Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient who tells the nurse that she has noticed increasing headaches with dizziness, abdominal bloating, and unexplained anxiety occurring before her menstrual periods. Which of the following actions is best for the nurse to take at this time?
- A. Ask the patient to write down her symptoms in a diary for 3 months.
- B. Suggest that the patient try aerobic exercise to decrease her symptoms.
- C. Teach the patient about appropriate lifestyle changes to reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.
- D. Advise the patient to use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen to control symptoms.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The patient's symptoms indicate possible PMS, but they may also be associated with other diagnoses. Having the patient keep a symptom diary for 2 or 3 months will help in confirming a diagnosis of PMS. The nurse should not implement interventions for PMS until a diagnosis is made.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which of the following information about a patient indicates that the nurse will need to teach the patient about endometrial biopsy?
- A. The patient has had 6 full-term pregnancies.
- B. The patient has 3-4 alcoholic drinks daily.
- C. The patient has used various oral contraceptives since she was 20 years old.
- D. The patient has a family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Patients with a personal or familial history of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer are at increased risk for endometrial cancer. Alcohol addiction does not increase this risk. Multiple pregnancies and oral contraceptive use offer protection from endometrial cancer.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has a large cystocele and has not voided since admission 8 hours previously. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
- A. Insert a straight catheter per the PRN order.
- B. Encourage the patient to increase oral fluids.
- C. Notify the health care provider of the inability to void.
- D. Assess for urinary retention.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Since urinary retention is common with a large cystocele, the nurse's first action should be to assess for the presence of urine in the bladder. The other actions may be appropriate, depending on the findings of the physical assessment.
A patient who is scheduled for a Pap test tells the nurse that she has had intercourse during the last year with several men. Which of the following information should the nurse teach to the patient?
- A. Contraceptive use
- B. Antibiotic therapy
- C. Chlamydia testing
- D. Pregnancy testing
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chlamydia testing is recommended annually for women with multiple sex partners. There is no indication that the patient needs teaching about contraceptives, pregnancy testing, or antibiotic therapy.
The nurse is planning an educational session at a local community centre related to health promotion during menopause. Which of the following information should the nurse include related to management of hot flashes?
- A. Limit daily calcium intake
- B. Vitamin E daily supplement
- C. Have a glass of wine before bedtime
- D. Daily rigorous exercise in the evening
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Daily intake of vitamin E in doses up to 800 IU may help reduce hot flashes in some women. Changing sleep patterns may be helped by avoiding alcohol and controlling hot flashes. A regular moderate program (three to four times per week) of aerobic and weight-bearing exercises is appropriate but it has no effect on hot flashes.
The nurse is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. Which of the following information is most important for the nurse to teach the patient?
- A. Reasons for a total hysterectomy
- B. How to decrease facial hair growth
- C. Ways to reduce the occurrence of acne
- D. Methods to maintain appropriate weight
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Obesity exacerbates the problems associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The nurse will also address the problems of acne and hirsutism, but these symptoms are lower priority because they do not have long-term health consequences. Although some patients do require total hysterectomy, this is usually performed only after other therapies have been unsuccessful.