Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient who is scheduled for a cervical discectomy the following day. During health education, the patient should be made aware of what potential complications?
- A. Vertebral fracture
- B. Hematoma at the surgical site
- C. Scoliosis
- D. Renal trauma
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hematoma at the surgical site. This is a potential complication of cervical discectomy due to the risk of bleeding post-surgery. Hematoma can compress nearby structures and lead to increased pain and swelling.
A: Vertebral fracture is not a typical complication of cervical discectomy, as the surgery aims to relieve pressure on the spinal cord caused by a herniated disc, not to cause fractures.
C: Scoliosis is a condition characterized by abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, and it is not directly related to cervical discectomy.
D: Renal trauma is not a common complication of cervical discectomy, as the surgery focuses on the cervical spine and does not involve the kidneys or renal system.
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A patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is being visited by the home health nurse who is creating a care plan. What nursing diagnosis is most likely for a patient with this condition?
- A. Chronic confusion
- B. Impaired urinary elimination
- C. Impaired verbal communication
- D. Bowel incontinence
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Impaired verbal communication. In ALS, motor neurons deteriorate leading to muscle weakness and atrophy, including those involved in speech production. This results in impaired verbal communication. Chronic confusion (A) is not a common manifestation of ALS. Impaired urinary elimination (B) and bowel incontinence (D) are not typically associated with ALS, as it primarily affects motor neurons, not autonomic functions.
A patient, who delivered her third child yesterday, has just learned that her two school-age children have contracted chickenpox. What should the nurse tell her?
- A. Her two children should be treated with acyclovir before she goes home from the hospital.
- B. The baby will acquire immunity from her and will not be susceptible to chickenpox.
- C. The children can visit their mother and baby in the hospital as planned but must wear gowns and masks.
- D. She must make arrangements to stay somewhere other than her home until the children are no longer contagious.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: She must make arrangements to stay somewhere other than her home until the children are no longer contagious.
1. The patient's newborn is at risk of contracting chickenpox from the infected children.
2. Chickenpox can be severe in newborns due to their immature immune systems.
3. It is crucial to protect the newborn by ensuring they are not exposed to the virus.
4. Staying elsewhere until the children are no longer contagious will prevent transmission to the newborn.
Incorrect choices:
A: Acyclovir is not recommended for prophylactic treatment in this situation.
B: Immunity is not automatically transferred from the mother to the baby for chickenpox.
C: Allowing the infected children to visit with precautions is not sufficient to protect the newborn.
A 23-year-old woman comes to the free clinic stating I think I have a lump in my breast. Do I have cancer? The nurse instructs the patient that a diagnosis of breast cancer is confirmed by what?
- A. Supervised breast self-examination
- B. Mammography
- C. Fine-needle aspiration
- D. Chest x-ray
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mammography. Mammography is the gold standard for diagnosing breast cancer as it can detect abnormalities such as lumps or tumors in the breast tissue. It provides detailed images that can help healthcare providers identify suspicious areas that may require further testing or biopsy. Supervised breast self-examination (choice A) is important for early detection but is not a diagnostic tool. Fine-needle aspiration (choice C) is a procedure used to obtain a sample of cells for further analysis but is not definitive for diagnosing breast cancer. Chest x-ray (choice D) is used to evaluate the lungs and heart, not the breast tissue for cancer.
A nurse is inserting an indwelling urinary catheterfor a male patient. Which action will the nurse take?
- A. Hold the shaft of the penis at a 60-degree angle.
- B. Hold the shaft of the penis with the dominant hand.
- C. Cleanse the meatus 3 times with the same cotton ball from clean to dirty.
- D. Cleanse the meatus with circular strokes beginning at the meatus and working outward.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because cleansing the meatus with circular strokes starting at the meatus and moving outward helps prevent the introduction of bacteria into the urethra. This technique minimizes the risk of urinary tract infections. Holding the shaft at a 60-degree angle (A) or with the dominant hand (B) is not necessary for catheter insertion. Cleansing the meatus 3 times with the same cotton ball (C) can introduce more bacteria and is not recommended.
During the admission assessment of an HIV-positive patient whose CD4+ count has recently fallen, the nurse carefully assesses for signs and symptoms related to opportunistic infections. What is the most common life-threatening infection?
- A. Salmonella infection
- B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- C. Clostridium difficile
- D. Pneumocystis pneumonia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Pneumocystis pneumonia. This is the most common life-threatening infection in HIV-positive patients with low CD4+ counts. Pneumocystis pneumonia is caused by the opportunistic pathogen Pneumocystis jirovecii, which can lead to severe respiratory distress and mortality in immunocompromised individuals. The other choices, A: Salmonella infection, B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and C: Clostridium difficile, can also cause infections in HIV-positive patients, but they are not as commonly associated with life-threatening complications in this population compared to Pneumocystis pneumonia. It is crucial for the nurse to prioritize assessment for signs and symptoms of Pneumocystis pneumonia in this patient to promptly intervene and prevent further complications.