A patient is postoperative day 6 following tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy. The patient has phoned the surgical unit and states that she is experiencing occasional sharp, shooting pains in her affected ear. How should the nurse best interpret this patients complaint?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Postoperative day 6 following tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy is still within the early phase of recovery, where occasional sharp, shooting pains in the affected ear can be expected due to the healing process. Here's a step-by-step rationale: 1. Timing: It is only day 6 post-surgery, so it is normal to experience some pain as part of the healing process. 2. Nature of pain: Sharp, shooting pains are common post-surgery due to tissue healing and nerve regeneration. 3. Lack of other symptoms: The patient did not report any other concerning symptoms like fever or discharge, which would be more indicative of an infection. 4. Unlikely complications: Spontaneous rupture of the tympanic membrane or unsuccessful surgery would typically present with more severe and consistent symptoms. Summary: - B: Unlikely as there are no other signs of infection. - C: Unlikely as the pain is described as occasional and sharp. - D:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Communication. Healthcare records are essential for effective communication among healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care. They help convey important information about a patient's condition, treatment plan, and progress. Explanation: 1. Communication: Healthcare records facilitate communication between different healthcare team members, ensuring coordinated and efficient care delivery. 2. Legal documentation: While important, legal documentation is a separate purpose of healthcare records, not directly related to communication. 3. Reimbursement: Healthcare records are used for billing and reimbursement purposes, but this is not directly related to communication. 4. Nursing process: The nursing process involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care, which is documented in healthcare records. However, this is not a primary purpose related to communication.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Correct Answer: D - Proper hand hygiene techniques Rationale: 1. Clostridium difficile is mainly spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. 2. Proper hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent the spread of bacteria. 3. Hand hygiene removes bacteria from hands, reducing the risk of transmission. 4. Appropriate disposal (A) is important but doesn't directly prevent spread. Monthly in-services (B) and mandatory cultures (C) are not as effective as hand hygiene in preventing transmission.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (D): Checking with the pharmacy for availability of liquid forms of medications is the best action because it reduces the risk of clogging the nasogastric tube. Liquid medications are less likely to cause blockages compared to nonliquid medications. Additionally, liquid forms are easier to administer through the tube. By using liquid medications, the nurse can ensure that the medications flow smoothly through the tube without causing any obstructions. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A: Instilling nonliquid medications without diluting can increase the risk of tube clogging. B: Irrigating the tube with water after all medications are given may not prevent clogging effectively and could introduce unnecessary moisture into the tube. C: Mixing all medications together can lead to potential drug interactions and may not address the issue of tube clogging effectively.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Protecting the safety of the patient, family, and staff. This is the priority when planning care for a patient undergoing radiation therapy due to the potential risks of radiation exposure to others. Ensuring safety involves implementing proper radiation safety protocols, educating the patient and family on safety measures, and providing a safe environment for all. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Preventing hemorrhage is important but not the top priority during radiation therapy. Ensuring the patient understands the treatment's purpose is essential but not the immediate priority. Adherence to dietary restrictions is important for overall health but is not the primary focus when prioritizing actions for radiation therapy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Drink more water to prevent further dehydration. Given the patient's fair skin turgor, fatigue, weakness, warm and dry skin, elevated pulse rate, and slightly elevated urinary sodium level, these are signs of dehydration. Increasing water intake would help improve the patient's hydration status. Other choices are incorrect because B (calorie-dense fluids) does not address the dehydration issue, C (milk and dairy products) does not directly address the symptoms presented, and D (grapefruit juice) is not essential for hydration in this case.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 10-mL Luer-Lok syringe. The nurse should use this syringe to obtain a gastric aspirate for pH testing because it allows for accurate measurement of the aspirate volume. Asepto syringe (B) is not suitable for this purpose as it is not designed for accurate measurement. Sterile gloves (C) and double gloves (D) are not equipment used specifically for obtaining gastric aspirate for pH testing. Sterile gloves are used for infection control, and double gloves are used for additional protection during procedures.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: African Americans. African American men have the highest incidence rate of prostate cancer among all ethnic groups. This is due to genetic and environmental factors, as well as disparities in access to healthcare. Native Americans (A), Caucasian Americans (B), and Asian Americans (D) have lower rates of prostate cancer compared to African Americans. It is important to educate the local men's group about this increased risk in African Americans to promote awareness and early detection.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Monitor the patient for fever, rash, and difficulty breathing. The rationale is as follows: 1. Renal calculus obstruction can lead to complications such as infection, so monitoring for fever is crucial. 2. Rash can indicate an allergic reaction to the contrast dye used in the procedure. 3. Difficulty breathing may signal a severe reaction or complications. Summary: A: Turning the patient on the right side does not directly address the urgent need to monitor for potential complications. B: While fluid intake is important, it is not the immediate priority when the patient is at risk of developing complications. D: Administering narcotic medications may be necessary for pain relief but does not address the potential emergent issues related to the obstruction.