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.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In the scenario described, the patient is experiencing refractory hypotension despite adequate fluid resuscitation, indicating the presence of septic shock. In septic shock, systemic vasodilation and vascular hyporesponsiveness contribute to hypotension. Therefore, the primary management approach is to restore vascular tone and blood pressure to maintain organ perfusion. Administering vasopressor medications (Choice A) is the crucial intervention to achieve this goal. Vasopressors, such as norepinephrine or vasopressin, constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure, helping to stabilize the patient in septic shock. While options B and C (performing blood cultures and initiating broad-spectrum antibiotics) are important for identifying the causative pathogen and treating the infection, they are secondary to the immediate need for hemodynamic support in septic shock. Prophylactic anticoagulation (Choice D) is not the primary intervention for

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Bruxism is the dental condition characterized by the involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth, often occurring during sleep. This habitual behavior can lead to tooth wear, muscle pain, headaches, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Dental caries (choice A) refers to tooth decay, while attrition (choice B) specifically refers to the wearing down of teeth due to forces like chewing. Periodontitis (choice D) is a condition involving inflammation and infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Among the choices provided, bruxism is the most fitting description for the condition characterized by tooth grinding and clenching.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most likely causative agent in this scenario is Plasmodium falciparum, a protozoan parasite that causes malaria. The patient's symptoms of fever, chills, headache, and myalgia align with the typical presentation of malaria. Additionally, the presence of intraerythrocytic ring forms and trophozoites on blood smear examination is characteristic of Plasmodium species, particularly P. falciparum, which causes the most severe form of malaria.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The presentation described in the question – sudden-onset unilateral headache along with ipsilateral ptosis, miosis, and anhidrosis – is characteristic of Horner syndrome. Horner syndrome is caused by disruption of the sympathetic nerve pathway and can occur in trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful condition affecting the trigeminal nerve commonly characterized by sudden and severe facial pain that can be triggered by various stimuli. The involvement of the sympathetic pathway in trigeminal neuralgia can lead to Horner syndrome symptoms such as ptosis (drooping eyelid), miosis (constricted pupil), and anhidrosis (lack of sweating) on the affected side of the face. Cluster headaches usually involve severe unilateral pain around the eye, but they do not typically present with Horner syndrome symptoms. Migraine and tension-type headaches also do not typically present with Horner syndrome symptoms.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A hard mass and a reddened area on one breast are key clinical signs that confirm the diagnosis of mastitis. Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue that often presents with localized redness, warmth, and swelling of the breast. The presence of a hard mass along with the other symptoms suggests inflammation and infection within the breast tissue. In contrast, the other findings such as enlarged glands in the axilla, normal temperature, and engorged breasts are not specific findings for mastitis and may be present in other conditions. Therefore, the presence of a hard mass and reddened area on one breast is the additional finding that strongly confirms the diagnosis of mastitis in this case.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A physical therapist would be the best member of the multidisciplinary team to collaborate with when a patient can benefit from using a leg prosthesis. Physical therapists specialize in assessing and treating movement disorders, including those related to amputation and prosthetic use. They can help the patient improve their mobility, strength, balance, and overall functional abilities with the prosthesis. Physical therapists can provide training on how to use the prosthesis effectively, reduce the risk of falls, and optimize the patient's independence and quality of life. Collaborating with a physical therapist ensures that the patient receives comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs and goals related to using a leg prosthesis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The most appropriate response is "Many of the health services are given free, but we people pay for them just the same through our taxes." This response acknowledges the fact that public health services are funded by taxpayers, even though they may be perceived as free by the public. It highlights the connection between government funding and the provision of health services, emphasizing that these services are not truly free but are paid for through taxes. It also addresses the misconception that these services are entirely free without any costs involved.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The first action the nurse should take when a patient post-thyroidectomy develops signs of hypocalcemia is to assess the patient's calcium level. By assessing the patient's calcium level through laboratory testing, the nurse can confirm the presence of hypocalcemia and determine the severity of the condition. This information will guide further interventions, such as administering calcium supplements or notifying the healthcare provider for additional management. It is important to confirm the diagnosis before proceeding with treatment to ensure appropriate and safe care for the patient.