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A patient with terminal cancer reports a sudden onset of severe pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Assess the patient’s pain using a standardized pain scale.
- B. Administer a PRN dose of prescribed analgesic.
- C. Notify the healthcare provider about the patient’s pain.
- D. Reposition the patient to enhance comfort.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assess the patient’s pain using a standardized pain scale. The first step is to assess the severity and nature of the pain to determine the appropriate intervention. This allows the nurse to understand the pain intensity and characteristics, which guides the choice of analgesic and dosing. Administering analgesics (B) without proper assessment can lead to inappropriate treatment. Notifying the healthcare provider (C) is important but assessing the pain should come first. Repositioning the patient (D) may provide comfort but addressing the pain directly is the priority.
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The family members of a patient who has just been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with multiple traumatic injuries have just arrived in the ICU waiting room. Which action should the nurse take next?
- A. Explain ICU visitation policies and encourage family visits.
- B. Immediately take the family members to the patient’s bedside.
- C. Describe the patient’s injuries and the care that is being provided.
- D. Invite the family to participate in a multidisciplinary care conference.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Explain ICU visitation policies and encourage family visits. This is the best course of action because it prioritizes the needs of the family members by providing them with information on visitation policies and encouraging them to visit the patient. This helps establish communication, support, and involvement in the patient's care. It also respects the family's emotional needs during a challenging time.
Choices B, C, and D are incorrect:
B: Immediately taking the family members to the patient's bedside may overwhelm them and disrupt the patient's care.
C: Describing the patient's injuries and care being provided should be done in a more controlled environment to ensure the family's understanding and emotional readiness.
D: Inviting the family to a multidisciplinary care conference may be premature without first addressing their immediate concerns and providing support.
One of the strategies shown to reduce perception of stress in critically ill patients and their families is support of spirituality. What nursing action is most clearly supportive of the patients spirituality?
- A. Referring patients to the Catholic chaplain
- B. Providing prayer booklets to patients and families
- C. Asking about beliefs about the universe
- D. Avoiding discussing religion with those of other faiths
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because asking about beliefs about the universe allows the nurse to understand the patient's spiritual needs and provide appropriate support. This action shows respect for the patient's beliefs and can help establish a connection between the patient and the nurse. Referring patients to a specific religious figure (choice A) may not align with the patient's beliefs. Providing prayer booklets (choice B) assumes the patient's belief system and may not be helpful. Avoiding discussing religion (choice D) can hinder the nurse-patient relationship and overlook potential sources of support for the patient.
The nurse cares for a terminally ill patient who is experiencing pain that is continuous and severe. How should the nurse schedule the administration of opioid pain medications?
- A. Give around-the-clock routine administration of analgesics.
- B. Provide PRN doses of medication whenever the patient requests.
- C. Offer enough pain medication to keep the patient sedated.
- D. Suggest analgesic doses that provide pain control without decreasing respiratory rate.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Give around-the-clock routine administration of analgesics. This is the best approach for managing continuous and severe pain in a terminally ill patient. By providing scheduled doses of opioid pain medications, the nurse ensures a consistent level of pain relief, preventing peaks and troughs in pain control. This approach also helps in preventing the patient from experiencing unnecessary suffering.
Choice B (PRN doses) may lead to inadequate pain control as the patient may wait too long before requesting medication. Choice C (keeping the patient sedated) is not appropriate as the goal is pain management, not sedation. Choice D (balancing pain control and respiratory rate) is important, but the priority should be on effectively managing the pain first.
Which of the following is (are) official journal(s) of the A merican Association of Critical-Care Nurses? (Select all that apply.)
- A. American Journal of Critical Care
- B. Critical Care Clinics of North America
- C. Critical Care Nurse
- D. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) publishes the American Journal of Critical Care (AJCC).
2. The AJCC is a peer-reviewed journal that covers critical care nursing practice, research, and education.
3. The content in AJCC aligns with AACN's mission and standards for critical care nursing.
4. Hence, AJCC is an official journal of AACN.
Summary of other choices:
- B: Critical Care Clinics of North America - Not an official journal of AACN.
- C: Critical Care Nurse - Not an official journal of AACN.
- D: Critical Care Nursing Quarterly - Not an official journal of AACN.
A male client is angry and is leaving the hospital against medical advice (AMA). The client demands to take his chart with him and states the chart is 'his' and he doesn’t want any more contact with the hospital. How should the nurse respond?
- A. This hospital does not need to keep it if you are leaving and not returning here.
- B. Because you are leaving against medical advice, you may not have your chart.
- C. The information in your chart is confidential and cannot leave this facility legally.
- D. The chart is the property of the hospital but I will see that a copy is made for you.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because the client's medical chart is the property of the hospital, but the client has the right to a copy of the information. By offering to make a copy of the chart for the client, the nurse respects the client's autonomy while also ensuring that the hospital maintains the original medical record. This response balances the client's rights with legal and ethical considerations.
Choice A is incorrect because the hospital is legally obligated to maintain the client's medical record even if the client leaves against medical advice. Choice B is incorrect as it denies the client access to their medical information, which goes against the principle of patient autonomy. Choice C is also incorrect as it does not address the client's request for a copy of their chart.