A client is in the family practice clinic reporting a severe cold that started 4 days ago. On examination the nurse notes that the client also has a severe headache and muscle aches. What action by the nurse is best?

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Question 1 of 4

A client is in the family practice clinic reporting a severe cold that started 4 days ago. On examination the nurse notes that the client also has a severe headache and muscle aches. What action by the nurse is best?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Teach the client to sneeze in the upper sleeve. This action is best because the client is showing symptoms of a cold, which is typically caused by a virus spread through respiratory droplets. Instructing the client to sneeze in the upper sleeve can help prevent the spread of the virus to others. Choice A is incorrect because oseltamivir is used to treat influenza, not the common cold. Choice B is unnecessary as hospital admission is not typically warranted for a cold. Choice C is also incorrect as the client is already sick and a flu vaccine would not be effective at this point in time.

Question 2 of 4

The nursing assistant tells you that the client on oxygen at a flow rate of 6 L/min by nasal cannula is complaining of nasal passage discomfort. What intervention should you suggest to improve the client's comfort for this problem?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Humidifying oxygen reduces nasal dryness and irritation caused by high-flow oxygen through a nasal cannula. Using a face mask (B) might help but is less practical for long-term use. Providing an extra pillow (C) or sitting up in a chair (D) does not address the nasal discomfort directly.

Question 3 of 4

A patient reports sudden difficulty breathing with tachypnea and tachycardia and localized chest pain. The physician suspects a pulmonary embolism. What test would you expect the physician to order?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the scenario described, the most appropriate test for the physician to order when suspecting a pulmonary embolism is option A) Helical CT scan. This imaging test is the gold standard for diagnosing pulmonary embolism due to its high sensitivity and specificity in detecting blood clots in the pulmonary arteries. Option B) EKG is used to assess the electrical activity of the heart and would not directly diagnose a pulmonary embolism. Option C) ECC (electrocardiogram) is a common misspelling and does not represent a relevant medical test in this context. Option D) Vital capacity is a pulmonary function test that measures the maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after a maximum inhalation, which is not specific to diagnosing a pulmonary embolism. Educationally, understanding the appropriate diagnostic tests for conditions like a pulmonary embolism is crucial for healthcare providers to make timely and accurate diagnoses, leading to better patient outcomes. This question reinforces the importance of correlating clinical symptoms with diagnostic tests to provide optimal patient care.

Question 4 of 4

Following a motor vehicle accident, the nurse assesses the driver for which distinctive sign of flail chest?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the context of a motor vehicle accident, a flail chest occurs when a segment of the rib cage becomes detached from the rest of the chest wall. This leads to paradoxical chest movement, where the affected area moves in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest during breathing. Therefore, option D, paradoxical chest movement, is the correct answer as it is a distinctive sign of flail chest. Option A, severe hypotension, is not a distinctive sign of flail chest but may be present due to other injuries or shock from the accident. Option B, chest pain over ribs, is a common symptom of rib fractures but not specific to flail chest. Option C, absence of breath sounds, is more indicative of a pneumothorax or hemothorax rather than flail chest. Educationally, understanding the signs and symptoms of flail chest is crucial for healthcare professionals, especially in emergency and trauma settings. Recognizing this condition promptly can help in providing appropriate care and preventing further complications. This question highlights the importance of differentiating between various chest injuries to ensure accurate assessment and treatment of patients.

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