A nurse is preparing to assist with a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedure for a patient in cardiac arrest. What action should the nurse prioritize during the initial assessment?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct action to prioritize during the initial assessment when preparing to assist with a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedure for a patient in cardiac arrest is to assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). This involves quickly checking the patient's airway for any obstructions, assessing their breathing for signs of breathing difficulties or absence of breathing, and evaluating their circulation by checking for a pulse. This step is crucial in determining the need for immediate intervention, such as clearing the airway, providing rescue breaths, or initiating chest compressions. By prioritizing the assessment of the ABCs, the nurse can promptly identify and address life-threatening issues to improve the patient's chances of survival during a cardiac arrest situation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Scabies is a contagious skin infestation caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite. The classic presentation of scabies includes a rash characterized by erythematous papules and vesicles that are arranged in a linear or burrow-like distribution. These linear tracks are often seen in areas such as the interdigital spaces, wrists, elbows, axillae, belt line, and genitalia. It is commonly associated with intense itching, especially at night. Unlike psoriasis, which presents with silvery scales and well-defined borders, or contact dermatitis, which results from exposure to a specific allergen or irritant, scabies is caused by a parasitic mite infestation. Atopic dermatitis, on the other hand, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by pruritic eczematous lesions, but it typically does not manifest with a linear distribution of lesions like scabies.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The presentation described, involving multiple grouped vesicles on an erythematous base in the genital area, is classic for herpes simplex genitalis. This condition is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and is characterized by recurrent outbreaks of painful vesicles in the genital or perianal area. The history of similar lesions occurring during periods of stress is also suggestive of herpes simplex virus reactivation. Genital warts (condyloma acuminata) typically present as painless, fleshy growths in the genital area caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Syphilis manifests as a painless ulcer known as a chancre, which is not described in the presentation. Molluscum contagiosum presents with pearly, dome-shaped papules with central umbilication, rather than vesicles.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition characterized by multiple, hyperpigmented, velvety plaques typically seen in flexural areas such as the axillae, neck, and groin. These lesions are often associated with obesity and insulin resistance. The appearance of acanthosis nigricans is distinct from other skin conditions such as seborrheic keratosis, dermatofibroma, and epidermal nevus. Acanthosis nigricans is commonly seen in conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome due to the insulin resistance that leads to the overgrowth of keratinocytes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The patient's presentation with recurrent episodes of vertigo, nausea, and nystagmus triggered by head movements, along with a positive Dix-Hallpike maneuver eliciting positional vertigo and rotary nystagmus, is classic for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). BPPV is the most common cause of vertigo due to a mechanical problem in the inner ear. In BPPV, brief episodes of vertigo are typically triggered by specific head movements, such as rolling over in bed or looking up. The characteristic rotary nystagmus observed in BPPV is consistent with the brief, intense episodes of vertigo that patients experience. The Dix-Hallpike maneuver, commonly used to diagnose BPPV, involves moving the patient from sitting to a supine head-hanging position and can induce vertigo and nystagmus in affected