The nurse is educating a group of nursing students about end-of-life care. Which statement by a student indicates the need for further teaching?
- A. Terminally ill patients may benefit from around-the-clock analgesics.
- B. Hospice care can be initiated when curative treatment is no longer effective.
- C. Hydration and nutrition should always be maintained until the patient dies.
- D. Emotional support is a key component of end-of-life care.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because maintaining hydration and nutrition until the patient dies is not always appropriate in end-of-life care, as some patients may be unable to tolerate oral intake or may be close to the end of life where artificial nutrition and hydration may not provide benefit and may even cause discomfort.
Explanation:
A: A is correct because terminally ill patients may indeed benefit from continuous pain management to ensure comfort.
B: B is correct because hospice care is typically initiated when curative treatment is no longer effective and focuses on providing comfort and quality of life.
D: D is correct because emotional support is crucial in end-of-life care to address the patient's psychological well-being and provide comfort.
In summary, choice C is incorrect as it does not consider individual patient needs and preferences in end-of-life care.
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The patient is undergoing a necessary but painful procedure that is greatly increasing her anxiety. The nurse decides to use guided imagery to help alleviate the patients anxiety. What is a key part of this technique?
- A. Provide the patient with an external focus point such as a picture.
- B. Have the patient take slow, shallow breaths while staring at a focus point.
- C. Have the patient remember tactile sensations of a pleasant experience.
- D. Encourage the patient to consciously relax all of her muscles.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because guided imagery involves using the patient's imagination to focus on pleasant sensory experiences. This helps distract the patient from the current situation and reduces anxiety. By remembering tactile sensations of a pleasant experience, the patient can create a calming mental image.
Choice A is incorrect because guided imagery does not require an external focus point like a picture. Choice B is incorrect because the technique does not involve staring at a focus point but rather focusing on mental images. Choice D is incorrect because while relaxation is beneficial, guided imagery specifically focuses on visualization of positive experiences to reduce anxiety.
Daily weights are being recorded for the patient with a urine output that has been less than the intravenous and oral intake. The weight yesterday was 97.5 kg. This morning it is 99 kg. The nurse understands that this corresponds to a(n)
- A. fluid retention of 1.5 liters.
- B. fluid loss of 1.5 liters.
- C. equal intake and output due to insensible losses.
- D. fluid loss of 0.5 liters.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: fluid retention of 1.5 liters. The weight gain from 97.5 kg to 99 kg indicates an increase in fluid retention. This difference of 1.5 kg corresponds to fluid retention of 1.5 liters, as 1 liter of water weighs approximately 1 kg. This weight gain suggests that the patient is retaining more fluid than they are excreting, leading to an increase in weight.
Incorrect choices:
B: fluid loss of 1.5 liters - This is incorrect because the weight increased, indicating fluid retention.
C: equal intake and output due to insensible losses - This is incorrect as weight increased, showing an imbalance in intake and output.
D: fluid loss of 0.5 liters - This is incorrect as the weight increased, indicating fluid retention, not loss.
An ICU nurse has provided excellent care for a 6-year-old girl who had been admitted to the ICU for a head injury. The nurse was attentive not only to the needs of the patient but also went out of her way to care for the needs of the girls family. According to research, which of the following forms of recognition would the nurse value the most?
- A. A card from the girls family
- B. A plaque from the ICU physicians naming her as Nurse of the Year
- C. A letter of commendation from the hospitals administration
- D. A bouquet of flowers from her supervisor
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A: A card from the girl's family. The nurse would value this form of recognition the most because it directly reflects the impact of her care on the patient and her family. It is a personal, heartfelt gesture that acknowledges the nurse's compassion and dedication. A card from the family shows genuine appreciation and gratitude for the nurse's efforts, making it the most meaningful form of recognition.
Summary:
- Choice B: A plaque from the ICU physicians could be seen as a formal recognition but lacks the personal touch and direct impact of the nurse's care on the patient and family.
- Choice C: A letter of commendation from the hospital's administration is a professional acknowledgment but may not capture the emotional connection and impact that the nurse had on the family.
- Choice D: A bouquet of flowers from her supervisor is a nice gesture but does not necessarily reflect the specific impact of the nurse's care on the patient and family.
The family is considering withdrawing life-sustaining measures from the patient. The nurse knows that ethical principles for withholding or withdrawi ng life-sustaining treatments include which of the following?
- A. Any treatment may be withdrawn and withheld, includ ing nutrition, antibiotics, and blood products.
- B. Doses of analgesic and anxiolytic medications must be adjusted carefully and should not exceed usual recommended limits.
- C. Life-sustaining treatments may be withdrawn while a patient is receiving paralytic agents.
- D. The goal of withdrawal and withholding of treatments is to hasten death and thus relieve suffering.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because it aligns with the ethical principle of patient autonomy, which emphasizes the patient's right to make decisions about their own care. Withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments, including nutrition, antibiotics, and blood products, respects the patient's autonomy. This choice also reflects the principle of beneficence, as it aims to prevent unnecessary suffering and respects the patient's wishes.
Option B is incorrect because it focuses on pain and anxiety management rather than the broader ethical considerations of withholding life-sustaining treatments.
Option C is incorrect because withdrawing life-sustaining treatments while a patient is receiving paralytic agents can pose additional risks and complications, potentially conflicting with the principles of nonmaleficence and beneficence.
Option D is incorrect because the primary goal of withdrawing or withholding treatments is not to hasten death but to respect the patient's autonomy and quality of life. This choice does not align with the ethical principles of patient-centered care.
A normal urine output is considered to be
- A. 80 to 125 mL/min.
- B. 180 L/day.
- C. 80 mL/min.
- D. 1 to 2 L/day.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D (1 to 2 L/day) because the average adult typically produces 1 to 2 liters of urine per day. This range is considered normal for maintaining proper hydration and eliminating waste products. Choice A (80 to 125 mL/min) is incorrect as it represents the rate of urine production per minute, which is not commonly used to measure daily urine output. Choice B (180 L/day) is unrealistic and far exceeds the normal range for urine output. Choice C (80 mL/min) is too low for daily urine output and would not be sufficient for adequate waste elimination.