A client asks the nurse how aspirin relieves pain. What would be the basis of the nurse's response?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The basis of the nurse's response is that aspirin reduces inflammation, as it inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, decreasing prostaglandin productionchemicals that sensitize nociceptors and swell tissues, driving pain in conditions like arthritis. This anti-inflammatory action is aspirin's core pain-relief mechanism. Choice A, blocks nerve impulses, is wrongnerve blockers (e.g., lidocaine) do this, not aspirin, which acts peripherally. Choice C, numbs the skin, applies to topical anesthetics, not oral aspirin, which targets systemic inflammation. Choice D, increases blood flow, isn't primaryaspirin thins blood, but pain relief ties to inflammation reduction. Choice B is correct, enabling nurses to explain aspirin's role in inflammatory pain (e.g., headaches, joint pain), distinguishing it from opioids, and advising on use (e.g., with food) to manage mild-to-moderate pain effectively.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse expects a dull ache in somatic pain, as it arises from musculoskeletal tissues (e.g., bones, muscles) due to injury or inflammation, producing a localized, throbbing or aching qualitydistinct from neuropathic pain's neural feel. Choice A, burning sensation, fits neuropathic pain (e.g., nerve damage), not somatic's mechanical origin. Choice C, tingling, also suggests neuropathy (e.g., pinched nerve), not the deeper ache of somatic pain like fractures. Choice D, numbness, indicates nerve dysfunction or anesthesia, not pain itselfsomatic pain is felt, not absent. Choice B is correct, guiding nurses to identify somatic pain's hallmarke.g., post-op or arthritis discomfortprompting treatments like NSAIDs or rest, tailored to its tissue-based source, unlike neuropathic options.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Primary prevention focuses on preventing health issues before they occur, such as through immunizations or health education. Administering a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) immunization to an infant (Choice B) is a classic example of primary prevention because it protects against diseases before exposure. In contrast, administering digoxin (Choice A) is a treatment for an existing condition (heart failure), making it tertiary prevention aimed at managing or reducing complications. Obtaining a Papanicolaou smear (Choice C) is secondary prevention, as it involves early detection of cervical cancer rather than preventing it outright. Similarly, using occupational therapy for arthritis (Choice D) is tertiary prevention, helping a patient manage an existing condition rather than preventing its onset. The distinction lies in the timing and intent: primary prevention occurs before any disease process begins, and the MMR vaccine fits this definition perfectly by building immunity proactively. Thus, Choice B is correct, aligning with the goal of stopping health problems at their root.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The nursing process is a dynamic, cyclical framework guiding patient care, and revision of a care plan occurs during the evaluation step (Choice D). In evaluation, the nurse assesses whether the established goals (set during planning) were met, partially met, or unmet, using outcome criteria. If goals aren't achievede.g., a patient's pain remains uncontrolledthe nurse revises the plan, adjusting interventions or goals based on new data. Assessment (Choice A) is data collection, not revision, though it informs the process. Planning (Choice B) involves creating the initial care plan, not modifying it. Implementation (Choice C) is executing the plan, not evaluating or revising it. For example, if a wound isn't healing despite dressings, evaluation reveals the need for a new approach (e.g., different dressings), prompting revision. This step ensures care remains patient-centered and effective, adapting to changes in condition. Thus, Choice D, evaluation, is where revision occurs, making it the correct answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy ranks human needs in five levels: physiological (base), safety, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Physiological needsair, water, food, shelter, and elimination (Choice B)are foundational, as survival depends on them. Elimination, encompassing urination and defecation, is critical; its impairment (e.g., urinary retention) can cause immediate harm like infection or organ damage. Security (Choice A) and safety (Choice C) are second-level needs, addressing stability and protection, but they're irrelevant if physiological needs aren't mete.g., a client can't feel safe if they can't breathe or eliminate waste. Belonging (Choice D), a third-level need, involves relationships, which are secondary to survival. For example, a postoperative client with a blocked catheter faces a life-threatening physiological crisis, trumping safety or social needs. Nurses prioritize based on this hierarchy, making elimination (Choice B) the highest priority and correct answer.