A nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing dizziness and weakness. The nurse should prioritize which of the following?

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Question 1 of 9

A nurse is assessing a patient who is experiencing dizziness and weakness. The nurse should prioritize which of the following?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood pressure measurement. Dizziness and weakness can be symptoms of hypotension or low blood pressure. Prioritizing blood pressure measurement is crucial because it can indicate if the patient is at risk of complications like cardiovascular collapse. Pulse oximetry (B) is important for assessing oxygen levels in the blood but may not directly address dizziness and weakness. Blood glucose levels (C) are important but not the priority in this scenario. Cardiac monitoring (D) may be necessary but should come after assessing blood pressure to rule out immediate life-threatening conditions.

Question 2 of 9

A nurse is teaching a patient with asthma about managing triggers. Which of the following statements by the patient indicates proper understanding?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because avoiding environmental allergens and cold air can help prevent asthma attacks. This shows the patient understands the importance of managing triggers. Choice B is incorrect because over-the-counter medications may not be sufficient for asthma management. Choice C is incorrect because smoking can worsen asthma symptoms. Choice D is incorrect because using the inhaler only when feeling short of breath is not a proactive approach to managing asthma triggers.

Question 3 of 9

A patient keeps saying, "I feel hot. Hot, cot, rot, tot, got. I'm a spot.' This is an illustration of:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clanging. Clanging refers to the phenomenon where words are chosen based on sound rather than meaning. In this case, the patient's speech demonstrates a pattern of words that rhyme or have similar sounds, despite lacking coherence or logical connection. This behavior is commonly seen in individuals with conditions like schizophrenia. Incorrect choices: A: Blocking - Blocking refers to sudden interruption or cessation of speech. This does not apply to the scenario described. C: Echolalia - Echolalia involves repetition of words or phrases spoken by others, not self-generated word patterns like in the scenario. D: Neologism - Neologism refers to the creation of new words or phrases with unique meanings, which is not reflected in the patient's speech pattern.

Question 4 of 9

A nurse is caring for a patient with hypertension. The nurse should monitor for which of the following complications?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Hypertension can lead to various complications affecting the heart, kidneys, and brain. Monitoring for heart failure is crucial due to the increased workload on the heart. Chronic kidney disease is a common complication of hypertension, as the kidneys are sensitive to changes in blood pressure. Stroke is another significant risk due to the potential damage to blood vessels in the brain. Therefore, monitoring for all these complications is essential in managing a patient with hypertension. Other choices are incorrect as they do not encompass all possible complications of hypertension.

Question 5 of 9

A 47-year-old woman who is a recent immigrant to Canada is being seen at the clinic today for her uncontrolled diabetes. The nurse knows that the patient lives with her husband and a large extended family. The nurse concludes that part of the patient's inability to maintain and comply with her diet and diabetic regime is the foods that this patient eats. This conclusion is an example of:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: culturalism. The nurse's conclusion that the patient's inability to maintain her diet and diabetic regime is due to the foods she eats reflects culturalism. Culturalism refers to the belief that a person's behaviors and beliefs are solely determined by their culture. In this case, the nurse is attributing the patient's struggles solely to her cultural background without considering other factors. A: Cultural sensitivity is about being aware and respectful of different cultures, but it does not involve making assumptions based on culture alone. B: Cultural safety is about creating a safe and respectful environment for individuals from different cultures, but it does not involve making assumptions about behavior solely based on culture. C: Cultural perspective involves understanding different cultural viewpoints, but it does not involve making assumptions about behavior solely based on culture. In summary, the nurse's conclusion is an example of culturalism as it oversimplifies the patient's situation by attributing her struggles solely to her cultural background.

Question 6 of 9

A nurse is teaching a patient with chronic hypertension about lifestyle changes. Which of the following is the most appropriate teaching for this patient?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because increasing physical activity and reducing stress are important lifestyle changes for managing chronic hypertension. Exercise helps lower blood pressure and stress reduction techniques can help control hypertension. Option A is incorrect as reducing sodium intake, not increasing it, is recommended. Option C is incorrect as medications for hypertension should be taken as prescribed, not only when blood pressure increases. Option D is incorrect as monitoring blood pressure should be done regularly, but not necessarily every week.

Question 7 of 9

Which is included only in a comprehensive assessment?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Complete health history. In a comprehensive assessment, obtaining a complete health history is essential to gather information about the patient's past and present health conditions, including medical history, family history, social history, and current symptoms. This information helps the healthcare provider understand the patient's overall health status, identify risk factors, and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Assessing the circulatory system (A) and airway (B) are important components of a physical assessment, but they alone do not constitute a comprehensive assessment. Disability assessment (D) focuses on the functional limitations caused by a disability and is not always included in a comprehensive health assessment.

Question 8 of 9

The major electrolytes in the extracellular fluid are:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: sodium and chloride. In the extracellular fluid, sodium and chloride are the major electrolytes due to their roles in maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contraction. Potassium and phosphate (choice B) are primarily found in intracellular fluid, while potassium and chloride (choice A) are not the major electrolytes in extracellular fluid. Similarly, sodium and phosphate (choice D) are not major extracellular electrolytes. Thus, choice C is the correct answer based on the significant presence and functions of sodium and chloride in the extracellular fluid.

Question 9 of 9

What should the nurse monitor when caring for a client receiving anticoagulant therapy?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor INR levels. INR (International Normalized Ratio) is a crucial parameter to monitor for clients on anticoagulant therapy, as it measures the effectiveness of the medication in preventing blood clots. By monitoring INR levels, the nurse can ensure the client is within the therapeutic range to prevent both bleeding and clotting complications. Choice A (Monitor platelet count) is incorrect because anticoagulant therapy does not directly affect platelet count, and monitoring platelets is more relevant for clients on antiplatelet therapy. Choice C (Monitor bleeding) is partially correct, but focusing solely on monitoring bleeding may not provide a comprehensive assessment of the client's response to anticoagulant therapy. Choice D (Monitor renal function) is incorrect as anticoagulant therapy primarily affects coagulation factors and not renal function. Renal function monitoring may be necessary for certain medications but is not a primary consideration for anticoagulant therapy.

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