You are caring for a patient who has just been told that his illness is progressing and nothing more can be done for him. After the physician leaves, the patient asks you to stay with him for a while. The patient becomes tearful and tries several times to say something, but cannot get the words out. What would be an appropriate response for you to make at this time?
- A. Can I give you some advice?
- B. Do you need more time to think about this?
- C. Is there anything you want to say?
- D. I have cared for lots of patients in your position. It will get easier.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: This response shows empathy and allows the patient to express their thoughts and feelings without feeling rushed or pressured. By asking the patient if there is anything they want to say, you are showing that you are there to listen and support them during this difficult time. It is important to give the patient the space and opportunity to communicate their emotions and concerns. Offering advice or making assumptions about the patient's feelings may not be as helpful as simply providing a listening ear.
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A patients current antiretroviral regimen includes nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). What dietary counseling will the nurse provide based on the patients medication regimen?
- A. Avoid high-fat meals while taking this medication.
- B. Limit fluid intake to 2 liters a day.
- C. Limit sodium intake to 2 grams per day.
- D. Take this medication without regard to meals.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are a class of antiretroviral medications typically recommended to be taken without regard to meals. This means that these medications can be taken with or without food. It is important to follow the specific instructions provided by the healthcare provider regarding the timing of medication administration. Taking NRTIs without regard to meals helps ensure consistent absorption of the medication and can help maintain steady drug levels in the body. There are no specific dietary restrictions associated with NRTIs in terms of meal timing or composition.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has undergone a mastoidectomy. In an effort to prevent postoperative infection, what intervention should the nurse implement?
- A. Teach the patient about the risks of ototoxic medications.
- B. Instruct the patient to protect the ear from water for several weeks.
- C. Teach the patient to remove cerumen safely at least once per week.
- D. Instruct the patient to protect the ear from temperature extremes until healing is complete.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: After a mastoidectomy, the ear should be protected from water for several weeks. This is because exposing the area to water can increase the risk of infection. Keeping the ear dry allows the surgical site to heal properly and reduces the likelihood of postoperative complications such as infection. Therefore, instructing the patient to protect the ear from water is an important intervention to prevent postoperative infection following a mastoidectomy.
A patient who has AIDS is being treated in the hospital and admits to having periods of extreme anxiety. What would be the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Teach the patient guided imagery.
- B. Give the patient more control of her antiretroviral regimen.
- C. Increase the patients activity level.
- D. Collaborate with the patients physician to obtain an order for hydromorphone.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with AIDS experiencing extreme anxiety is to teach the patient guided imagery. Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that can help the patient reduce anxiety levels, promote a sense of calm, and improve overall well-being. By teaching the patient how to use guided imagery, the nurse empowers the patient to manage her anxiety in a non-pharmacological way. This intervention promotes self-care and allows the patient to have a tool to use independently beyond the hospital setting. Giving the patient more control of her antiretroviral regimen may be beneficial for adherence but does not directly address the anxiety symptoms. Increasing the patient's activity level may be helpful for overall well-being but may not specifically target the extreme anxiety. Collaborating with the patient's physician to obtain an order for hydromorphone, a potent opioid medication, is not appropriate unless it is indicated for severe pain management, not anxiety.
A patient has a documented history of allergies presents to the clinic. She states that she is frustrated by her chronic nasal congestion, anosmia (inability to smell) and inability to concentrate. The nurse should identify which of the following nursing diagnoses?
- A. Deficient Knowledge of Self-Care Practices Related to Allergies
- B. Ineffective Individual Coping with Chronicity of Condition and Need for Environmental Modification
- C. Acute Confusion Related to Cognitive Effects of Allergic Rhinitis
- D. Disturbed Body Image Related to Sequelae of Allergic Rhinitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient's frustration with chronic nasal congestion, anosmia, and inability to concentrate indicates difficulty coping with the long-term nature of her condition and the impact it has on her daily life. Additionally, her desire for relief suggests a need for environmental modifications to help manage her symptoms. This nursing diagnosis encompasses the patient's emotional response to her condition, as well as the potential need for changes in her surroundings to better support her health and well-being.
A nurse is evaluating a nursing assistive personnel’s(NAP) care for a patient with an indwelling catheter. Which action by the NAP will cause the nurse to intervene?
- A. Emptying the drainage bag when half full
- B. Kinking the catheter tubing to obtain a urine specimen
- C. Placing the drainage bag on the side rail of the patient’s bed
- D. Securing the catheter tubing to the patient’s thigh
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Placing the drainage bag on the side rail of the bed could allow the bag to be raised above the level of the bladder and urine to flow back into the bladder. The urine in the drainage bag is a medium for bacteria; allowing it to reenter the bladder can cause infection. A key intervention to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections is prevention of urine back flow from the tubing and bag into the bladder. All the other actions are correct procedures and do not require immediate follow-up. The drainage bag should be emptied when it is half full to prevent tension and pulling on the catheter, which could result in trauma to the urethra and increase the risk for urinary tract infections. Urine specimens are traditionally obtained by temporarily kinking the tubing, while securing the catheter tubing to the patient’s thigh prevents catheter dislodgment and tissue injury.