The nurse is performing a physical assessment on a client with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Which client complaint calls for immediate nursing action?
- A. Diaphoresis and shakiness
- B. Reduced sensation in the lower leg
- C. Intense thirst and hunger
- D. Painful hematoma on thigh
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Diaphoresis and shakiness are classic signs of hypoglycemia in a client with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent further complications. The nurse should address this complaint promptly by providing a fast-acting source of glucose to raise the client's blood sugar levels. Reduced sensation in the lower leg may indicate peripheral neuropathy, which is a common complication of diabetes but does not require immediate action unless there are signs of injury. Intense thirst and hunger are symptoms of hyperglycemia, which also requires intervention but not as urgently as hypoglycemia. A painful hematoma on the thigh may require assessment and management, but it is not as urgent as addressing hypoglycemia.
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After 3 days, the nurse notes that James has chest indrawing and stridor. His mother returned him to the health center immediately. The nurse should:
- A. Change the antibiotic to second-line antibiotics
- B. Advise the mother to observe the child and continue giving the antibiotics
- C. Give the first dose of antibiotics and refer urgently
- D. Observe the child at the center
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Chest indrawing and stridor are signs of severe respiratory distress. In this situation, immediate referral is essential. Giving the first dose of antibiotics before referral can help initiate treatment, but urgent referral for further evaluation and management is crucial. Choice A is incorrect because simply changing the antibiotic without assessing the severity of the symptoms and providing urgent care is not appropriate. Choice B is incorrect as advising the mother to observe the child and continue antibiotics delays necessary intervention for a potentially life-threatening condition. Choice D is incorrect as observing the child at the center is not sufficient when signs of severe illness are present.
How do integrative models of human health see health factors?
- A. derived solely from physical phenomena
- B. intertwined and interactive, with multiple components such as physical, psychological, and social
- C. generally being attributable to psychosocial problems in individuals
- D. effective only when combined and integrated with alternative therapies
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Integrative models of human health consider health factors as intertwined and interactive, involving various components like physical, psychological, and social aspects. This holistic approach recognizes that health is influenced by a combination of factors, not just physical phenomena (choice A). While psychosocial problems can impact health, integrative models go beyond attributing health solely to psychosocial issues (choice C). Additionally, integrative models do not imply that health is effective only when combined with alternative therapies (choice D), but rather emphasize the interconnectedness of various health components.
As a client who is terminally ill has been receiving high doses of an opioid analgesic for the past month and becomes unresponsive to verbal stimuli as death approaches, what orders would the nurse expect from the healthcare provider?
- A. Decrease the analgesic dosage by half
- B. Discontinue the analgesic
- C. Continue the same analgesic dosage
- D. Prescribe a less potent drug
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Continuing the same dosage of analgesic is appropriate to manage pain effectively as death nears and the client becomes unresponsive. The primary goal of palliative care in end-of-life situations is to ensure comfort, regardless of the client's level of consciousness. Decreasing the analgesic dosage or discontinuing it could lead to inadequate pain relief, which goes against the principles of palliative care. Prescribing a less potent drug may also compromise pain management in this critical stage. Therefore, maintaining the same analgesic dosage is the most appropriate action to provide comfort and alleviate suffering.
Which of the following is the most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases in a community?
- A. Regular health check-ups
- B. Isolation of infected individuals
- C. Immunization programs
- D. Public health education
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Immunization programs are the most effective way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Vaccinations help build immunity against specific diseases, reducing the likelihood of an outbreak. Regular health check-ups (Choice A) are important for individual health but do not directly prevent the spread of diseases on a community level. Isolation of infected individuals (Choice B) is a containment measure rather than prevention for the entire community. Public health education (Choice D) is valuable in raising awareness but may not be as effective as immunization programs in directly preventing the spread of communicable diseases.
A school nurse is assessing a child who has frequent absences from school due to asthma. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?
- A. Teaching the child how to use an inhaler
- B. Assessing the child's asthma management plan
- C. Discussing the importance of school attendance with the parents
- D. Referring the child to a pulmonologist
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the child's asthma management plan. This is the priority action as it allows the nurse to evaluate the current treatment regimen, identify any gaps or areas for improvement, and ensure that the plan is being effectively implemented. Teaching the child how to use an inhaler (Choice A) may be important but should come after assessing the management plan. Discussing the importance of school attendance with the parents (Choice C) is secondary to ensuring proper asthma management. Referring the child to a pulmonologist (Choice D) may be necessary but is not the priority at this stage; first, the nurse needs to evaluate the current plan in place.