Choice B), or a positive tuberculin skin test (Choice C) are not typically candidates for immunotherapy as their conditions are not related to the type of allergies that are commonly treated with this method.
The nurse is providing care for a patient who has benefited from a cochlear implant. The nurse should understand that this patients health history likely includes which of the following? Select all that apply.
- A. The patient was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss.
- B. The patients hearing did not improve appreciably with the use of hearing aids.
- C. The patient has deficits in peripheral nervous function.
- D. The patients hearing deficit is likely accompanied by a cognitive deficit. E) The patient is unable to lip-read.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A. The patient was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss.