A nurse is preparing to perform a central venous catheter (CVC) dressing change for a patient. What action should the nurse prioritize to minimize the risk of infection?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should prioritize removing the old dressing and applying a new dressing using sterile technique to minimize the risk of infection during a central venous catheter (CVC) dressing change. This is because the most critical step in preventing infection is maintaining a clean and sterile environment around the CVC insertion site. By using sterile technique, the nurse can reduce the introduction of microorganisms that could potentially lead to infection. Wearing sterile gloves and cleaning the insertion site with an alcohol-based antiseptic solution are important steps as well, but the key priority lies in applying the new dressing using sterile technique to prevent contamination and reduce the risk of infection.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should prioritize screening the patient for contraindications to MRI, such as metal implants or claustrophobia, to ensure procedural safety. Metallic objects can be hazardous in an MRI environment as they can be attracted to the magnet, potentially causing harm to the patient or staff. Claustrophobia can also be a significant issue for patients undergoing an MRI scan, and identifying this beforehand allows for appropriate measures to be taken to address the patient's anxiety or discomfort. Prioritizing this screening step helps ensure the safety and well-being of the patient during the MRI procedure.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The presentation of a painful, vesicular rash in a dermatomal distribution on the left thorax, specifically in a patient with a history of chickenpox, is most suggestive of herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Herpes zoster is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nerve cells and can reactivate years later to cause shingles. The rash in herpes zoster typically progresses through different stages, including red patches leading to fluid-filled blisters. The characteristic rash typically appears unilaterally and is usually preceded by pain, burning, or tingling in the affected area. Unlike herpes simplex virus infection, which can cause similar lesions but is not typically localized to a specific dermatome, herpes zoster presents as a distinct unilateral cluster of vesicles along

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The presentation of a pruritic, erythematous rash with edematous plaques and vesicles on the hands and fingers in a patient with a history of exposure to detergents and frequent hand washing is most indicative of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis can be caused by direct contact with irritants such as detergents or chemicals, leading to skin irritation and inflammation. In this case, the history of exposure to detergents and hand washing suggests that the rash is likely due to irritant contact dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and pityriasis rosea do not typically present with the same pattern of rash in response to irritant exposure.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient's presentation of a pruritic, annular rash with fine scaling and central clearing, affecting the trunk and proximal extremities, following exposure to a new soap and laundry detergent is most consistent with tinea corporis, commonly known as ringworm. Ringworm is a superficial fungal infection caused by dermatophytes that can present with circular or annular lesions with central clearing and scaling. The exposure to new soap and laundry detergent may have disrupted the skin's microbiome, making it more vulnerable to fungal infections like tinea corporis. Nummular eczema typically presents as coin-shaped plaques rather than annular lesions, while pityriasis rosea presents with a herald patch followed by smaller similar lesions in a "Christmas tree" distribution. Lichen planus would not typically be associated with exposure to new soap and laundry detergent but can have distinct purple, polygonal papules.