A 52-year-old woman has just been told she has breast cancer and is scheduled for a modified mastectomy the following week. The nurse caring for this patient knows that she is anxious and fearful about the upcoming procedure and the newly diagnosed malignancy. How can the nurse most likely alleviate this patients fears?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Provide the patient with relevant information about expected recovery. This option addresses the patient's anxiety by providing her with concrete information about what to expect after the procedure. By knowing the expected recovery process, the patient can feel more in control and prepared, which can help alleviate fears. Summary: A: Providing written material on the procedure does not directly address the patient's fears about the upcoming surgery and cancer diagnosis. C: Giving the patient current information on breast cancer survival rates may increase anxiety rather than alleviate it, as it focuses on statistics rather than the individual patient's concerns. D: Offering alternative treatment options may not be appropriate at this stage when the patient is already scheduled for a modified mastectomy. It may add confusion and further anxiety.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: A verbal report. This is because exchanging information verbally between nurses allows for real-time communication, ensuring important details are accurately conveyed. Electronic record entry (B) involves documenting information in the patient's record but does not involve direct communication. Referral (C) refers to transferring the patient's care to another healthcare provider. Acuity rating (D) is a tool used to determine the severity of a patient's condition and does not involve exchanging information between nurses.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: A minimum data set. In a long-term care setting funded by Medicare and Medicaid, completing standardized protocols for assessment and care planning for reimbursement involves using a minimum data set, which is a standardized instrument for assessing residents' health status. This set of data elements is necessary for comprehensive assessment and care planning to ensure appropriate reimbursement. The other choices (B, C, D) do not specifically address the standardized protocols required for reimbursement in this setting. An admission assessment and acuity level would be part of the process, but not the primary task being completed in this scenario. A focused assessment on a specific body system or an intake assessment form and auditing phase are not synonymous with the standardized protocols needed for reimbursement in a Medicare/Medicaid-funded long-term care facility.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Provide emotional support to the patient and her family. This is the priority as the patient has received devastating news and needs immediate support. Emotional support can help the patient cope with the diagnosis, express feelings, and make decisions. B: Implementing distraction techniques may not address the patient's emotional needs in this critical situation. C: Offering to inform the family of the diagnosis is important but not the priority at this moment. D: Teaching about maintaining a positive attitude may not be appropriate as the patient is facing a terminal illness.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Epistaxis (nose bleed). Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count, leading to impaired blood clotting and an increased risk of bleeding. Epistaxis is a common symptom of thrombocytopenia due to the lack of platelets to aid in clot formation. Assessing for epistaxis in patients receiving carmustine is crucial to monitor and manage potential bleeding complications. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they are not directly associated with thrombocytopenia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Drink more water to prevent further dehydration. Given the patient's fair skin turgor, fatigue, weakness, warm and dry skin, elevated pulse rate, and slightly elevated urinary sodium level, these are signs of dehydration. Increasing water intake would help improve the patient's hydration status. Other choices are incorrect because B (calorie-dense fluids) does not address the dehydration issue, C (milk and dairy products) does not directly address the symptoms presented, and D (grapefruit juice) is not essential for hydration in this case.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Those who develop critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills enable nurses to assess situations, analyze information, and communicate effectively with patients. By using critical thinking, nurses can tailor their communication style to each patient's needs, leading to better understanding and rapport. A: Learning effective psychomotor skills is important but does not directly correlate with being a good communicator. C: Liking different kinds of people is beneficial for interpersonal relationships, but it does not necessarily make one a better communicator. D: Maintaining perceptual biases hinders effective communication as it can lead to misunderstandings and barriers in the communication process.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the cognitive effects of aging can mimic symptoms of brain tumors in older adults, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. Aging can also affect the presentation, progression, and treatment outcomes of brain tumors. Option B is incorrect as brain tumors in older adults can indeed produce focal effects. Option C is incorrect as not all older adults have numerous benign brain tumors, and this is not a factor affecting the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors in this case. Option D is incorrect as age alone does not preclude treatment for brain tumors.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Normal deep tendon reflexes. This indicates a therapeutic level of magnesium sulfate as it shows that the medication is effectively preventing hyperreflexia, a common sign of magnesium toxicity. Drowsiness (choice A) can indicate toxicity. Urinary output of 20 mL/hour (choice B) is not specific to magnesium sulfate levels. Respiratory rate of 10 to 12 breaths per minute (choice D) is indicative of respiratory depression, a sign of magnesium toxicity. Thus, choice C is the best assessment to indicate a therapeutic level of medication in a patient with preeclampsia taking magnesium sulfate.