A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of substance abuse who requests pain medication. What ethical principle should guide the nurse's decision-making in this situation?

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Question 1 of 5

A nurse is caring for a patient with a history of substance abuse who requests pain medication. What ethical principle should guide the nurse's decision-making in this situation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The ethical principle that should guide the nurse's decision-making in this situation is beneficence, which emphasizes the nurse's obligation to act in the best interest of the patient. In this scenario, the nurse must balance the patient's request for pain medication with considerations related to the patient's history of substance abuse. The nurse should prioritize providing effective pain relief for the patient while also considering the potential risks of administering medication to someone with a history of substance abuse. By focusing on beneficence, the nurse can make decisions that promote the well-being and best interests of the patient, taking into account both the immediate need for pain relief and the patient's history of substance abuse.

Question 2 of 5

A nurse is preparing to assist with a lumbar puncture procedure for a patient. What action should the nurse take to maintain procedural asepsis?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A nurse should wear sterile gloves and a surgical mask during a lumbar puncture procedure to maintain procedural asepsis. Sterile gloves help prevent contamination of the procedure site and reduce the risk of introducing microorganisms to the puncture site. Surgical masks help minimize the risk of respiratory secretions contaminating the sterile field, which is essential for maintaining asepsis during the procedure. Additionally, proper hand hygiene before and after the procedure is crucial in preventing the spread of infection.

Question 3 of 5

A nurse is preparing to assist with a thoracentesis procedure for a patient with pleural effusion. What action should the nurse prioritize to ensure procedural safety?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Confirming the patient's informed consent before the procedure is the most crucial action for the nurse to prioritize to ensure procedural safety during a thoracentesis. Informed consent is a legal and ethical requirement that ensures the patient understands the purpose of the procedure, its potential risks, benefits, and alternatives. By confirming informed consent, the nurse ensures that the patient has the necessary information and has willingly agreed to undergo the procedure. This process promotes patient autonomy, prevents misunderstandings, and reduces the likelihood of legal issues related to the procedure. Additionally, verifying informed consent helps establish a foundation of trust between the healthcare team and the patient. While other actions like positioning the patient correctly and ensuring pre-procedure antibiotics may also contribute to the safety of the procedure, obtaining informed consent is the foundational step that must be prioritized.

Question 4 of 5

A nurse is preparing to assist with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion for a patient requiring long-term enteral feeding. What action should the nurse prioritize to ensure procedural success?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Coordinating with radiology or gastroenterology for procedural guidance is crucial to ensure the success of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion. This procedure is typically performed under endoscopic guidance to ensure proper placement of the tube into the stomach through the abdominal wall. Radiology or gastroenterology professionals are trained to perform and guide the insertion procedure, making their involvement essential for a successful outcome. Additionally, their expertise helps minimize the risk of complications during and after the PEG tube placement.

Question 5 of 5

A patient presents with a target-like rash with concentric erythematous rings and central clearing on the trunk and extremities. The patient reports recent exposure to a new medication. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Erythema multiforme is a skin condition characterized by the sudden onset of a target-like rash with concentric erythematous rings and central clearing on the trunk and extremities. It typically presents with a distinctive "iris" or "bull's eye" pattern. Erythema multiforme is often triggered by exposure to certain medications, such as antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and other drugs. The rash is usually accompanied by symptoms like fever, malaise, and joint pain. It is important to identify and discontinue the offending medication causing the reaction in cases of drug-induced erythema multiforme.

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