A patient drifts off to sleep when there is no stimulation. The nurse can arouse her easily by calling her name, but she remains drowsy during the conversation. The best description of this patient's level of consciousness would be:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lethargic. Lethargic is defined as a state of drowsiness or diminished alertness where the patient can be easily aroused by simple stimuli like calling their name, but they remain drowsy and may drift back to sleep. This patient's ability to be aroused by verbal stimuli and their drowsiness during conversation fits the description of lethargic. Explanation for other choices: B: Obtunded - Obtunded refers to a more severe level of decreased consciousness where the patient is difficult to fully arouse and may have limited interactions with the nurse. C: Stuporous - Stuporous indicates an even deeper state of unconsciousness where the patient requires significant stimulation to be aroused and has minimal responsiveness. D: Semialert - Semialert would describe a patient who is more responsive than lethargic, showing better awareness of their surroundings and able to maintain a conversation more effectively.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Senile angiomas. Senile angiomas are common benign growths of small blood vessels that appear as bright-red dots on the skin, commonly seen in older individuals. In this case, the patient is 32 years old, which is relatively young for an appearance of senile angiomas, but still within the possible age range. Anasarca (A) is generalized edema, not related to the described skin condition. Scleroderma (B) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by skin thickening and not associated with bright-red dots. Latent myeloma (D) is a type of bone marrow cancer and not related to the skin findings described.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because mammograms are specifically designed to detect abnormal growths or tumors in the breast tissue, particularly in the early stages of breast cancer. This is crucial for early detection and effective treatment. Choice B is incorrect because mammograms are not used to identify changes in hormone levels. Choice C is incorrect because mammograms do not evaluate lung function related to breast cancer. Choice D is incorrect because mammograms do not assess for signs of osteoporosis; a bone density scan is typically used for that purpose.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because shortness of breath with minimal exertion indicates possible respiratory distress, which can be a sign of significant lung damage from smoking. This symptom suggests a decreased ability to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide efficiently, potentially leading to serious health complications. Choice B is incorrect because an occasional cough with mucus production is common in smokers and may not be as alarming as shortness of breath. Choice C is incorrect as slight wheezing after physical activity could be due to exercise-induced asthma rather than solely smoking-related issues. Choice D is incorrect because even though the patient may not be experiencing symptoms related to smoking currently, it does not rule out potential underlying lung damage or future health risks associated with smoking.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Providing a source of fast-acting carbohydrate. In a hypoglycemic episode, the priority is to raise the blood sugar quickly to prevent further complications. Fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose tablets or orange juice can rapidly increase blood sugar levels. Administering insulin (choice A) can further lower blood sugar, checking blood glucose levels (choice C) may delay treatment, and contacting the healthcare provider (choice D) is not necessary in the immediate management of hypoglycemia.