A patient is at the clinic to have her blood pressure checked. She has been coming to the clinic weekly since she changed medications 2 months ago. The nurse should:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because collecting a follow-up data base allows the nurse to assess any changes in the patient's health status since her last visit, including evaluating the effectiveness of the new medication on her blood pressure. This step is essential to ensure the patient's ongoing care is appropriate and effective. Option B is incorrect because asking the patient to read her health record may not provide a comprehensive update on her current health status. Option C is incorrect as the patient's health history may have changed within the 2-month period, necessitating a reassessment. Option D is incorrect as obtaining a complete health history before checking her blood pressure may delay the assessment and may not be necessary for a routine follow-up visit.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The obturator sign is a test for appendicitis. B is correct because it describes the characteristic pain felt in the right hypogastric region when the right hip and knee are flexed and internally rotated, indicating irritation of the obturator muscle due to an inflamed appendix. A is incorrect as it describes rebound tenderness in a different location. C is incorrect as it describes pain with thigh extension or flexion, not internal rotation. D is incorrect as it describes pain that affects breathing, not related to obturator muscle irritation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 11. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), this patient scores 4 for eye opening (to painful stimulus), 3 for verbal response (mumbles incoherently), and 4 for motor response (localizes to painful stimulus), totaling 11. This indicates moderate brain injury. Choice A (9) is incorrect because the patient localizes to pain, indicating a higher level of responsiveness than a GCS score of 9. Choice C (13) and D (15) are also incorrect as the patient's responses do not align with a higher GCS score due to the patient's inability to follow verbal commands effectively.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. During a lumbar puncture, the client should be positioned in a side-lying position with the legs pulled up and head bent down onto the chest. This position helps to open up the spaces between the vertebrae, making it easier for the healthcare provider to access the lumbar area. Placing the legs up also helps to widen the spaces between the vertebrae, making it easier to insert the needle without damaging the spinal cord. The head bent down onto the chest helps to round the back, further increasing the space between the vertebrae. Choice A is incorrect because placing a pillow under the hip does not provide the necessary positioning for a lumbar puncture. Choice B is incorrect as the prone position with a pillow under the abdomen would not facilitate access to the lumbar area. Choice C is incorrect as the Trendelenburg's position is not recommended for lumbar punctures as it can increase intracranial pressure.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Facial movements and expression. Cranial nerve VII, also known as the facial nerve, primarily controls facial muscles responsible for facial expressions, such as smiling and frowning. It also innervates the muscles involved in closing the eyes and controlling the forehead and mouth movements. Other choices are incorrect because cranial nerve VII is not primarily responsible for hearing and balance (A), swallowing and speech (C), or eye movement (D). The key function of cranial nerve VII lies in its role in facial movements and expressions.