The nurse is planning the care of a patient who is adapting to the use of a hearing aid for the first time. What is the most significant challenge experienced by a patient with hearing loss who is adapting to using a hearing aid for the first time?
- A. Regulating the tone and volume
- B. Learning to cope with amplification of background noise
- C. Constant irritation of the external auditory canal
- D. Challenges in keeping the hearing aid clean while minimizing exposure to moisture
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: One of the most significant challenges experienced by patients with hearing loss who are adapting to using a hearing aid for the first time is learning to cope with the amplification of background noise. When a person starts using a hearing aid after experiencing hearing loss, they may find that the device picks up not only the sounds they want to hear but also surrounding noises, such as background chatter, traffic noise, or ambient sounds. This sudden increase in volume and clarity of background noise can be overwhelming and challenging for the individual to adjust to. It can affect their ability to focus on conversations or specific sounds they are trying to hear, leading to frustration and potentially causing them to avoid using the hearing aid altogether. Supporting the patient in gradually acclimating to these new sounds and providing strategies for managing background noise can help improve their overall experience with the hearing aid.
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A male patient with a metastatic brain tumor is having a generalized seizure and begins vomiting. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Perform oral suctioning.
- B. Page the physician.
- C. Insert a tongue depressor into the patients mouth.
- D. Turn the patient on his side.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When a patient is experiencing a seizure and begins vomiting, the priority action for the nurse is to turn the patient onto their side. This position helps to prevent aspiration, which can occur when the patient inhales vomit into their lungs. Turning the patient on their side allows for the vomit to drain out of the mouth, reducing the risk of aspiration and maintaining a clear airway. Performing oral suctioning would be necessary after turning the patient on their side, but it is not the initial priority in this situation. Paging the physician and inserting a tongue depressor are not appropriate actions during a seizure and vomiting episode.
A middle-aged female patient has been offered testing for HIV/AIDS upon admission to the hospital for an unrelated health problem. The nurse observes that the patient is visibly surprised and embarrassed by this offer. How should the nurse best respond?
- A. Most women with HIV dont know they have the disease. If you have it, its important we catch it early.
- B. This testing is offered to every adolescent and adult regardless of their lifestyle, appearance or history.
- C. The rationale for this testing is so that you can begin treatment as soon as testing comes back, if its positive.
- D. Youre being offered this testing because you are actually in the prime demographic for HIV infection.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Option B is the best response for the nurse to provide in this situation. By stating that the testing is offered to every adolescent and adult regardless of lifestyle, appearance, or history, the nurse conveys that HIV testing is a standard practice and not targeting the patient specifically. This can help reduce the patient's feeling of embarrassment or stigma associated with the offer of testing. It also emphasizes the importance of universal screening for HIV to promote early detection and treatment, regardless of risk factors or demographics. This response helps maintain the patient's dignity and encourages them to consider the testing in a non-judgmental way.
An uncircumcised 78-year-old male has presented at the clinic complaining that he cannot retract his foreskin over his glans. On examination, it is noted that the foreskin is very constricted. The nurse should recognize the presence of what health problem?
- A. Bowens disease
- B. Peyronies disease
- C. Phimosis
- D. Priapism
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin of the penis is tight and cannot be retracted over the glans. It can occur in uncircumcised males, like the 78-year-old male in this scenario. Phimosis may lead to difficulty with hygiene, pain during sexual activity, and an increased risk of infections. Treatment may involve conservative measures such as topical corticosteroids or, in severe cases, surgical intervention like circumcision to alleviate the tightness of the foreskin.
The nurse is part of the health care team at an oncology center. A patient has been diagnosed with leukemia and the prognosis is poor, but the patient is not yet aware of the prognosis. How can the bad news best be conveyed to the patient?
- A. Family should be given the prognosis first.
- B. The prognosis should be delivered with the patient at eye level.
- C. The physician should deliver the news to the patient alone.
- D. The appointment should be scheduled at the end of the day.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When delivering bad news to a patient, it is important to create an environment that is supportive, compassionate, and conducive to effective communication. Having the patient at eye level when discussing difficult information helps to establish a sense of equality and respect between the healthcare provider and the patient. This can increase the patient's comfort level and help them feel more connected and engaged in the conversation. Additionally, eye level communication allows for better non-verbal cues to be exchanged, such as eye contact and facial expressions, which are important for conveying empathy and understanding during such sensitive discussions. It is crucial for the patient to be met at eye level, both physically and emotionally, when discussing a poor prognosis like the diagnosis of leukemia.
While assessing the patient at the beginning of the shift, the nurse inspects a surgical dressing covering the operative site after the patients cervical diskectomy. The nurse notes that the drainage is 75% saturated with serosanguineous discharge. What is the nurses most appropriate action?
- A. Page the physician and report this sign of infection.
- B. Reinforce the dressing and reassess in 1 to 2 hours.
- C. Reposition the patient to prevent further hemorrhage.
- D. Inform the surgeon of the possibility of a dural leak.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take when observing the surgical dressing saturated with serosanguineous drainage is to reinforce the dressing and reassess in 1 to 2 hours. Serosanguineous discharge is a common type of drainage following surgery, as it is a mixture of blood and serum. It is expected in the early stages of wound healing and does not necessarily indicate infection. By reinforcing the dressing and closely monitoring the drainage over the next couple of hours, the nurse can assess if the amount of drainage is decreasing or escalating. If there are any signs of infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling, or excessive purulent discharge, then the nurse should notify the physician promptly. Until then, it is appropriate to continue observing and managing the drainage within the expected range.