A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The nurse should prioritize which of the following assessments?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Breath sounds and oxygen saturation. In COPD, monitoring respiratory status is crucial due to impaired gas exchange. Assessing breath sounds helps identify any adventitious sounds like wheezing or crackles, indicating respiratory distress. Oxygen saturation reflects oxygenation status, vital for patients with COPD prone to hypoxemia. Nutritional intake and weight (B), bowel sounds and abdominal girth (C), and urine output and skin integrity (D) are important but secondary assessments in this case. Nutritional status and weight are important for overall health, bowel sounds and abdominal girth are related to gastrointestinal function, and urine output and skin integrity are indicators of hydration and overall skin health, respectively. However, in a patient with COPD, the priority is ensuring adequate oxygenation and respiratory function.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer albuterol. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that helps open airways, making it effective in treating respiratory distress. It works quickly to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing. Corticosteroids (B) may be used in conjunction with albuterol for severe cases, but albuterol is the immediate intervention. Providing pain relief (C) is not the primary intervention for respiratory distress. Nebulizers (D) are a delivery method for medications like albuterol, but the key intervention is administering the medication itself.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer IV fluids. The initial priority in managing sepsis is to restore perfusion and oxygenation by giving IV fluids to support blood pressure and organ perfusion. This helps to improve tissue oxygenation and prevents further organ damage. Administering insulin (choice B) is not the priority in the initial management of sepsis. Monitoring blood pressure (choice C) is important but not the first step in the management of sepsis. Administering insulin is also listed twice and is not relevant to the immediate management of sepsis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Is there anything else you would like to mention?" This question allows the patient to share any additional information or concerns before concluding the interview. It shows empathy and ensures thorough communication. Choice A is not the best option as it may suggest the nurse is rushing or has overlooked something. Choice C is inappropriate as it lacks empathy and may make the patient feel rushed. Choice D is also incorrect as it shifts the focus to a different topic instead of allowing the patient to express any remaining issues or questions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hold the breath for at least 5 seconds after inhaling the medication. Holding the breath after inhaling the medication allows for better absorption of the medication into the lungs. This helps ensure the medication reaches the target area for optimal effectiveness. Exhaling deeply before using the inhaler (Choice A) is not necessary and can actually reduce the amount of medication reaching the lungs. Using the inhaler only when asthma symptoms are severe (Choice B) is not recommended as it is important to use the inhaler as prescribed by the healthcare provider. Inhaling deeply while activating the inhaler (Choice C) is important, but holding the breath after inhaling the medication is crucial for optimal medication delivery.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: Patient stating they can stop taking medication once BP is normal shows misunderstanding of hypertension as a chronic condition. Step 2: Hypertension requires long-term management even if BP is controlled temporarily. Step 3: Stopping medication abruptly can lead to BP spikes and complications. Step 4: Other choices (A, C, D) demonstrate good understanding and proactive approach to managing hypertension. Summary: Choice B is incorrect as it suggests discontinuation of medication, posing a risk to the patient's health. Choices A, C, and D show positive behaviors towards hypertension management.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients with a history of stroke are at increased risk for DVT due to immobility and vascular damage. Monitoring for DVT is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications like pulmonary embolism. Acute renal failure (A) is not directly related to stroke and is not a common complication. Pneumonia (C) may occur but is not the highest priority compared to DVT. Hypertension (D) is important to monitor but is not the priority in this case as DVT poses a more immediate risk to the patient's health.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. High HDL cholesterol is considered beneficial as it helps remove LDL cholesterol from arteries, reducing the risk of plaque buildup. 2. Low HDL cholesterol is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. 3. Low total cholesterol may not necessarily indicate a decreased risk, as it could be due to low levels of protective HDL cholesterol. 4. Low triglycerides, while generally considered good, do not directly indicate a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease like high HDL cholesterol does. In summary, high HDL cholesterol is the correct answer as it plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease by removing LDL cholesterol, whereas the other choices do not offer the same protective benefits.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. High HDL cholesterol is associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk. 2. HDL cholesterol helps remove LDL cholesterol from arteries, reducing plaque buildup. 3. This leads to lower risk of heart disease and stroke. 4. Low HDL cholesterol (choice B) is associated with increased risk. 5. Low total cholesterol (choice C) and low triglycerides (choice D) do not directly correlate with decreased cardiovascular disease risk. Summary: High HDL cholesterol is beneficial for cardiovascular health as it helps reduce plaque buildup in arteries. Low HDL cholesterol, low total cholesterol, and low triglycerides are not associated with decreased cardiovascular disease risk.