In the UK, percutaneous cervical cordotomy is likely to be:
- A. Indicated in patients with unilateral pain due to cancer.
- B. Indicated in patients with non-malignant pain.
- C. Effective for neck pain.
- D. Deferred until less invasive techniques have been shown to be unsuccessful.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Percutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC) targets intractable pain in the UK. It's primarily indicated for unilateral cancer pain (e.g., mesothelioma), ablating the contralateral spinothalamic tract for relief below the lesion level. Non-malignant pain rarely justifies PCC due to its invasiveness and risks; alternatives like opioids suffice. Neck pain, above the typical C1-C2 entry, isn't effectively treated by PCC, which addresses lower body pain. CT guidance is common, not just fluoroscopy, for precision. It's a last resort after failed conservative treatments (e.g., nerve blocks), but the cancer-specific indication is primary unilateral pain's anatomical fit with PCC's mechanism (thermoablation) makes it a specialized palliative tool, balancing efficacy with procedural risk.
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A parent of a child with Wilms tumor asks the nurse about surgery. Which statement concerning the type of surgery for Wilms tumor is most accurate?
- A. Surgery is only done if chemotherapy and radiation fail.
- B. Surgery is usually performed within 24 to 48 hours of admission.
- C. Surgery is the least favorable therapy for the treatment of Wilms tumor.
- D. Surgery will be delayed until the child's overall health status improves.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Wilms tumor, a kidney cancer in children, is primarily treated with surgical resection (nephrectomy) as the cornerstone of therapy, typically performed within 24 to 48 hours of diagnosis to remove the tumor before it spreads. This urgency stems from its responsiveness to surgery and the need to stage the cancer accurately, guiding subsequent chemotherapy or radiation. Delaying surgery until chemotherapy or radiation fails is incorrect surgery is the initial step, not a last resort. It's not the least favorable option; rather, it's the preferred first-line treatment due to high cure rates when combined with adjuvant therapies. Waiting for health improvement isn't standard unless the child is critically unstable, which isn't typical at diagnosis. The nurse's accurate explanation reassures parents and underscores surgery's role, aligning with pediatric oncology protocols to optimize outcomes in Wilms tumor management.
A client admitted for sickle cell crisis is distraught after learning her child also has the disease. What response by the nurse is best?
- A. Both you and the father are equally responsible for passing it on
- B. There are many good treatments for sickle cell disease these days
- C. It's not your fault; there is no way to know who will have this disease
- D. It's understandable that you are upset about this news. Would you like to talk about what you're feeling?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sickle cell's genetic blow autosomal recessive hits emotionally. Acknowledging distress and offering to talk validates feelings, fostering coping over blame or facts alone. Blaming genetics risks guilt, while touting treatments sidesteps her pain. Denying fault misleads carriers are predictable via screening but misses empathy. Nurses prioritize therapeutic communication, opening dialogue to process this crisis, a compassionate bridge to support mother and child through sickle cell's lifelong challenges.
Which ONE of the following is consistent with scarlet fever:
- A. Punctate rash on neck and trunk
- B. Circumoral erythema
- C. Geographic tongue
- D. Only occurs in association with streptococcal pharyngitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Scarlet fever circumoral pallor, not erythema, rash, tongue, strep, peeling fit. Nurses spot this chronic strep face.
The Pulmonary rehabilitation program consists of several specific components. Which of the following are not a part of the program?
- A. Education and self-management
- B. Exercise training
- C. Coping measures to relieve anxiety, depression and changes in behaviour
- D. Spirometry
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pulmonary rehab builds COPD strength education, exercise, coping tools for mind and mood, all in. Spirometry's a test, not therapy diagnoses, doesn't train. Nurses skip it here, a chronic fix's focus.
The best way to prevent chronic complications of diabetes is to:
- A. Take medications as prescribed and remove sugar from the diet completely.
- B. Check feet daily for cuts, long toe nails and infections between the toes.
- C. Maintain a BGL that is as close to normal as possible.
- D. Undertake daily exercise to burn up the excess glucose in the system.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Preventing diabetes complications (e.g., neuropathy, retinopathy) hinges on glycemic control. Medications and sugar elimination help, but total sugar removal is impractical carbohydrates are broader, and control, not absence, matters. Daily foot checks prevent ulcers but address consequences, not root causes. Maintaining blood glucose levels (BGL) near normal (e.g., HbA1c <7%) via diet, exercise, and drugs prevents microvascular (kidney, eye) and macrovascular (heart) damage, per ADA guidelines. Exercise burns glucose, aiding control, but isn't singularly best' it's part of a triad. Tight BGL management reduces oxidative stress, glycation, and vascular injury, evidenced by trials (e.g., DCCT), making it the cornerstone strategy over isolated tactics, ensuring long-term organ protection.