Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The healthcare team should prioritize administering lactulose or other ammonia-lowering agents to manage hepatic encephalopathy in a patient with acute liver failure. Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that occurs in patients with liver dysfunction, leading to the accumulation of ammonia and other neurotoxic metabolites in the bloodstream. Lactulose works by acidifying the colon, which promotes the conversion of ammonia to ammonium, a less toxic form that can be excreted in the stool. By reducing the levels of ammonia, lactulose helps improve the neurological symptoms associated with hepatic encephalopathy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Quality Improvement is a systematic approach that aims to continually enhance the quality of services or products within an organization. The statement that is true of Quality Improvement is that it focuses on continually improving every process in the organization (Option B). This includes processes related to patient care, organizational structure, and all aspects of operations. Quality Improvement involves identifying areas for improvement, implementing changes, monitoring the effectiveness of those changes, and then making further refinements. By focusing on every process within the organization, Quality Improvement helps drive positive outcomes and ensures sustainable improvements in quality and performance.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: After activating the emergency response system, the immediate priority in CPR is to begin chest compressions to support blood circulation. High-quality chest compressions are crucial in providing oxygen to vital organs, especially the brain, during cardiac arrest. Starting chest compressions promptly can improve the chances of survival for the person in need of CPR. Checking for breathing, performing abdominal thrusts, or assessing pulse should only be done after initiating chest compressions in the CPR sequence.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate intervention for a patient with difficulty swallowing due to end-stage ALS and concerns about choking is to refer the patient to a speech therapist for swallowing exercises and techniques (Choice B). Speech therapists are trained to assess and manage swallowing difficulties in patients, especially those with neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. They can provide specific exercises and strategies to help the patient swallow safely and reduce the risk of choking. This intervention focuses on addressing the underlying issue causing the difficulty swallowing and aims to improve the patient's quality of life by enhancing their ability to eat and drink. The other options are not as effective or appropriate in addressing the patient's concerns.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A profession is characterized by having a body of knowledge, a code of ethics, and engaging in research. However, being a member of a professional organization is not a defining characteristic of a profession. While many professionals may choose to join professional organizations for networking, support, and career advancement reasons, membership in such organizations is not universally required or exclusive to being considered a professional in a particular field. Hence, the presence or absence of professional organization membership does not determine the professional status of an individual.