A nurse is assessing a patient with a history of stroke. The nurse should monitor for signs of which of the following complications?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients with a history of stroke are at increased risk for DVT due to immobility and potential damage to blood vessels. The nurse should monitor for signs such as swelling, pain, and redness in the extremities. Pneumonia (A) can occur post-stroke but is not the most common complication. Hypoglycemia (C) is more relevant for diabetic patients. Hypertension (D) is a common comorbidity in stroke patients but monitoring for DVT is crucial due to its immediate life-threatening implications.

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: Diagnostic hypothesis. Nurses use diagnostic reasoning to formulate diagnostic hypotheses based on patient data and clinical judgment. They analyze symptoms and data to generate potential diagnoses. Choice A, nursing diagnosis, involves identifying patient problems related to nursing care. Choice B, medical diagnosis, is made by physicians to identify diseases or medical conditions. Choice D, diagnostic assessment, refers to the process of collecting and analyzing data to make a diagnosis. Diagnostic hypothesis aligns with the process of diagnostic reasoning in nursing practice.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Jaundice. Yellowish brown skin coloration along with pink coloration of the hard and soft palate is indicative of jaundice, a condition characterized by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin causes a yellowish discoloration of the skin but does not affect the color of the mucous membranes like the hard and soft palate. Pallor (A) refers to paleness of the skin due to decreased blood flow or anemia, not relevant in this case. Cyanosis (C) is a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to low oxygen levels in the blood, which is not consistent with the presented findings. Iron deficiency (D) may lead to pallor, but it does not cause yellowish brown skin coloration like jaundice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because reinforcing good habits, such as healthy eating and exercise, is essential for promoting health and preventing disease. This involves educating patients on proper self-care practices. Providing medical diagnosis (B) is not a nursing role, as it falls under the domain of medical professionals. Maintaining optimal functioning (C) is important but not specific to promoting health. Prescribing treatment (D) is beyond the scope of nursing practice, as only advanced practice nurses have prescriptive authority.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because using the inhaler every time the patient feels short of breath, even without a flare-up, is not the recommended practice for managing COPD. Inhalers should be used as prescribed by the healthcare provider or only during exacerbations. Here's the rationale: 1. Using the inhaler excessively can lead to overuse of medication and potential side effects. 2. It is important for patients to differentiate between regular management and acute exacerbations. 3. Monitoring oxygen levels (choice D) is essential for COPD management. 4. Quitting smoking (choice A) and deep breathing exercises (choice B) are positive self-management strategies for COPD.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer nitroglycerin. The priority nursing action for a client experiencing severe chest pain is to administer nitroglycerin to help dilate the blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart, reducing chest pain. This action helps to address the immediate issue of chest pain and potential heart damage. Administering morphine (B) may be considered if chest pain persists despite nitroglycerin. Administering oxygen (C) can also be helpful but is not the initial priority. Monitoring blood pressure (D) is important but not the most urgent action in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, administer insulin, because hyperglycemia indicates high blood sugar levels which can be effectively lowered by administering insulin. Insulin helps to move glucose from the blood into cells for energy production. Administering fluids (B) can be helpful for dehydration, but it does not directly address the high blood sugar levels. Encouraging activity (C) may help lower blood sugar levels over time, but in the immediate situation, administering insulin is more effective. Encouraging deep breathing (D) does not directly address hyperglycemia and would not be the appropriate first step in managing this condition.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Cocaine is a stimulant drug that typically leads to symptoms such as dilated pupils, pacing, and psychomotor agitation. Dilated pupils occur due to increased catecholamines. Pacing and psychomotor agitation are common behaviors associated with cocaine use. Unsteady gait and aggressiveness (Option B) are more characteristic of alcohol intoxication. Pupil constriction, lethargy, apathy, and dysphoria (Option C) are typical symptoms of opioid use. Constricted pupils, euphoria, and decreased temperature (Option D) are more indicative of opioid use as well.