A 31-year-old patient tells the nurse that he is experiencing a progressive loss of hearing. He says that it does seem to help when people speak more loudly or if he turns up the volume. The most likely cause of his hearing loss is:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: otosclerosis. Otosclerosis is a condition where abnormal bone growth in the middle ear causes hearing loss. In this case, the patient's symptoms of progressive hearing loss improving with louder sounds suggest conductive hearing loss, which is commonly seen in otosclerosis. Other choices are incorrect because presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, trauma to the bones would typically result in sudden hearing loss, and frequent ear infections are more likely to cause temporary hearing loss rather than progressive loss.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Glucose. Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a form of nutrition delivered directly into the bloodstream, providing all essential nutrients including glucose. Monitoring glucose levels is crucial to prevent hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Calcium (A), Magnesium (B), and Cholesterol (D) are not typically monitored closely when a client is on TPN, as they are not directly impacted by TPN administration. Calcium and Magnesium levels are usually monitored for other conditions, and Cholesterol levels are not typically affected by TPN administration.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer bronchodilators. During an acute asthma attack, the priority is to open the airways quickly to improve breathing. Bronchodilators work rapidly to dilate the constricted airways, providing immediate relief. Corticosteroids are used for long-term management and take time to be effective. Administering morphine is not recommended as it can depress the respiratory system. Performing an ECG is not necessary in the acute management of an asthma attack.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Step 1: Nutrition is important for overall health and healing in a client in Buck's traction. Step 2: Elimination is necessary to prevent complications such as constipation. Step 3: Comfort measures help alleviate pain and promote well-being. Step 4: Safety measures ensure the client's well-being during traction. Step 5: ROM exercises are not recommended to prevent displacement of traction. Transportation and isotonic exercises are not directly related to Buck's traction care.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Dehydration. Depressed and sunken fontanelles in an infant indicate dehydration due to decreased fluid volume. Dehydration causes a decrease in tissue turgor, leading to the fontanelles appearing sunken. Rickets (A) is a condition characterized by weak or soft bones due to vitamin D deficiency. Mental retardation (C) is a developmental disorder, not related to fontanelle appearance. Increased intracranial pressure (D) would cause bulging fontanelles, not depressed fontanelles. Therefore, the most likely condition in this case is dehydration.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct response is D because it encourages the mother to provide specific information about the toddler's behavior indicating pain. This helps the nurse assess the severity and nature of the earache accurately. Options A and C are dismissive and may overlook a potential health issue. Option B suggests immediate action without gathering information first, which may not be necessary.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Check for dehydration. When a client has a high fever, assessing for dehydration is crucial because fever can lead to increased fluid loss through sweating and increased respiratory rate. Dehydration can exacerbate the client's condition and needs to be addressed promptly. Monitoring respiratory rate (choice A) and pulse (choice D) are important assessments but do not address the immediate need to identify dehydration. Obtaining a blood sample (choice B) may be necessary at some point but is not the initial priority in a client with a high fever. Thus, checking for dehydration should be assessed first to ensure proper management of the client's condition.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a normal pupillary light reflex involves the constriction of both pupils in response to bright light. This reflex is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic nervous system. When light is detected by the retina, signals are sent to the brain which then triggers the constriction of both pupils to reduce the amount of light entering the eye. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the pupillary light reflex. Vision convergence, light reflection, and focusing the image at the center of the pupil are not directly related to the pupillary light reflex.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Administer antibiotics. When caring for a client with severe burns, the first priority is to prevent infection, which can be life-threatening. Administering antibiotics helps reduce the risk of infection. Cleansing and dressing the wounds can come after ensuring infection control. Performing a tracheostomy is not typically the first priority unless there are airway concerns. Administering analgesics is important, but it is not the first priority in this case.