A patient describes feeling an unreasonable, irrational fear of snakes. His fear is so persistent that he can no longer comfortably look at even pictures of snakes and has made an effort to identify all the places he might encounter a snake and avoids them. The nurse recognizes that he:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Has a snake phobia. The patient's persistent and irrational fear of snakes that interferes with his daily life indicates a phobia. Phobias are characterized by an intense fear of a specific object or situation, leading to avoidance behaviors. In this case, the patient's fear of snakes is excessive and unreasonable, causing significant distress. It is not a hypochondriac (B) because the fear is specific to snakes and not related to health concerns. It is not an obsession (C) because the fear of snakes is not driven by intrusive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. It is not a delusion (D) because the fear is not based on a false belief, but rather an irrational fear.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because older adults may have mobility issues, so minimizing position changes during the exam helps prevent discomfort or falls. This approach promotes patient safety and comfort. Choice A is incorrect as appropriate touch is essential for a thorough assessment. Choice B is incorrect as older adults may tire easily, so breaking up the exam into manageable parts is preferable. Choice C is incorrect as speaking loudly and slowly may be perceived as patronizing and is not necessary unless the patient has hearing difficulties.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because kyphosis and flexion in the knees and hips are common age-related changes in older adults. Kyphosis is the forward curvature of the spine, and flexion in the knees and hips can occur due to joint stiffness and muscle weakness. These changes are considered normal in older adults. Option A is incorrect because an increase in body weight is not necessarily normal with aging. Option B is incorrect as additional fat deposits on specific body parts may not necessarily be considered normal. Option D is incorrect because a change in overall body proportion with a longer trunk and shorter extremities is not a typical age-related change.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because research has shown that on average, Black adults tend to have higher blood pressure compared to White adults of the same age. This is due to a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It is important for healthcare professionals to be aware of these differences to provide appropriate care and interventions. Choice A is incorrect because blood pressure readings in women after menopause actually tend to increase due to hormonal changes. Choice C is incorrect because being overweight is a risk factor for high blood pressure, so individuals who are overweight are more likely to have higher blood pressure readings compared to those at a normal weight. Choice D is incorrect because a teenager's blood pressure reading can vary, but it is not always lower than that of an adult. Teenagers can also have high blood pressure, especially if they have risk factors such as obesity or a family history of hypertension.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct technique for counting an infant's respirations is to watch the abdomen for movement. This is because infants are obligate nasal breathers, so abdominal movement is a more accurate indicator of their breathing pattern. Watching the chest rise and fall (choice A) may not accurately reflect the infant's respiratory rate. Placing a hand across the infant's chest (choice C) may interfere with their breathing and is not recommended. Using a stethoscope to listen to breath sounds (choice D) is not necessary for counting respirations in infants.