The nurse is caring for a client following radical neck dissection and creation of a tracheostomy. Which assessment finding would indicate an immediate need for intervention?
- A. Frequent swallowing
- B. Presence of mucous membranes
- C. Bubbling in the water-seal chamber
- D. Inspiratory stridor
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Inspiratory stridor is the correct answer as it suggests airway obstruction, a critical issue requiring immediate intervention. Frequent swallowing (choice A) is a common postoperative finding and does not indicate an immediate need for intervention. The presence of mucous membranes (choice B) is a normal finding and does not require immediate intervention. Bubbling in the water-seal chamber (choice C) of a chest tube drainage system is an expected finding and indicates proper functioning of the system, not an immediate need for intervention.
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A 58-year-old male patient has been hospitalized for a wedge resection of the left lower lung lobe after a routine chest x-ray shows carcinoma. The patient is anxious and asks if he can smoke. Which statement by the nurse would be most therapeutic?
- A. Smoking is the reason you are here.
- B. The doctor left orders for you not to smoke.
- C. You are anxious about the surgery. Do you see smoking as helping?
- D. Smoking is OK right now, but after your surgery it is contraindicated.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is the most therapeutic response as it acknowledges the patient's anxiety and encourages reflection on his behavior. This approach can help the patient explore his feelings and thoughts about smoking in relation to his surgery, promoting self-awareness and potentially opening the door for a constructive discussion. Choices A and B are more directive and may not address the underlying anxiety and need for reflection. Choice D is also somewhat permissive about smoking before surgery, which may not be in the patient's best interest.
A patient with Hodgkin lymphoma is receiving chemotherapy. Which side effect is the nurse most concerned about?
- A. Nausea and vomiting
- B. Alopecia
- C. Fatigue
- D. Peripheral neuropathy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, Peripheral neuropathy. This can be a serious and dose-limiting side effect of chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. Peripheral neuropathy can cause tingling, numbness, and pain in the hands and feet due to nerve damage. While nausea and vomiting, alopecia, and fatigue are common side effects of chemotherapy, they are not typically as concerning or dose-limiting as peripheral neuropathy in the context of Hodgkin lymphoma treatment.
A client who is at risk for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) has a serum fibrinogen level of 110 mg/dL. The nurse should take which of the following actions first?
- A. Recheck the fibrinogen level in 4 hours
- B. Notify the health care provider
- C. Continue to monitor the client
- D. Administer cryoprecipitate as prescribed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A serum fibrinogen level of 110 mg/dL indicates a low level, which puts the client at risk for bleeding in DIC. The priority action for the nurse is to notify the health care provider. Rechecking the fibrinogen level may delay necessary interventions, administering cryoprecipitate should be done based on the provider's prescription, and while monitoring is important, immediate notification of the provider is crucial to address the low fibrinogen level promptly.
The nurse is instructing a client to perform a testicular self-examination (TSE). What information should the nurse provide about the procedure?
- A. To examine the testicles while lying down
- B. That the best time for the examination is after a shower
- C. To gently feel the testicle with one finger to feel for a growth
- D. That testicular self-examinations should be done at least every 6 months
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. The best time to perform a testicular self-examination is after a warm shower when the scrotal skin is relaxed. This makes it easier to detect any abnormalities. Choice A is incorrect because the examination should ideally be done while standing. Choice C is incorrect as the client should use both hands to roll each testicle between the thumb and fingers to feel for any lumps or changes in size. Choice D is incorrect because testicular self-examinations are recommended to be done monthly, not every 6 months, to monitor changes in the testicles.
A nurse provides care on a bone marrow transplant unit and is preparing a female patient for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) the following day. What information should the nurse emphasize to the patient's family and friends?
- A. Your family should gather at the bedside in case there is a negative outcome.
- B. Ensure she abstains from eating any food 24 hours before the procedure.
- C. Wear a hospital gown when entering the patient's room.
- D. Avoid visiting if you've had a recent infection.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Avoid visiting if you've had a recent infection.' Before a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, it is essential for visitors to refrain from visiting if they have had a recent illness or vaccination to minimize the risk of infection to the patient. Choice A is incorrect because emphasizing a negative outcome is not beneficial to the patient or their family. Choice B is incorrect as it is not necessary to abstain from food for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Choice C is irrelevant to the situation as wearing a hospital gown is not the key information for family and friends to be aware of.