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The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who is in card iogenic shock and has failed to respond to medical treatment. The primary care provider conducts a conference to explain that they have exhausted treatment options and suggest that the patient be made a “do not resuscitate” status. This scenario illustrates what medical concept?
- A. Brain death
- B. Futility
- C. Incompetence
- D. Life-prolonging procedures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Futility. In this scenario, the primary care provider suggests making the patient a "do not resuscitate" status because further medical treatment is deemed futile. Futility refers to situations where medical interventions are unlikely to achieve the desired outcome. This decision is made when the benefits of continuing treatment do not outweigh the burdens on the patient.
Summary:
A: Brain death does not apply here as the patient is not brain dead.
C: Incompetence refers to the patient's ability to make decisions, not the medical concept being illustrated.
D: Life-prolonging procedures are not being discussed; the focus is on the futility of further treatment.
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During the primary survey of a patient with severe leg trauma, the nurse observes that the patient’s left pedal pulse is absent and the leg is swollen. Which action will the nurse take next?
- A. Send blood to the lab for a complete blood count.
- B. Assess further for a cause of the decreased circulation.
- C. Finish the airway, breathing, circulation, and disability survey.
- D. Start normal saline fluid infusion with a large-bore IV line.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess further for a cause of the decreased circulation. The nurse should prioritize assessing the cause of the absent left pedal pulse and leg swelling to address the severe leg trauma effectively. This step involves identifying potential vascular compromise or compartment syndrome, which are critical conditions requiring immediate intervention. Sending blood for a complete blood count (A) is not the priority in this situation. Finishing the primary survey (C) may delay addressing the circulation issue. Starting normal saline infusion (D) without addressing the circulation problem first could potentially worsen the condition. Therefore, assessing further for the cause of decreased circulation is the most appropriate next step to ensure timely and appropriate management of the patient's condition.
The nurse wishes to assess the quality of a patient’s pain. Which questions is appropriate to obtain this assessment if the patient is able to give a verbal response?
- A. “Is the pain constant or intermittent?”
- B. “Is the pain sharp, dull, or crushing?”
- C. “What makes the pain better? Worse?”
- D. “When did the pain start?”
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking if the pain is sharp, dull, or crushing helps assess the quality of pain, providing specific information on the type of sensation felt. This is crucial for understanding the underlying cause and guiding appropriate treatment.
A: Asking about pain being constant or intermittent addresses duration, not quality.
C: Inquiring about what makes pain better or worse focuses on triggers, not quality.
D: Asking when the pain started addresses onset time, not quality.
What should a designated healthcare surrogate base healthcare decisions on?
- A. Personal beliefs and values
- B. Recommendations of family members and friends
- C. Recommendations of the physician and healthcare team
- D. Wishes previously expressed by the patient
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the healthcare surrogate should base decisions on recommendations of the physician and healthcare team who have the expertise to provide medical advice. They are best positioned to understand the patient's condition and treatment options. Personal beliefs (A) may not align with medical best practices. Family and friends' recommendations (B) may not be informed by medical knowledge. Wishes previously expressed by the patient (D) are important but may need to be interpreted in the context of the current medical situation, which healthcare professionals can provide.
The transplant clinic coordinator is evaluating relatives of a patient with end-stage renal disease, whose blood type is A positive, for suitability as aa bliirvb.icnogm /dteostn or for kidney transplantation. Which family member best qualifies for evaluation?
- A. A 65-year-old brother with a history of hypertension; b lood type A positive
- B. A 35-year-old female with a history of food allergies; blood type O negative
- C. A 14-year-old son, otherwise healthy with no history; blood type B negative
- D. A 70-year-old mother, with a history of sinus infection s; blood type A positive
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D, the 70-year-old mother with blood type A positive. This choice is the best candidate for evaluation due to her blood type matching the patient's (A positive) for kidney transplantation. Age and medical history are also crucial factors in determining suitability. The 65-year-old brother (choice A) has hypertension, a significant risk factor. The 35-year-old female (choice B) with food allergies may have potential complications. The 14-year-old son (choice C) is underage and might not be a suitable donor due to age and the potential impact on his growth and development. In summary, choice D aligns with the matching blood type and age, making the mother the most suitable candidate for evaluation.
The nurse notes premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) while suctioning a patient’s endotracheal tube. Which action by the nurse is a priority?
- A. Decrease the suction pressure to 80 mm Hg.
- B. Document the dysrhythmia in the patient’s chart.
- C. Stop and ventilate the patient with 100% oxygen.
- D. Give antidysrhythmic medications per protocol.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Stop and ventilate the patient with 100% oxygen. This is the priority action because PVCs can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias and inadequate oxygenation. By stopping suctioning and providing 100% oxygen, the nurse ensures proper oxygenation and ventilation, which takes precedence over addressing the dysrhythmia itself. Decreasing suction pressure (choice A) may not address the underlying issue and could potentially harm the patient. Documenting the dysrhythmia (choice B) is important but not as urgent as ensuring adequate oxygenation. Giving antidysrhythmic medications (choice D) should be done under the direction of a healthcare provider and is not the first-line intervention in this situation.