Nursing Elites

1. If a patient complains of dizziness, which term below best describes this feeling?

• A. Contraindication
• B. Sign
• C. Objective data
• D. Symptom

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Symptom.' Dizziness is a symptom because it is a subjective experience reported by the patient. A 'contraindication' refers to a specific situation in which a drug, procedure, or surgery should not be used because it may be harmful. A 'sign' is an objective finding that can be observed or measured. 'Objective data' refers to measurable and observable information about a patient's condition, which is usually obtained through physical examination or diagnostic tests. Therefore, in this case, 'Symptom' is the best term to describe the patient's feeling of dizziness.

2. In a postmenopausal woman, what condition can be prevented by administering estradiol (Estraderm)?

• A. Endometriosis
• B. Amenorrhea
• C. Osteoporosis
• D. Uterine cancer

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Osteoporosis. Estradiol, a form of estrogen, is used to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women by maintaining bone density. Choice A, Endometriosis, is incorrect as estradiol is not used to prevent or treat this condition. Choice B, Amenorrhea, is not prevented by estradiol but rather may result from hormonal changes. Choice D, Uterine cancer, is not directly prevented by estradiol; in fact, long-term unopposed estrogen use can increase the risk of uterine cancer.

3. When teaching a patient about the use of finasteride (Proscar) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), what should the nurse emphasize about the expected outcomes of this therapy?

• A. Expect improvement in symptoms within a few days.
• B. Improvement in symptoms may take several weeks or months.
• C. Expect immediate improvement in urinary flow.
• D. The medication will cure BPH after treatment is complete.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The effects of finasteride in treating BPH may take several weeks or months to become noticeable as it works by shrinking the prostate gland over time. Therefore, patients should be informed that improvement in symptoms may not be immediate. Choice A is incorrect because improvement in symptoms is not expected within a few days. Choice C is incorrect as immediate improvement in urinary flow is not typical with finasteride. Choice D is incorrect because finasteride manages BPH symptoms but does not cure the condition.

4. A patient arrives at her follow-up appointment 1 month post-hysterectomy and complains to the nurse that her scars do not seem to be healing properly. Upon inspection, the nurse notices that the scars are raised but still within the boundaries of the original incisions. The nurse tells the patient this kind of dysfunctional wound healing is called:

• A. Hypertrophic scarring
• B. Dehiscence
• C. Contracture
• D. A keloid

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Hypertrophic scarring occurs when a scar is raised but remains within the boundaries of the original wound, unlike keloids, which extend beyond the wound edges. Dehiscence refers to the separation of wound edges, while contracture involves the tightening or constriction of a scar, leading to limited mobility.

5. A patient with a history of hypertension presents with a severe headache, confusion, and visual disturbances. His blood pressure is 220/120 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

• A. Migraine
• B. Cluster headache
• C. Hypertensive emergency
• D. Tension headache

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A patient with a history of hypertension presenting with a severe headache, confusion, and visual disturbances, along with a blood pressure of 220/120 mm Hg, likely has a hypertensive emergency. In this situation, the severely elevated blood pressure can lead to end-organ damage, causing symptoms such as headache and confusion. Migraine and tension headaches are not associated with such high blood pressure levels. Cluster headaches typically do not present with visual disturbances and confusion in the setting of severe hypertension.

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