Nokea
While assessing a client’s skin, the nurse notes the presence of several large red-blue and purple areas on the client’s body that do not blanch when pressure is applied. The nurse documents this finding using which term?
- A. Psoriasis
- B. Anasarca
- C. Petechiae
- D. Ecchymosis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Ecchymosis refers to a large patch of capillary bleeding into the tissues, commonly known as a bruise. The color of such an area changes from red-blue or purple to green, yellow, and brown before the area disappears. Pressure on the area will not cause it to blanch. Psoriasis is characterized by scaly erythematous patches with silvery scales on top, usually found on specific areas like the scalp, elbows, knees, low back, and anogenital area. Anasarca is bilateral or generalized edema, indicating a central problem like congestive heart failure or kidney failure. Petechiae are tiny purple or red spots resulting from tiny hemorrhages within the dermal and subdermal areas. Therefore, in this case, the correct term to document the described finding is Ecchymosis.
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A contraindication for topical corticosteroid use in a client with atopic dermatitis (eczema) is:
- A. parasite infection
- B. viral infection
- C. fungal infection
- D. spirochete infection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Topical corticosteroids increase the risk of disseminated viral infections (e.g., herpes) in eczema due to localized immunosuppression, making viral infections a contraindication.
A nurse is preparing to auscultate a client's breath sounds. To assess vesicular breath sounds, the nurse places the stethoscope over which area?
- A. Major bronchi
- B. The xiphoid process
- C. The trachea and larynx
- D. The peripheral lung fields
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To assess vesicular breath sounds, the nurse should place the stethoscope over the peripheral lung fields. Vesicular breath sounds are heard in these areas where air flows through the smaller bronchioles and alveoli. Bronchovesicular breath sounds, not vesicular, are heard over the major bronchi. Bronchial (tracheal) breath sounds are heard over the trachea and larynx, not vesicular sounds. Breath sounds are not heard over the xiphoid process, making it an incorrect choice.
A nurse monitoring a newborn infant notes that the infant's respirations are 40 breaths/min. On the basis of this finding, what is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?
- A. Contacting the registered nurse
- B. Documenting the findings
- C. Wrapping an extra blanket around the infant
- D. Placing the infant in an oxygen tent
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The normal respiratory rate of a newborn infant is 30 to 60 breaths/min, with an average of 40. Since the infant's respiratory rate falls within the normal range, the most appropriate action for the nurse is to document the findings. Contacting the registered nurse, placing the infant in an oxygen tent, or wrapping an extra blanket around the infant are unnecessary actions as the respiratory rate is normal. Documenting the findings is important to provide a record of the assessment and serve as a baseline for future comparisons if needed.
A nurse is caring for a pregnant client in the labor unit who suddenly experiences spontaneous rupture of the membranes. On inspecting the amniotic fluid, the nurse notes that it is clear, with creamy white flecks. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take based on this finding?
- A. Check the client's temperature.
- B. Report the findings to the nurse-midwife.
- C. Obtain a sample of the amniotic fluid for laboratory analysis.
- D. Document the findings.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Amniotic fluid should be clear and may include bits of vernix, the creamy white fetal skin lubricant. Therefore, the nurse would most appropriately document the findings. Checking the client's temperature, reporting the findings to the nurse-midwife, and obtaining a sample of the amniotic fluid for laboratory analysis are not necessary in this situation. Cloudy, yellow, or foul-smelling amniotic fluid suggests infection, while green fluid indicates that the fetus passed meconium before birth. If abnormalities are noted, the nurse should notify the nurse-midwife.
The chemotherapeutic DNA alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustards are effective because they:
- A. cross-link DNA strands with covalent bonds between alkyl groups on the drug and guanine bases on DNA.
- B. have few, if any, side effects.
- C. are used to treat multiple types of cancer.
- D. are cell-cycle-specific agents.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alkylating agents are highly reactive chemicals that introduce alkyl radicals into biologically active molecules and thereby prevent their proper functioning, replication, and transcription. Choice 2 is incorrect because alkylating agents have numerous side effects including alopecia, nausea, vomiting, and myelosuppression. Choice 3 is incorrect because nitrogen mustards have a broad spectrum of activity against chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and breast and ovarian cancer, but they are effective chemotherapeutic agents because of DNA crosslinkage. Choice 4 is incorrect because alkylating agents are non-cell-cycle-specific agents.