Which of the following is the most critical intervention needed for a client with myxedema coma?
- A. Administering an oral dose of levothyroxine (Synthroid)
- B. Warming the client with a warming blanket
- C. Measuring and recording accurate intake and output
- D. Maintaining a patent airway
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administering an oral dose of levothyroxine (Synthroid). In myxedema coma, there is severe hypothyroidism leading to altered mental status, hypothermia, and organ failure. Administering levothyroxine is crucial to replace the deficient thyroid hormone rapidly and restore metabolic function. Warming the client (B) is important but secondary to addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance. Measuring intake and output (C) is essential for overall assessment but not the most critical intervention. Maintaining a patent airway (D) is always important in any medical emergency but does not directly address the primary issue of hypothyroidism in myxedema coma.
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The nurse begins a shift assessment by examining a surgical dressing that is saturated with serosanguineous drainage on a patient who had open abdominal surgery yesterday (or 1 day ago). Which type of assessment approach is the nurse using?
- A. Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns
- B. Activity-exercise pattern assessment
- C. General to specific assessment
- D. Problem-oriented assessment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: General to specific assessment. In this scenario, the nurse is starting with a broad assessment of the surgical dressing, which is a general observation, before moving on to more specific details. This approach allows the nurse to gather comprehensive information systematically.
A: Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns involves assessing a patient's health across several categories, not specifically related to wound care.
B: Activity-exercise pattern assessment focuses on the patient's physical activity and exercise routines, not the wound dressing.
D: Problem-oriented assessment involves identifying and addressing specific health issues, rather than starting with a general observation like the appearance of a surgical dressing.
60 year-old Mrs. Torres arrived just in time for her doctor’s appointment. She complains of pain and stiffness in her back. She is suspected of having osteoporosis. Nurse Ariane will inform Mrs. Torres that the primary complication of osteoporosis is:
- A. Increased trabeculae
- B. poor posture
- C. chronic pain
- D. fractures
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: fractures. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more prone to fractures. Fractures are the primary complication of osteoporosis due to decreased bone density. Increased trabeculae (A) is incorrect as osteoporosis leads to decreased bone density, not increased. Poor posture (B) may be a result of osteoporosis but is not its primary complication. Chronic pain (C) can occur with osteoporosis but is not as directly linked as fractures.
Which of the following positions would be most appropriate for a patient with right-sided paralysis following a stroke?
- A. On the side with support to the back, with pillows to keep the body in alignment, hips slightly flexed, and hands tightly holding a rolled washcloth.
- B. On the side with support to the back, pillows to keep the body in alignment, hips slightly flexed, and a washcloth placed so that fingers are slightly curled.
- C. On the back with two large pillows under the head, pillow under" the knees, and a footboard.
- D. On the back with no pillows used, with trochanter rolls and a footboard.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Placing the patient on the side with support to the back, pillows for body alignment, and a washcloth to slightly curl the fingers helps prevent contractures, aids in maintaining proper alignment, and provides support for the affected side. This position also promotes optimal blood flow and prevents pressure sores.
Choice A is incorrect because tightly holding a rolled washcloth can restrict blood flow and cause discomfort. Choice C is incorrect as lying on the back with pillows under the head and knees does not address the specific needs of right-sided paralysis. Choice D is incorrect as trochanter rolls may not provide adequate support for the paralyzed side, and no pillows can lead to pressure sores and discomfort.
A patient is admitted with a 2-month history of fatigue, SOB, pallor, and dizziness. The patient is diagnosed with idiopathic autoimmune haemolytic anemia. On reviewing the laboratory results, the nurse notes which of the following that confirms this diagnosis?
- A. RBC fragments
- B. Microcytic, hypochromic RBCs
- C. Macrocytic, normochromic RBCs
- D. Hemoglobin molecules
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: RBC fragments. In idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the immune system attacks and destroys red blood cells, leading to hemolysis. The presence of RBC fragments in the blood smear confirms this diagnosis as it indicates mechanical damage to RBCs.
Explanation:
1. RBC fragments (schistocytes) are a hallmark of hemolysis, seen in conditions like autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
2. Microcytic, hypochromic RBCs (Choice B) are typically seen in iron deficiency anemia, not autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
3. Macrocytic, normochromic RBCs (Choice C) are characteristic of megaloblastic anemias like vitamin B12 deficiency, not autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
4. Hemoglobin molecules (Choice D) are not directly indicative of autoimmune hemolytic anemia; the presence of free hemoglobin in the blood would suggest intrav
A client is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder. When teaching the client and family about autoimmune disorders, the nurse should provide which information?
- A. Clients with autoimmune disorders may have false-negative but not false-positive serologic tests
- B. Advanced medical interventions can cure most autoimmune disorders
- C. Autoimmune disorders include connective tissue (collagen) disorders
- D. Autoimmune disorders are distinctive, adding differential diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct Answer: C - Autoimmune disorders include connective tissue (collagen) disorders.
Rationale: Autoimmune disorders involve the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells and tissues in the body, which can lead to various conditions, including connective tissue disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Providing this information to the client and family is crucial for understanding the nature of autoimmune disorders and the potential impact on the body.
Summary of other choices:
A: False-negative or false-positive serologic tests can occur in autoimmune disorders, so this statement is not specific enough to be the most appropriate information to provide.
B: Advanced medical interventions can manage symptoms but not cure autoimmune disorders, making this statement inaccurate and misleading.
D: Autoimmune disorders can present with a wide range of symptoms and can be challenging to diagnose, but this statement does not address the specific link between autoimmune disorders and connective tissue disorders.