A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing conflicting emotions about a recent diagnosis. What therapeutic communication technique should the nurse use to help the patient explore their feelings?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Reflecting the patient's feelings and expressions is a therapeutic communication technique that involves mirroring back the patient's emotions and thoughts. By doing this, the nurse validates the patient's experiences and helps them explore their feelings further. This technique can enhance the patient's self-awareness and promote emotional expression, leading to a deeper understanding of their conflicting emotions. Offering advice (Option A) may not be as effective because the focus should be on helping the patient process their own emotions. Providing reassurance and false hope (Option B) can hinder the patient's emotional exploration and may lead to trust issues if the reality does not align with the false reassurance. Redirecting the conversation to a different topic (Option D) avoids addressing the patient's conflicting emotions, which is crucial for therapeutic communication and support.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should monitor the International Normalized Ratio (INR) closely during anticoagulant therapy for the prevention of VTE. The INR measures the clotting ability of the blood and is used to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy, such as warfarin. Maintaining the INR within the target therapeutic range is crucial to prevent both excessive bleeding due to over-anticoagulation and clotting events due to under-anticoagulation. Close monitoring of the INR helps healthcare providers adjust the anticoagulant dosage as needed to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes and minimize risks. Platelet count, serum sodium levels, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are important laboratory parameters to monitor for other medical conditions but are not specific to anticoagulant therapy.

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: The BEST rationale for the conduct of the program is to deliver safe and quality nursing care to patients on intravenous therapy (IV). This directly ties the purpose of the program to the real-world outcome it seeks to achieve - providing optimal care for patients requiring intravenous therapy. Ensuring safe practice in the hospital (Option A) is important but it is not specific to the focus of the IV therapy program. Improving nursing practice in general (Option B) is a noble goal but the program should have a specific and targeted objective. Providing knowledge and skills to all nursing staff in IV Therapy (Option C) is essential, but the primary aim should be centered on improving patient care outcomes. Therefore, delivering safe and quality nursing care to patients on IV therapy aligns most closely with the core purpose of the program and should be the primary rationale.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct advice to give to the owner of the dog in case of a dog bite is to feed the dog well and observe its behavior closely. It is not necessary to give away, impound, or kill the dog immediately after a bite incident. By feeding the dog well and observing its behavior, the owner can see if there are any underlying issues that may have caused the dog to bite. Additionally, observing the dog can help the owner determine if the dog has any health issues that need to be addressed. This approach allows the owner to make an informed decision about the dog's future while ensuring the safety of others.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: An assumption is a belief or statement that is accepted as true without proof. In this case, the statement suggests a belief that the length of service does not affect the degree of patient safety practices among staff nurses, without providing evidence or data to support this claim. It is an assumption about the relationship between two variables without a proper basis or evidence to back it up, making it an example of an assumption.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The clinical presentation of recurrent fever, sore throat, cervical lymphadenopathy, leukocytosis with atypical lymphocytes, and positive heterophile antibody test (Monospot test) is highly indicative of infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV is a member of the herpesvirus family and is a common cause of infectious mononucleosis. The atypical lymphocytes seen on peripheral blood smear are reactive T lymphocytes responding to the EBV infection. The Monospot test detects heterophile antibodies produced in response to EBV infection.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Hurthle cell carcinoma is a type of thyroid cancer that arises from the Hurthle cells of the thyroid gland. Patients with Hurthle cell carcinoma may present with a thyroid nodule and signs of hyperthyroidism, which can mimic other thyroid disorders such as Graves' disease. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy revealing Hurthle cells and cellular atypia is suggestive of a Hurthle cell neoplasm, particularly Hurthle cell carcinoma. It is important to differentiate Hurthle cell carcinoma from benign Hurthle cell adenomas or other thyroid conditions to guide appropriate management and treatment.

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.