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: A

Rationale: The patient's presentation of fatigue, weakness, jaundice, elevated indirect bilirubin levels, reticulocytosis, and positive Coombs test is consistent with hemolytic anemia. Among the options provided, hereditary spherocytosis is the most likely condition to cause these findings.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: According to Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the stage of Identity versus Role Confusion occurs during adolescence, which is typically around the ages of 12 to 18 years old. This stage is characterized by the individual exploring and developing their personal identity, values, and beliefs.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Clubbing of the fingers is a specific term that Nurse Gladys should write in her charting when a patient is suffering from a change in the angle between the nail base greater than 180 degrees due to congenital heart disease. Clubbing of the fingers is a diagnostic sign associated with various medical conditions, including congenital heart disease. It is characterized by changes in the angle and shape of the nails, typically involving softening of the nail bed, enlargement of the fingertips, and a loss of the normal angle between the nail and the nail bed. Peripheral neuropathy, inflammation of the fingers, and peripheral cyanosis are different conditions and do not specifically describe the nail changes seen in clubbing.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Negligence is the failure to take proper care in doing something, which results in harm or injury to someone else. In this scenario, the client falling out of bed because side rails were not used indicates a lack of proper care or attention by the staff or caregiver responsible for the client. It shows a failure to protect the client from harm, which aligns with the definition of negligence. This situation does not fit the definitions of a felony, battery, or assault.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate intervention for a patient with difficulty swallowing due to end-stage ALS and concerns about choking is to refer the patient to a speech therapist for swallowing exercises and techniques (Choice B). Speech therapists are trained to assess and manage swallowing difficulties in patients, especially those with neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. They can provide specific exercises and strategies to help the patient swallow safely and reduce the risk of choking. This intervention focuses on addressing the underlying issue causing the difficulty swallowing and aims to improve the patient's quality of life by enhancing their ability to eat and drink. The other options are not as effective or appropriate in addressing the patient's concerns.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Scabies is caused by an infestation of the microscopic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. This parasitic mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin, where it lays eggs and causes intense itching and skin irritation. The transmission of scabies usually occurs through close and prolonged skin-to-skin contact with an infested person. Unlike viruses, bacteria, and fungi, which are microorganisms that can also cause skin infections, scabies specifically refers to an infestation by a parasitic mite.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Prior to a gastric lavage procedure, it is essential for the nurse to ensure the correct size of the nasogastric tube is selected. The appropriate size of the tube will allow for effective removal of the ingested poisonous substance during the procedure. Proper sizing also helps in preventing complications such as injury to the gastrointestinal tract or inadequate removal of the substance. This step is crucial for the safe and successful completion of gastric lavage. Reminding parents to be careful, obtaining informed consent immediately, or accusing them of negligence are not immediate responsibilities of the nurse in this context.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Showing positive interpersonal relationships is the best evidence of a family coping well when their family coping index on therapeutic competence is rated as coping well. Positive interpersonal relationships indicate that family members are effectively communicating, supporting each other, and resolving conflicts in a healthy manner. This reflects strong family dynamics, emotional resilience, and adaptability which are important aspects of effective coping. While the other options (B, C, D) are beneficial activities or behaviors, positive interpersonal relationships directly demonstrate the family's ability to cope well together, making it the most relevant evidence for a high therapeutic competence rating.