A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of asthma. The nurse should monitor for which of the following signs of an asthma exacerbation?

Questions 37

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jarvis physical examination and health assessment 9th edition test bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of asthma. The nurse should monitor for which of the following signs of an asthma exacerbation?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased wheezing and shortness of breath. During an asthma exacerbation, bronchial airways become inflamed and narrowed, leading to increased wheezing and shortness of breath. This is a classic sign of worsening asthma. Other choices are incorrect because: A) Decreased work of breathing is not expected in an asthma exacerbation as the patient usually struggles to breathe. C) Improved oxygen saturation is unlikely as airway obstruction can lead to decreased oxygen levels. D) Decreased sputum production is not a typical sign of asthma exacerbation; in fact, increased sputum production may occur due to airway inflammation.

Question 2 of 9

A 40-year-old woman presents to the clinic with complaints of fatigue and weight gain. On assessment, the nurse finds that the patient has cold intolerance, dry skin, and a slow heart rate. The nurse suspects:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypothyroidism. In this case, the patient's symptoms of fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, and slow heart rate are indicative of hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is underactive, leading to decreased production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism. These symptoms align with the typical clinical presentation of hypothyroidism. Other choices are incorrect because hyperthyroidism (choice A) would present with symptoms like weight loss, heat intolerance, and a fast heart rate. Cushing's syndrome (choice C) and Addison's disease (choice D) are both conditions related to the adrenal glands and would have different symptom presentations compared to what is described in the case scenario.

Question 3 of 9

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

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Jaundice. In chronic liver disease, the liver is unable to properly process bilirubin, leading to jaundice. Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the skin and eyes. It is a common complication of liver disease and indicates impaired liver function. Anemia (choice B) may occur in liver disease, but it is not the primary complication. Hyperglycemia (choice C) and hypoglycemia (choice D) are more commonly associated with diabetes or pancreatic disorders, rather than chronic liver disease. Therefore, monitoring for jaundice is crucial in the care of a patient with chronic liver disease.

Question 4 of 9

A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of hypertension. The nurse should educate the patient to prioritize which of the following?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Limiting sodium intake. This is crucial for a patient with hypertension as excess sodium can lead to increased blood pressure. Sodium intake should be limited to lower the risk of cardiovascular complications. B: Increasing potassium intake is beneficial, but not as critical as limiting sodium for hypertension management. C: Increasing fluid intake may or may not be necessary depending on the patient's condition, but it is not as crucial as limiting sodium for hypertension management. D: Consuming more caffeine can actually elevate blood pressure, so it is not recommended for patients with hypertension.

Question 5 of 9

A nurse is caring for a patient who is post-operative following abdominal surgery. The nurse should prioritize which of the following to prevent complications?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: A - Encouraging early ambulation Rationale: 1. Early ambulation helps prevent post-operative complications like blood clots and pneumonia. 2. Movement promotes circulation, aids in lung expansion, and prevents muscle atrophy. 3. It also supports bowel function and helps prevent constipation, a common post-operative issue. 4. Ambulation aids in overall recovery and reduces the risk of complications associated with prolonged immobility. Other Choices: B: Administering pain medication - Important for comfort but not the top priority for preventing complications. C: Providing wound care and dressing changes - Necessary for wound healing but not the immediate priority to prevent complications. D: Monitoring for signs of infection - Critical but not the primary intervention to prevent complications immediately post-op.

Question 6 of 9

A female nurse is interviewing a male patient who is close in age to the nurse. During the interview, the patient makes an overtly sexual comment. The nurse's best response would be:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because it directly addresses the inappropriate behavior, sets a boundary, and communicates the nurse's discomfort in a professional manner. By stating that the comment makes them uncomfortable and asking the patient to refrain from such behavior, the nurse asserts their professionalism while maintaining respect for both parties. Choice A is too abrupt and may escalate the situation. Choice B dismisses the behavior, which is inappropriate. Choice C could be perceived as confrontational and potentially lead to a defensive response from the patient.

Question 7 of 9

A patient is experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea. The nurse should first assess the patient's:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, Blood pressure. Dizziness, blurred vision, and nausea can be symptoms of hypotension or hypertension. Assessing the patient's blood pressure first is crucial to determine if the symptoms are related to blood pressure fluctuations. Electrolyte levels (A) and blood glucose levels (C) may be assessed later but do not address the immediate concern. Temperature and respiratory rate (D) are important assessments but are not the priority in this scenario where cardiovascular status needs to be evaluated first.

Question 8 of 9

To assess affect, the nurse should ask the patient:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why answer A is correct: 1. Asking "How do you feel today?" directly addresses the patient's emotional state. 2. Assessing affect involves understanding the patient's emotional response or mood. 3. This open-ended question encourages the patient to express their feelings. 4. It allows the nurse to gain insight into the patient's emotional well-being. 5. Options B, C, and D focus on different aspects like memory, medication effectiveness, and functional ability, not directly related to assessing affect.

Question 9 of 9

The review of systems provides the nurse with:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: The review of systems is a systematic approach to assessing the patient's overall health. Step 2: It gathers information about symptoms across different body systems. Step 3: This information helps identify potential health risks and guide health promotion practices. Step 4: Choice B is correct as it aligns with the purpose of the review of systems. Summary: - Choice A is incorrect because it focuses on physical findings only, not the comprehensive assessment. - Choice C is incorrect as the review of systems is not primarily for teaching medical terms. - Choice D is incorrect as it does not provide enough information for diagnosing specific medical problems.

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