When providing palliative care, the nurse must keep in mind that the family may include which of the following? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Unmarried life partners of same sex
- B. Unmarried life partners of opposite sex
- C. Roommates
- D. Close friends
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Unmarried life partners of same sex. When providing palliative care, it's crucial to recognize and respect diverse family structures. Unmarried life partners of the same sex may form a significant familial bond, requiring support and involvement in care decisions. This choice aligns with the principles of inclusivity and non-discrimination in palliative care.
Incorrect choices:
B: Unmarried life partners of the opposite sex - This choice is incorrect as it limits the definition of family to only opposite-sex partners, excluding same-sex couples.
C: Roommates - While roommates may provide support, they do not necessarily have the same level of emotional and decision-making involvement as family members or life partners.
D: Close friends - While close friends can be important sources of support, they do not necessarily have the same legal or emotional ties as a life partner.
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The nurse is assessing a client who complains of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty sleeping. The nurse determines the client has moist skin with fine hair, prominent eyes, lid retraction, and a staring expression. These findings are consistent with which disorder?
- A. Grave's disease.
- B. Multiple sclerosis.
- C. Addison's disease.
- D. Cushing syndrome.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Step 1: Symptoms of weight loss, racing heart rate, and difficulty sleeping are common in hyperthyroidism.
Step 2: Presence of moist skin, fine hair, prominent eyes, lid retraction, and staring expression are classic signs of Grave's disease, a type of hyperthyroidism.
Step 3: Grave's disease is an autoimmune disorder where the thyroid gland is overactive, leading to excessive production of thyroid hormones.
Step 4: Excess thyroid hormones increase metabolic rate, causing weight loss, racing heart rate, and insomnia.
Step 5: Therefore, the findings described in the question are consistent with Grave's disease.
Which action is a priority for the nurse to take when the low-pressure alarm sounds for a patient who has an arterial line in the left radial artery?
- A. Fast flush of the arterial line.
- B. Check the left hand for pallor.
- C. Assess for cardiac dysrhythmias.
- D. Rezero the monitoring equipment.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): When the low-pressure alarm sounds for a patient with an arterial line, the nurse should assess for cardiac dysrhythmias first. This is because a sudden drop in pressure could indicate a serious issue affecting the heart's ability to pump effectively. Identifying and addressing any cardiac dysrhythmias promptly is crucial for patient safety.
Summary of Incorrect Choices:
A: Fast flush of the arterial line - This would not address the underlying cause of the low-pressure alarm and may not be necessary.
B: Check the left hand for pallor - While assessing perfusion is important, it is not the priority when the alarm indicates a potential cardiac issue.
D: Rezero the monitoring equipment - While important for accuracy, it is not the priority when the alarm indicates a potential cardiac concern.
When rewarming a patient who arrived in the emergency department (ED) with a temperature of 87°F (30.6°C), which assessment indicates that the nurse should discontinue active rewarming?
- A. The patient begins to shiver.
- B. The BP decreases to 86/42 mm Hg.
- C. The patient develops atrial fibrillation.
- D. The core temperature is 94°F (34.4°C).
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. When rewarming a hypothermic patient, the goal is to gradually increase their core temperature. A core temperature of 94°F (34.4°C) is still below the normal range, but it indicates that the rewarming process is working. Shivering (A) is a normal response to rewarming. A decrease in blood pressure (B) may be expected due to peripheral vasodilation during rewarming. Developing atrial fibrillation (C) may be a concern but does not necessarily indicate that rewarming should be discontinued. Therefore, choice D is correct as it signifies progress in the rewarming process.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone major abdominal surgery. The nurse notices that the patient’s urine output has been less than 20 mL/hour for the past 2 hours. The patient’s blood pressure is 100/60 mm Hg, and the pulse is 110 beats/min. Previously, the pulse was 90 beats/min with a blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg. The nurse should
- A. contact the provider and expect a prescription for a normal saline bolus.
- B. wait until the provider makes rounds to report the assessment findings.
- C. continue to evaluate urine output for 2 more hours.
- D. ignore the urine output, as this is most likely postrenal in origin.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: contact the provider and expect a prescription for a normal saline bolus. The patient is showing signs of hypovolemia with decreased urine output, low blood pressure, and elevated heart rate. This indicates inadequate perfusion and potential hypovolemic shock. Administering a normal saline bolus will help restore intravascular volume and improve perfusion. Waiting for the provider to make rounds (option B) could delay necessary intervention. Continuing to evaluate urine output for 2 more hours (option C) is not appropriate given the patient's current condition. Ignoring the urine output (option D) is dangerous as it could lead to further complications.
A patient in hospice care is experiencing dyspnea. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Position the patient flat on their back.
- B. Administer oxygen as prescribed.
- C. Restrict fluid intake to reduce congestion.
- D. Perform chest physiotherapy to improve breathing.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer oxygen as prescribed. Dyspnea in a hospice patient often indicates respiratory distress, and administering oxygen can help improve oxygenation and alleviate breathing difficulty. Positioning the patient flat on their back (A) may worsen dyspnea due to increased pressure on the diaphragm. Restricting fluid intake (C) is not appropriate as dehydration can exacerbate respiratory distress. Chest physiotherapy (D) may not be suitable for a hospice patient experiencing dyspnea as it can be physically taxing and may not address the underlying cause effectively.