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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.
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A nurse who has been recently hired to manage the nursing staff of the ICU is concerned at the lack of evidence-based practice she sees among the staff. Which of the following would be the best step for her to take to promote incorporating evidence into clinical practice?
- A. Only hire nurses certified in critical care nursing.
- B. Leave copies of several different nursing journals in the nurses lounge.
- C. Demonstrate to the staff the best nursing-related search terms to use in Google orYahoo!
- D. Introduce the staff to the PubMed search engine and assign them topics to researchon it.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because introducing the staff to the PubMed search engine and assigning them topics to research on it is the most effective way to promote evidence-based practice. PubMed is a reputable database that contains a vast collection of peer-reviewed articles and research studies, making it a reliable source for evidence. By assigning specific topics, the nurse can ensure that the staff is focusing on relevant and current information, fostering a deeper understanding of evidence-based practice.
Choice A is incorrect because certification in critical care nursing does not guarantee a commitment to evidence-based practice. Choice B is not as effective as it relies on passive exposure to journals rather than active engagement with specific research topics. Choice C is not the best option as using general search terms on search engines like Google or Yahoo may lead to unreliable or outdated information.
Continuous venovenous hemofiltration is used to
- A. remove fluids and solutes through the process of convection.
- B. remove plasma water in cases of volume overload.
- C. remove plasma water and solutes by adding dialysate.
- D. combine ultrafiltration, convection, and dialysis.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) primarily removes fluids and solutes through the process of convection. In CVVH, blood flows through a filter where hydrostatic pressure drives plasma water and solutes across a semipermeable membrane. This process mimics the natural filtration that occurs in the kidneys. Choice B is incorrect because CVVH does not specifically target plasma water only but also removes solutes. Choice C is incorrect because CVVH does not involve adding dialysate to remove plasma water and solutes. Choice D is incorrect because while CVVH may involve ultrafiltration and convection, it does not typically include dialysis as a primary mechanism for solute removal.
The nurse obtains the pulse rate of 89 beats/minute for an infant before administering digoxin (Lanoxin). Which action should the nurse take?
- A. Withhold the medication and contact the healthcare provider.
- B. Give the medication dosage as scheduled.
- C. Assess respiratory rate for one minute next.
- D. Wait 30 minutes and give half of the dosage of medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Infants typically have higher resting heart rates than adults, so a pulse rate of 89 beats/minute for an infant may indicate bradycardia. Digoxin can further lower the heart rate, leading to potential adverse effects like arrhythmias. Therefore, withholding the medication and contacting the healthcare provider is crucial to ensure the safety of the infant.
Choice B is incorrect because administering digoxin without addressing the elevated pulse rate can be dangerous. Choice C is incorrect as assessing respiratory rate does not address the immediate concern of the elevated pulse rate. Choice D is also incorrect as waiting and giving half of the dosage may further exacerbate the situation.
The nurse is assessing a client and identifies a bruit over the thyroid. This finding is consistent with which interpretation?
- A. Hypothyroidism.
- B. Thyroid cyst.
- C. Thyroid cancer.
- D. Hyperthyroidism.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The presence of a bruit over the thyroid indicates increased blood flow, characteristic of hyperthyroidism. This excess blood flow is due to the hypermetabolic state in hyperthyroidism, leading to turbulent blood flow and the audible bruit. A bruit is not typically associated with hypothyroidism, thyroid cysts, or thyroid cancer, as these conditions do not cause increased blood flow. Therefore, the correct interpretation is hyperthyroidism.
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.