The nurse develops the following hypothesis: Elderly women receive less aggressive treatment for terminally-ill spine patients than younger women. Which variable would be considered to be the independent variable?
- A. Degree of treatment received
- B. Age of the patient
- C. Use of inpatient treatment
- D. Type of complications being treated
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The independent variable in an experiment is the variable that is manipulated or determined by the researcher. In this hypothesis, the nurse is suggesting that the age of the patient (elderly vs. younger) influences the aggressiveness of treatment received. Therefore, the age of the patient is the independent variable in this scenario. The dependent variable would be the degree of treatment received, as it is expected to be influenced by the independent variable, which is the age of the patient.
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Which of the following conditions is characterized by the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types and is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer?
- A. Condyloma acuminatum
- B. Lichen sclerosus
- C. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)
- D. Trichomoniasis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is a premalignant condition of the cervix that is characterized by the presence of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types. HPV infection is a major risk factor for the development of cervical cancer. CIN is typically detected on routine cervical screening tests such as Pap smears or HPV testing. If left untreated, CIN can progress to invasive cervical cancer. Therefore, the presence of high-risk HPV types in CIN lesions indicates an increased risk of developing cervical cancer.
The patient during labor would anticipate some emotional support. Which of the following nursing interventions should Nurse Sarah provide to keep the patient calm?
- A. Giving praise for her the sense of satisfaction regarding quick labor.
- B. Support in maintaining a sense of control.
- C. Explanation of the effect of labor on the newborn.
- D. Allowing the patient to express pain and anxiety
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Support in maintaining a sense of control is essential in keeping the patient calm during labor. Giving the patient a sense of control allows them to feel empowered and more in charge of their experience. This can help reduce anxiety and fear, ultimately promoting a more positive and calm labor experience. Providing emotional support by assisting the patient in maintaining control can greatly benefit their overall emotional well-being during this stressful time.
A patient presents with sudden-onset unilateral headache, along with ipsilateral ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis. Which of the following neurological conditions is most likely responsible for these symptoms?
- A. Cluster headache
- B. Migraine headache
- C. Tension-type headache
- D. Trigeminal neuralgia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The presentation described in the question – sudden-onset unilateral headache along with ipsilateral ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis – is characteristic of Horner syndrome. Horner syndrome is caused by disruption of the sympathetic nerve pathway and can occur in trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful condition affecting the trigeminal nerve commonly characterized by sudden and severe facial pain that can be triggered by various stimuli. The involvement of the sympathetic pathway in trigeminal neuralgia can lead to Horner syndrome symptoms such as ptosis (drooping eyelid), miosis (constricted pupil), and anhidrosis (lack of sweating) on the affected side of the face. Cluster headaches usually involve severe unilateral pain around the eye, but they do not typically present with Horner syndrome symptoms. Migraine and tension-type headaches also do not typically present with Horner syndrome symptoms.
A patient expresses dissatisfaction with the care received during their hospital stay. What is the nurse's best response?
- A. Dismiss the patient's concerns and reassure them that the care provided was adequate.
- B. Listen actively to the patient's concerns, apologize for any shortcomings, and offer to address the issues.
- C. Ignore the patient's dissatisfaction and proceed with discharge procedures.
- D. Tell the patient that their concerns are unfounded and unwarranted.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best response for a nurse when a patient expresses dissatisfaction with the care they received during their hospital stay is to listen actively to the patient's concerns, apologize for any shortcomings, and offer to address the issues. It is crucial for healthcare providers to acknowledge the patient's perspective, validate their feelings, and work towards resolving any issues that may have contributed to their dissatisfaction. This approach demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to patient-centered care, fostering trust and effective communication between the patient and the healthcare team. Dismissing the patient's concerns (option A), ignoring their dissatisfaction (option C), or telling them that their concerns are unfounded (option D) can further escalate the situation and lead to a breakdown in the patient-provider relationship.
A patient presents with sudden onset of severe vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and nystagmus. The patient reports a recent upper respiratory tract infection. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?
- A. Vestibular neuritis
- B. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- C. Ménière's disease
- D. Acoustic neuroma
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The sudden onset of severe vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and nystagmus in a patient with a recent upper respiratory tract infection is highly suggestive of vestibular neuritis. Vestibular neuritis is typically caused by inflammation of the vestibular nerve, often following a viral infection such as an upper respiratory tract infection. This condition presents with acute, severe, continuous vertigo without associated hearing loss. The presence of nystagmus, along with the absence of hearing loss, helps differentiate vestibular neuritis from Meniere's disease (which typically presents with episodic vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus) and acoustic neuroma (which presents with gradual onset of symptoms including unilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and imbalance). Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) typically presents with brief episodes of vertigo triggered by specific head movements, rather than the continuous vertigo seen in this case.