A nurse is caring for a patient who expresses concerns about the potential side effects of a prescribed medication. What action should the nurse take to address the patient's concerns?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should provide accurate information about the medication, including potential side effects, to address the patient's concerns. It is important for the nurse to listen to the patient's worries and provide them with the knowledge they need to make an informed decision about their treatment. By educating the patient about the medication and its potential side effects, the nurse empowers the patient to be actively involved in their care and promotes shared decision-making. Disregarding the patient's concerns, encouraging them to stop taking the medication, or minimizing the importance of their worries are not appropriate responses and may negatively impact the patient-nurse relationship and the patient's adherence to the prescribed treatment.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In a pregnant woman presenting with severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding at 8 weeks gestation with a closed cervix, the most likely cause of these symptoms is a threatened abortion. A threatened abortion is a common complication of early pregnancy characterized by vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain without cervical dilation. The cervix remains closed, indicating that the pregnancy is still intact but at risk of potential miscarriage. Placenta previa typically presents with painless vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester, whereas ectopic pregnancy usually presents with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding in the setting of a closed cervix but is less likely at 8 weeks gestation. Gestational trophoblastic disease is a rare cause of vaginal bleeding in pregnancy and typically presents in the first trimester with signs of hyperemesis gravidarum, uterine enlargement, and elevated β-hCG levels.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The purpose of record keeping in healthcare is primarily to ensure quality health care. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of patient information, including medical history, treatments, medications, and test results, allows healthcare providers to make informed decisions about patient care. Access to complete and organized records helps in providing timely and effective treatments, reducing errors, and ensuring continuity of care. By tracking and documenting patient care, healthcare professionals can assess outcomes, monitor progress, and improve overall quality of healthcare services. Additionally, thorough record keeping also supports communication between healthcare providers and facilitates coordination of care across different healthcare settings.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A dental abscess is a condition characterized by inflammation and infection of the soft tissues surrounding the apex of a tooth root. This infection can result from untreated dental decay, trauma to the tooth, or periodontal disease. The abscess can cause pain, swelling, redness, and even pus formation. Treatment typically involves draining the abscess, removing the source of infection, and possibly prescribing antibiotics to address the infection. If left untreated, a dental abscess can lead to serious complications and spread to other parts of the body.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Utilitarianism is an ethical theory that focuses on producing the greatest overall balance of good over bad consequences for everyone involved. In the context of the situation described, nurses being floated to areas of most need during a nursing shortage is an example of utilitarianism in action. The decision to float nurses is aimed at maximizing the benefit to the greatest number of patients by ensuring that critical care is provided where it is most needed, even if it may cause inconvenience or discomfort to the nurses being floated. This decision aligns with the principle of maximizing overall utility and promoting the greater good, which are central tenets of utilitarianism.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most effective intervention to prevent pressure ulcers in bedbound patients at risk, such as those with advanced dementia, is to use pressure-relieving support surfaces like specialized mattresses or cushions. These surfaces help distribute the pressure evenly, reducing the risk of pressure ulcer formation on bony prominences. Turning the patient every 2 hours (choice A) can also help relieve pressure, but it may not be sufficient to prevent pressure ulcers in high-risk individuals. Applying barrier creams or moisture barriers (choice B) can help protect the skin but may not address the underlying issue of pressure on vulnerable areas. Administering prophylactic antibiotics (choice D) is not recommended for preventing pressure ulcers as it does not address the root cause of the problem and can lead to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, the priority intervention should be to use pressure-relieving support surfaces to minimize the risk of pressure ulcers in

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Patients with nephrotic syndrome who are ordered corticosteroids need to avoid close contact with individuals who have infections or illnesses, as corticosteroids can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infections. Therefore, it is important to prioritize the safety and well-being of the patient by minimizing potential sources of infection. While diabetes itself does not pose a direct risk to the patient with nephrotic syndrome, individuals with diabetes may have a compromised immune system or be at higher risk for infections, which could potentially be transmitted to the patient. This precaution helps to minimize the risk of infection and maximize the effectiveness of the treatment for nephrotic syndrome.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient is most likely experiencing autonomic dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia is a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries at the level of T6 or above. It is characterized by a sudden onset of severe hypertension, bradycardia, diaphoresis, flushing, and headache in response to a noxious stimulus below the level of injury. The sudden change in position from supine to sitting likely triggered autonomic dysreflexia in this patient.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Quality improvement focuses on proactive measures rather than reactive responses. The medical director would be more interested in establishing processes and systems that prevent issues from occurring in the first place, rather than just reacting to problems as they arise. Continuous improvement involves identifying problems, analyzing root causes, and implementing long-term solutions to prevent the issues from recurring. Therefore, reacting to correct or bad situations is not a characteristic of quality improvement that the medical director would prioritize.