A patient has informed the home health nurse that she has recently noticed distortions when she looks at the Amsler grid that she has mounted on her refrigerator. What is the nurses most appropriate action?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the home health nurse to take in this situation where a patient reports distortions when looking at an Amsler grid is to arrange for the patient to be assessed for macular degeneration. Distortions in straight lines on an Amsler grid are a common early symptom of macular degeneration, a progressive eye condition that affects central vision. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults, making assessment and early intervention crucial in preserving vision. It is important for the nurse to take the patient's symptoms seriously and facilitate timely evaluation and management to prevent further vision loss. This would involve referring the patient to an ophthalmologist or an eye care specialist for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A. Allowing fasting on Yom Kippur for a Jewish patient demonstrates culturally sensitive care by respecting and accommodating the religious practices of the patient. Yom Kippur is an important day of fasting and repentance in the Jewish faith, and by allowing the patient to observe this practice, the nurse shows understanding and support.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Assessing own biases and attitudes is the first step a nurse should take when beginning to use patient-centered care and cultural competence to improve nursing care. By becoming more aware of one's biases and attitudes about human behavior, the nurse can enhance self-awareness and self-reflection. This self-awareness is vital in understanding one's own perspectives, beliefs, and values that may influence interactions with patients from different cultural backgrounds. It also allows the nurse to identify areas that may require improvement or further education. Understanding and addressing personal biases is fundamental to providing patient-centered care and avoiding potential cultural misunderstandings that may arise in the healthcare setting.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The factor that most contributes to patients in hospice care not receiving adequate attention for their symptoms of the underlying illness is the unwillingness of patients and families to acknowledge that the patient is terminal. When patients and families are in denial or struggle to accept the terminal nature of the illness, they may avoid focusing on symptom management and comfort care that is essential in hospice care. This can prevent healthcare providers from effectively addressing and managing the patient's symptoms, leading to unnecessary suffering for the patient. Accepting the terminal nature of the illness allows for a shift in focus towards providing quality end-of-life care that prioritizes symptom management and comfort for the patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common adverse effects of chemotherapy. Administering an antiemetic helps to prevent or reduce these symptoms in patients undergoing chemotherapy. By managing nausea and vomiting, the patient's overall well-being and quality of life during treatment can be improved. Therefore, providing an antiemetic medication is essential in combating these adverse effects and promoting patient comfort and compliance with treatment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient undergoing interstitial implant for high-dose radiation (HDR) for prostate cancer will emit radiation that poses a risk to others. Limiting the time that visitors spend at the patient's bedside is essential to minimize their exposure to radiation. It is important to follow safety measures to protect both the patient and others from potential harm. Other options such as teaching the patient to perform basic care independently, assigning male nurses, or situating the patient in a shared room with other brachytherapy patients do not directly address the safety concern of radiation exposure to visitors.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the home health nurse to take in this situation where a patient reports distortions when looking at an Amsler grid is to arrange for the patient to be assessed for macular degeneration. Distortions in straight lines on an Amsler grid are a common early symptom of macular degeneration, a progressive eye condition that affects central vision. Macular degeneration is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults, making assessment and early intervention crucial in preserving vision. It is important for the nurse to take the patient's symptoms seriously and facilitate timely evaluation and management to prevent further vision loss. This would involve referring the patient to an ophthalmologist or an eye care specialist for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: External otitis, also known as swimmer's ear, is an infection of the outer ear canal. It is often characterized by aural tenderness, which means that the ear is sensitive to touch and can be painful, especially when pressure is applied to the area. This tenderness is a hallmark symptom of external otitis and helps differentiate it from other ear conditions. Other common symptoms of external otitis include ear pain, itchiness, redness, and swelling of the ear canal. External otitis is usually not accompanied by a high fever, and it is not typically related to an upper respiratory infection. Using cotton-tipped applicators to clean the ear can actually increase the risk of developing external otitis by disrupting the natural protective barrier of the ear canal.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The symptoms of urinary frequency, dysuria, and fever in a 35-year-old man are indicative of chronic bacterial prostatitis. Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which can be caused by bacterial infection. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is characterized by recurrent episodes of infection leading to symptoms like urinary urgency, frequency, dysuria, and sometimes fever. It is important to identify and treat chronic bacterial prostatitis promptly to prevent complications and improve quality of life for the patient.