A nurse is preparing to assist with a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) procedure for a patient. What action should the nurse prioritize to ensure patient safety during TEE?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Ensuring the availability of emergency equipment and resuscitation medications is crucial to prioritize patient safety during a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) procedure. TEE involves inserting a specialized probe (transducer) into the esophagus to obtain detailed images of the heart. While complications during TEE are rare, they can include adverse reactions to sedation, esophageal injury, arrhythmias, or other cardiac events. By having emergency equipment and resuscitation medications readily available, the healthcare team can respond promptly to any unforeseen complications or emergencies that may arise during the procedure, ensuring optimal patient safety. Placing the patient in a supine position, providing sedation, and advising the patient to fast before the procedure are important aspects of the TEE process; however, ensuring emergency preparedness takes precedence in prioritizing patient safety during the procedure.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Sevelamer is a medication commonly prescribed to reduce serum phosphate levels in patients with chronic kidney disease. Sevelamer is a phosphate binder that works by binding to dietary phosphate in the gut, preventing its absorption into the bloodstream. By reducing serum phosphate levels, sevelamer helps manage complications associated with hyperphosphatemia in chronic kidney disease patients, such as mineral and bone disorders. Other medications like epoetin alfa are used to treat anemia commonly seen in chronic kidney disease patients, while cinacalcet is used to manage secondary hyperparathyroidism. Allopurinol, on the other hand, is used to treat gout by reducing uric acid levels and is not indicated for reducing serum phosphate levels in chronic kidney disease patients.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Demerol (meperidine hydrochloride) is an opioid analgesic commonly used as a preoperative medication to decrease intra-operative anesthetic requirements and provide analgesia. Opioids like Demerol act on the central nervous system to reduce pain sensations, making it an effective choice for preoperative pain management. This can help decrease the amount of anesthesia needed during surgery, leading to better pain control and overall patient comfort during and after the procedure. Celebrex, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are also used for pain management, but they do not have the same potency and mechanism of action as opioids like Demerol for reducing intra-operative anesthetic requirements.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: It is not important for Myra to listen to the tape recordings only when she feels motivated or productive. In a nurse-patient interaction relationship, listening to tape recordings promptly (Choice A) is crucial because it ensures that any important information or cues are not missed or forgotten. Additionally, noting voice tone and inflection (Choice B) and observing pauses (Choice D) are essential for understanding the nuances and emotions conveyed during the interaction, which can be crucial in effective communication. Listening based on motivation may lead to delays and hamper the timely analysis and understanding of the interactions. Hence, it is important for Myra to prioritize active and focused listening to the tape recordings, regardless of her current motivation levels.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Administering systemic analgesia, such as pain medications or anesthesia, before the wound debridement procedure is the most effective way to minimize patient discomfort. These medications will help manage and reduce the pain experienced by the patient during the procedure, making it more tolerable for them. Topical anesthetic cream may provide some localized relief but may not be sufficient for significant pain management during a wound debridement procedure. Using sharp debridement techniques or performing the procedure quickly may help reduce manipulation or duration, respectively, but these actions alone may not adequately address the patient's pain and discomfort. Administering systemic analgesia ensures that the patient's overall pain is managed, promoting a more comfortable and successful wound debridement procedure.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Nursing mothers should not wash their nipples with soap and water prior to feeding. Using soap can dry out the skin and potentially lead to irritation or cracking of the nipple, which can increase the risk of mastitis. It is recommended to simply clean the nipples with water, if necessary.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Endometriosis is a condition characterized by the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. One common symptom of endometriosis is excessive menstrual bleeding, known as menorrhagia. This excessive bleeding is due to the presence of endometrial tissue in abnormal locations, leading to inflammation, scarring, and blood accumulation. In severe cases, endometriosis can lead to the formation of adhesions, cysts, and scar tissue, causing significant pain and fertility issues for affected individuals. Endometrial hyperplasia, leiomyomas (uterine fibroids), and adenomyosis are other gynecological conditions, but they do not involve the abnormal proliferation of endometrial tissue outside the uterus like endometriosis does.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The patient has the right to demand that information, records, and communications pertaining to their care be kept confidential under the Right to Privacy and Confidentiality as outlined in the Patient's Bill of Rights. However, financial status is generally not considered part of the confidential medical information and may not fall under the same level of protection as personal health information. Therefore, the patient cannot demand that their financial status be treated as confidential under this particular right.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The patient who had a left total hip replacement surgery due to osteoarthritis needs to strictly follow the postoperative teaching of being shown how to gently irrigate the external auditory canal because this instruction is unrelated to a hip replacement surgery. The other options are not relevant to the surgery and patient's condition. Option A about airplane travel, Option C about dizziness, and Option D about hair washing are not appropriate instructions for a patient who had a hip replacement. It is important for healthcare providers to give accurate and relevant postoperative instructions to help the patient recover successfully.