A patient is prescribed an anticoagulant for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Which laboratory parameter should the nurse monitor closely during anticoagulant therapy?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should monitor the International Normalized Ratio (INR) closely during anticoagulant therapy for the prevention of VTE. The INR measures the clotting ability of the blood and is used to monitor the effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy, such as warfarin. Maintaining the INR within the target therapeutic range is crucial to prevent both excessive bleeding due to over-anticoagulation and clotting events due to under-anticoagulation. Close monitoring of the INR helps healthcare providers adjust the anticoagulant dosage as needed to ensure optimal therapeutic outcomes and minimize risks. Platelet count, serum sodium levels, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) are important laboratory parameters to monitor for other medical conditions but are not specific to anticoagulant therapy.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Cor pulmonale is a condition characterized by right heart failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension, which is often caused by chronic hypoxemia. Chronic hypoxemia occurs in conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where there is limited airflow in and out of the lungs, leading to low oxygen levels in the blood. However, the specific characteristic of pulmonary hypertension leading to right heart failure distinguishes cor pulmonale from COPD. Other conditions like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pulmonary embolism (PE) may also lead to hypoxemia but are not primarily associated with pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure as in cor pulmonale.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Acute pyelonephritis is the most likely condition based on the patient presentation and urinalysis findings described. Acute pyelonephritis is an infection of the renal parenchyma and pelvis, typically caused by ascending bacteria from the lower urinary tract. The classic symptoms include fever, chills, flank pain, and costovertebral angle tenderness (tenderness over the kidneys). The presence of pyuria (pus in the urine) and bacteriuria (bacteria in the urine) on urinalysis further supports the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis. It is crucial to diagnose and treat acute pyelonephritis promptly to prevent complications and recurrent infections.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In a primiparous patient who complains of unrelieved perineal pain on the first postpartum day, Nurse Kayla should assess for a perineal hematoma. A perineal hematoma is a collection of blood in the perineal tissues and can cause significant pain and discomfort. It can be a result of trauma during delivery or due to a blood vessel rupture. This condition requires prompt assessment and intervention to prevent complications such as infection or excessive bleeding. Vaginal laceration would typically be identified during the delivery process and would have been repaired by the healthcare provider. History of drug abuse, while important to know for overall patient care, is not as relevant in this immediate postpartum pain assessment. Puerperal infection usually presents with other signs such as fever, foul-smelling discharge, and uterine tenderness, which are not mentioned in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Task A, obtaining special food for the patient when she requests it, can be delegated to the nursing assistant. This task involves simple assistance with gathering food items and does not require specific medical knowledge or interventions. Tasks B, C, and D involve more direct patient care and assessment, which should be performed by the nursing staff who have the necessary training and expertise to address the complexities of anorexia nervosa.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The description of multiple flesh-colored papular lesions with a central dell that tend to bleed upon minor trauma and have been increasing in number over time is characteristic of basal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer and typically presents as pearly or flesh-colored papules with telangiectasias (tiny blood vessels) and a characteristic central dell or ulceration. This type of skin cancer often occurs on sun-exposed areas like the face and trunk and can manifest as slow-growing lesions that may bleed easily with minor trauma. In contrast, squamous cell carcinoma typically presents as a scaly or crusted lesion, seborrheic keratosis is a benign skin growth with a waxy, stuck-on appearance, and actinic keratosis is a precancerous lesion characterized by rough, scaly patches on sun-exposed areas.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When planning for a client's care, a primary consideration is to prevent problems related to immobility. Immobility can lead to a range of complications such as pressure ulcers, muscle weakness, joint contractures, and decreased circulation. To maintain the client's overall health and well-being, it is essential to address mobility issues and implement strategies to prevent complications associated with immobility. By prioritizing interventions that promote movement and prevent immobility-related problems, the client's quality of life can be improved and potential health risks mitigated.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient's presentation of recurrent episodes of postnasal drip, chronic cough, halitosis, and foul-smelling, yellowish discharge from the middle meatus is highly suggestive of chronic rhinosinusitis. The presence of nasal polyps further supports this diagnosis. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is characterized by inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, leading to symptoms such as nasal congestion, postnasal drip, cough, and a reduced sense of smell. The yellowish discharge and foul odor are typical findings in cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with secondary bacterial infection. Nasal endoscopy may reveal edematous nasal mucosa and polyps obstructing the middle meatus, contributing to the symptoms described by the patient. Management typically involves a combination of medical therapies such as intranasal corticosteroids, saline irrigation, and antibiotics, and in some cases, surgical intervention

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The research design being referred to in the question is an experimental design. An experimental study involves the manipulation of an independent variable, which is the intervention in this case, to determine its effect on a dependent variable. "Blinding" in research refers to the practice of withholding information about the intervention from certain individuals involved in the study, such as researchers, participants, or outcome assessors. Blinding is commonly used in experimental studies to reduce bias and ensure the integrity of the study results. This combination of intervention and blinding is a hallmark of experimental research designs.