The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a mastoidectomy. In an effort to prevent postoperative infection, what intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Teach the patient about the risks of ototoxic medications.
- B. Instruct the patient to protect the ear from water for several weeks.
- C. Teach the patient to remove cerumen safely at least once per week.
- D. Instruct the patient to protect the ear from temperature extremes until healing is complete.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After a mastoidectomy, the ear should be protected from water for several weeks. This is because exposing the area to water can increase the risk of infection. Keeping the ear dry allows the surgical site to heal properly and reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications such as infection. Therefore, instructing the patient to protect the ear from water is an important intervention to prevent postoperative infection following a mastoidectomy.
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A patient has a documented history of allergies presents to the clinic. She states that she is frustrated by her chronic nasal congestion, anosmia (inability to smell) and inability to concentrate. The nurse should identify which of the following nursing diagnoses?
- A. Deficient Knowledge of Self-Care Practices Related to Allergies
- B. Ineffective Individual Coping with Chronicity of Condition and Need for Environmental Modification
- C. Acute Confusion Related to Cognitive Effects of Allergic Rhinitis
- D. Disturbed Body Image Related to Sequelae of Allergic Rhinitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's frustration with chronic nasal congestion, anosmia, and inability to concentrate indicates difficulty coping with the long-term nature of her condition and the impact it has on her daily life. Additionally, her desire for relief suggests a need for environmental modifications to help manage her symptoms. This nursing diagnosis encompasses the patient's emotional response to her condition, as well as the potential need for changes in her surroundings to better support her health and well-being.
The nurse is monitoring a patient with severe preeclampsia who is on IV magnesium sulfate. Which signs of magnesium toxicity should the nurse monitor for? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Cool, clammy skin
- B. Altered sensorium
- C. Pulse oximeter reading of 95%
- D. Respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The signs of magnesium toxicity that the nurse should monitor for in a patient with severe preeclampsia on IV magnesium sulfate include an altered sensorium (confusion, lethargy, slurred speech) and a respiratory rate of less than 12 breaths per minute. Altered sensorium is a common symptom of magnesium toxicity, reflecting the drug's central nervous system depressant effects. A decreased respiratory rate can indicate respiratory depression, a potentially serious complication of magnesium toxicity. Monitoring for these signs is crucial to promptly identifying and managing magnesium toxicity in patients on magnesium sulfate therapy. Signs such as cool, clammy skin and a pulse oximeter reading of 95% would not be indicative of magnesium toxicity.
A 50-year-old man diagnosed with leukemia will begin chemotherapy. What would the nurse do to combat the most common adverse effects of chemotherapy?
- A. Administer an antiemetic.
- B. Administer an antimetabolite.
- C. Administer a tumor antibiotic.
- D. Administer an anticoagulant.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common adverse effects of chemotherapy. Administering an antiemetic helps to prevent or reduce these symptoms in patients undergoing chemotherapy. By managing nausea and vomiting, the patient's overall well-being and quality of life during treatment can be improved. Therefore, providing an antiemetic medication is essential in combating these adverse effects and promoting patient comfort and compliance with treatment.
A nurse is providing care to a group of patients.Which situation will require the nurse to obtain a telephone order?
- A. As the nurse and health care provider leave a patient’s room, the primary care provider gives the nurse an order.
- B. At 0100, a patient’s blood pressure drops from 120/80 to 90/50, and the incision dressing is saturated with blood.
- C. At 0800, the nurse and health care provider make rounds, and the primary care provider tells the nurse a diet order.
- D. A nurse reads an order correctly as written by the health care provider in the patient’s medical record
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this situation, the nurse needs to obtain a telephone order because the patient's condition has changed significantly. The drop in blood pressure from 120/80 to 90/50 along with the saturated incision dressing indicates a potential complication or need for immediate intervention. The nurse must act quickly to address the situation and may require additional orders from the primary care provider over the phone to manage the patient's condition effectively. The urgency and critical nature of the situation necessitate obtaining a telephone order promptly to ensure the best outcome for the patient.
A patients current antiretroviral regimen includes nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). What dietary counseling will the nurse provide based on the patients medication regimen?
- A. Avoid high-fat meals while taking this medication.
- B. Limit fluid intake to 2 liters a day.
- C. Limit sodium intake to 2 grams per day.
- D. Take this medication without regard to meals.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are a class of antiretroviral medications typically recommended to be taken without regard to meals. This means that these medications can be taken with or without food. It is important to follow the specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider regarding the timing of medication administration. Taking NRTIs without regard to meals helps ensure consistent absorption of the medication and can help maintain steady drug levels in the body. There are no specific dietary restrictions associated with NRTIs in terms of meal timing or composition.