A second-year nursing student has just suffered a needlestick while working with a patient that is positive for AIDS. Which of the following is the most significant action that the nursing student should take?
- A. Immediately see a social worker
- B. Start prophylactic AZT treatment
- C. Start prophylactic Pentamidine treatment
- D. Seek counseling
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Starting prophylactic AZT treatment is the most critical intervention in this scenario. Azidothymidine (AZT) is an antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS by reducing the replication of the virus. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV involves taking medication to suppress the virus and prevent infection after exposure. PEP should be initiated within 72 hours of potential HIV exposure to be effective. Seeking treatment quickly is crucial to enhance its effectiveness. Seeing a social worker (Choice A) may be helpful for emotional support but is not the immediate priority. Pentamidine treatment (Choice C) is not indicated for post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Seeking counseling (Choice D) is important for the nursing student's emotional well-being but does not address the urgent need for post-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV transmission.
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The healthcare professional notices that a colleague is preparing to check the blood pressure of a patient who is obese by using a standard-sized blood pressure cuff. How would this likely affect the blood pressure reading?
- A. Yield a falsely low blood pressure
- B. Yield a falsely high blood pressure
- C. Be the same, regardless of cuff size
- D. Vary as a result of the technique of the person performing the assessment
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Using a cuff that is too narrow for an obese patient would likely yield a falsely high blood pressure reading. This occurs because the standard cuff is too small for the arm's circumference, requiring more pressure to compress the artery. A tight cuff can lead to inaccurate and elevated blood pressure readings. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because using an improperly sized cuff would not yield a falsely low blood pressure, the blood pressure reading does vary with cuff size, and the technique of the person performing the assessment is not the primary factor affecting the reading in this situation.
The nurse is teaching a student nurse about the different types of thermometers. When teaching the student about the advantages of the tympanic membrane thermometer (TMT), which statement would the nurse include?
- A. "Measuring temperature using the TMT is cost-effective."?
- B. "The rapid measurement of the TMT is beneficial for uncooperative younger children."?
- C. "TMT is not recommended for measuring core body temperature in newborn infants."?
- D. "TMT is not the preferred method for measuring body temperature in patients with otitis media."?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is "The rapid measurement of the TMT is beneficial for uncooperative younger children." TMT is ideal for young children who may not cooperate for oral temperatures or fear rectal temperatures. However, using TMT for newborn infants is not recommended due to inconsistencies in results. Measuring temperature with TMT is not necessarily cost-effective. The most accurate method for measuring core temperature is through rectal temperatures. TMT may not be the preferred method for patients with otitis media due to potential inaccuracies caused by fluid behind the tympanic membrane.
When a sequence of repeated weights is necessary, the healthcare provider should aim to weigh the patient at the same time of day and with consistent clothing. Using a standardized balance or electronic standing scale is recommended for accurate measurements. The patient should remove shoes and heavy outer clothing. It is not required for the patient to always be weighed in undergarments. What is the most appropriate indicator of the patient's overall well-being?
- A. General health
- B. Genetic makeup
- C. Nutritional status
- D. Activity and exercise patterns
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Weight measurements are essential to assess general health, particularly in monitoring growth patterns. Height and weight recordings are crucial indicators of overall well-being, reflecting the individual's health status. Genetic makeup does not change with weight fluctuations, making it an inappropriate indicator. Nutritional status and activity levels can influence weight but are not as comprehensive as general health in reflecting overall well-being.
The nurse is assessing children in a pediatric clinic. Which statement is true regarding the
measurement of blood pressure in children?
- A. Blood pressure guidelines for children are based on age.
- B. Phase II Korotkoff sounds are the best indicator of systolic blood pressure in
children. - C. Using a Doppler device is recommended for accurate blood pressure measurements
until adolescence.
- D. The disappearance of phase V Korotkoff sounds can be used for the diastolic
reading in children.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The disappearance of phase V Korotkoff sounds can be used for the diastolic reading in children, as
well as in adults. Blood pressure guidelines for children are based on more than just age, but also sex
and height. Phase I Korotkoff, not Phase II, is the best indicator of systolic blood pressure. The true
statement regarding the measurement of blood pressure in children is that the disappearance of phase
V Korotkoff sounds can be used for the diastolic reading in children, as well as in adults.
A 60-year-old patient has been treated for pneumonia for the past 6 weeks. The patient is seen today in the clinic for an unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds over the last 6 weeks. Which is an appropriate rationale for this patient's weight loss?
- A. Chronic diseases such as hypertension do not usually cause weight loss.
- B. Weight loss is more likely due to underlying medical conditions than unhealthy eating habits.
- C. Unexplained weight loss often accompanies short-term illnesses.
- D. Weight loss is not typically caused by mental health dysfunctions.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Unexplained weight loss in a patient with pneumonia could indicate an underlying short-term illness or a chronic condition like endocrine disease, malignancy, depression, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia. Hypertension is not commonly associated with weight loss; it usually leads to weight gain due to fluid retention. Unhealthy eating habits are less likely to explain significant unexplained weight loss over a short period. Mental health dysfunctions can affect appetite but are not typically primary causes of significant unexplained weight loss.