A nurse is preparing to perform a colposcopy procedure for a patient with abnormal cervical cytology results. What action should the nurse prioritize to enhance patient comfort during colposcopy?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The best action the nurse should prioritize to enhance patient comfort during a colposcopy procedure is to explain the procedure steps and provide emotional support to the patient. Colposcopy is a procedure that involves examining the cervix, vagina, and vulva closely. Patients may feel anxious or uncomfortable during the procedure due to the sensitive nature of the area being examined and the potential concerns related to abnormal cervical cytology results. By explaining the procedure steps in detail before starting and providing emotional support, the nurse can help alleviate the patient's fears and anxieties, thereby enhancing their comfort and promoting a more positive experience overall. Additionally, establishing good communication and trust with the patient can also improve their cooperation during the procedure. Administering sedation, applying a topical anesthetic cream, and allowing a support person to be present are all important factors in providing holistic care as well, but the initial priority should be on communication and emotional support.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, pruritic inflammatory skin condition that typically presents in individuals with a personal or family history of asthma and allergic rhinitis (hay fever). The characteristic presentation includes erythematous papules, vesicles, and excoriations on the flexural surfaces of the elbows and knees. This type of dermatitis is commonly seen in patients with atopy, which refers to a genetic predisposition to develop allergic diseases like asthma, hay fever, and eczema. Therefore, given the patient's personal history of asthma and hay fever along with the described rash distribution and appearance, atopic dermatitis is the most likely diagnosis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The presentation described indicates a candidal infection, which commonly occurs in warm, moist body areas like inguinal folds and gluteal cleft. The pruritic, erythematous rash with scaly plaques and satellite papules and pustules is characteristic of cutaneous candidiasis. The recent antibiotic use for urinary tract infection likely disrupted the normal skin flora, predisposing the patient to a Candida overgrowth. Tinea cruris (jock itch) can also present similarly, but the presence of satellite papules and pustules is more indicative of candidiasis. Erythrasma typically presents as well-defined brown-red patches without satellite lesions, and intertrigo is a more generic term referring to inflammation of skin folds that can have various causes, including candidiasis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The presentation described is most consistent with a thyroid adenoma. Thyroid adenomas are benign neoplasms of the thyroid gland and can present as painless, gradually enlarging masses in the neck. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealing thyroid follicular cells further supports the diagnosis of a thyroid adenoma. Thyroglossal duct cysts typically present as midline neck masses that move with swallowing, while lymphadenopathy presents as enlarged lymph nodes and may be associated with infection or malignancy. Thyroid carcinoma may also present as a neck mass but is more likely to be associated with other features such as vocal cord paralysis, hoarseness, or enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient's presentation of recurrent episodes of sudden, severe vertigo lasting hours, along with nausea, vomiting, nystagmus, and unilateral weakness on vestibular function tests, is most consistent with vestibular neuritis. Vestibular neuritis is an inflammatory disorder of the vestibular nerve, typically viral in origin, leading to acute onset of vertigo. Patients often experience severe vertigo, imbalance, nausea, and vomiting, along with characteristic nystagmus. Unilateral weakness on vestibular function testing supports the diagnosis of vestibular neuritis, as it indicates dysfunction of one vestibular organ. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) typically presents with brief episodes of vertigo triggered by changes in head position without associated unilateral vestibular weakness. Ménière's disease is characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo associated with fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness, and