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1. After a symptom is recognized, the first effort at treatment is often self-treatment. Which of the following statements is true about self-treatment?
- A. “Not recognized as valuable by most health care providers.”
- B. “Usually ineffective and may delay more effective treatment.”
- C. “Always less expensive than biomedical alternatives.”
- D. “Influenced by the accessibility of over-the-counter medicines.”
Correct answer: “Influenced by the accessibility of over-the-counter medicines.”
Rationale: After a symptom is identified, the first effort at treatment is often self-treatment. The availability of over-the-counter medications, the relatively high literacy level of Americans, and the influence of the internet and mass media in communicating health-related information to the general population have contributed to the high percentage of cases of self-treatment. Health care providers are recognizing the value of a wide variety of alternative, complementary, and traditional interventions. Many self-treatments, such as over-the-counter medications, are effective. Self-treatment is not always less expensive. Choice A is incorrect as health care providers are recognizing the value of self-treatment. Choice B is incorrect because self-treatment can be effective in many cases. Choice C is incorrect as self-treatment is not always less expensive; it depends on the specific treatment being used.
2. A mother brings her 5-week-old infant to the health care clinic and tells the nurse that the child has been vomiting after meals. The mother reports that the vomiting is becoming more frequent and forceful. The nurse suspects pyloric stenosis and asks the mother which assessment question to elicit data specific to this condition?
- A. Are the stools ribbon-like, and is the infant eating poorly?
- B. Does the infant suddenly become pale, begin to cry, and draw the legs up to the chest?
- C. Does the vomit contain sour, undigested food without bile, and is the infant constipated?
- D. Does the infant cry loudly and continuously during the evening hours but nurses or takes formula well?
Correct answer: Does the vomit contain sour, undigested food without bile, and is the infant constipated?
Rationale: Vomiting undigested food that is not bile stained and constipation are classic symptoms of pyloric stenosis. Stools that are ribbon-like and a child who is eating poorly are signs of congenital megacolon (Hirschsprung's disease). An infant who suddenly becomes pale, cries out, and draws the legs up to the chest is demonstrating physical signs of intussusception. Crying during the evening hours, appearing to be in pain, eating well, and gaining weight are clinical manifestations of colic.
3. A client has just been diagnosed with active tuberculosis. Which of the following nursing interventions should the nurse perform to prevent transmission to others?
- A. Begin drug therapy within 72 hours of diagnosis
- B. Place the client in a positive-pressure room
- C. Initiate standard precautions
- D. Place the client in a negative-pressure room
Correct answer: Place the client in a negative-pressure room
Rationale: A client diagnosed with active tuberculosis should be placed in isolation in a negative-pressure room to prevent transmission of infection to others. Placing the client in a negative-pressure room ensures that air is exhausted to the outside and received from surrounding areas, preventing tuberculin particles from traveling through the ventilation system and infecting others. Initiating standard precautions, as mentioned in choice C, is essential for infection control but is not specific to preventing transmission in the case of tuberculosis. Beginning drug therapy within 72 hours of diagnosis, as in choice A, is crucial for the treatment of tuberculosis but does not directly address preventing transmission. Placing the client in a positive-pressure room, as in choice B, is incorrect as positive-pressure rooms are used for clients with compromised immune systems to prevent outside pathogens from entering the room, which is not suitable for a client with active tuberculosis.
4. Which information about a 60-year-old patient with MS indicates that the nurse should consult with the healthcare provider before giving the prescribed dose of dalfampridine (Ampyra)?
- A. The patient has relapsing-remitting MS
- B. The patient walks a mile a day for exercise
- C. The patient complains of pain with neck flexion
- D. The patient has an increased serum creatinine level
Correct answer: The patient has an increased serum creatinine level
Rationale: The correct answer is that the patient has an increased serum creatinine level. Dalfampridine should not be given to patients with impaired renal function as it can worsen their condition. Options A, B, and C are unrelated to the administration of dalfampridine. The fact that the patient has relapsing-remitting MS, walks for exercise, or experiences neck pain does not directly impact the decision to administer dalfampridine. However, an increased serum creatinine level is a contraindication for this medication and requires consultation with the healthcare provider to determine the appropriate course of action.
5. After being medicated for anxiety, the client says to the nurse, 'I guess you are too busy to stay with me.' Which response by the nurse is correct?
- A. 'I’m so sorry, but I need to see other clients.'
- B. 'I have to go now, but I will come back in 10 minutes.'
- C. 'You’ll be able to rest after the medicine starts working.'
- D. 'You’ll feel better after I’ve made you more comfortable.'
Correct answer: 'I have to go now, but I will come back in 10 minutes.'
Rationale: The nurse should respond with empathy and reassurance to address the client's emotional needs. The correct response, 'I have to go now, but I will come back in 10 minutes,' acknowledges the client's feelings while providing a timeframe for the nurse's return, showing care and concern. Choice A, 'I’m so sorry, but I need to see other clients,' prioritizes other tasks over the client's emotional needs, which can increase anxiety. Choice C, 'You’ll be able to rest after the medicine starts working,' offers false reassurance and does not address the client's immediate emotional distress. Choice D, 'You’ll feel better after I’ve made you more comfortable,' does not acknowledge the client's concerns and fails to establish a supportive connection with the client.
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