A patient presents with a painless, gradually enlarging mass in the left neck, anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Fine-needle aspiration cytology reveals thyroid follicular cells. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The presentation described is most consistent with a thyroid adenoma. Thyroid adenomas are benign neoplasms of the thyroid gland and can present as painless, gradually enlarging masses in the neck. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealing thyroid follicular cells further supports the diagnosis of a thyroid adenoma. Thyroglossal duct cysts typically present as midline neck masses that move with swallowing, while lymphadenopathy presents as enlarged lymph nodes and may be associated with infection or malignancy. Thyroid carcinoma may also present as a neck mass but is more likely to be associated with other features such as vocal cord paralysis, hoarseness, or enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Before initiating hydrotherapy for pain relief during labor, the nurse's priority action should be to assess the maternal and fetal conditions to determine if the mother is eligible for this form of pain management. It is essential to ensure that hydrotherapy is safe and appropriate for the specific situation. Assessing the maternal condition includes evaluating factors such as the stage of labor, maternal and fetal well-being, and any medical conditions that could impact the use of hydrotherapy. This assessment helps to identify any contraindications or risks that may affect the mother and baby during hydrotherapy. By conducting a thorough assessment, the nurse can make an informed decision about whether hydrotherapy is suitable for the woman in labor.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Flexibility is the most important criterion in budgeting because it allows for adjustments to be made as circumstances change. Budgeting is a dynamic process, and having a flexible budget enables organizations or individuals to adapt to unexpected changes in income or expenses. This helps in ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively to meet the overall financial goals. Consistency, standardization, and cost-effectiveness are also important considerations in budgeting, but flexibility is key to successfully managing financial resources in a changing environment.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Nicotine, a substance found in cigarettes, is known to have harmful effects on pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy can lead to numerous complications, one of which is the increased risk of delivering a low birth weight infant. Low birth weight infants are born weighing less than 5.5 pounds (2.5 kilograms) and are at a higher risk of various health issues, developmental delays, and even mortality. Therefore, Nurse Emma advised the patient to quit smoking to reduce the risk of having a low birth weight infant.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) are prescribed to manage anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Monitoring the hemoglobin level closely during ESA therapy is crucial to ensure that the treatment is effective in increasing red blood cell production without causing excessive elevation. Hemoglobin levels should be checked regularly to adjust the ESA dosage accordingly and prevent risks associated with high hematocrit levels, such as increasing blood viscosity and cardiovascular events. Monitoring serum potassium, creatinine, and platelet count are important in the management of chronic kidney disease for different reasons, but for ESA therapy, monitoring hemoglobin is the most essential parameter.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: It is essential for the nurse to document important observations made during a tracheostomy procedure, and this includes the amount, color, and consistency of sputum as well as the appearance of the incision. Monitoring these factors helps assess the patient's respiratory status, risk of infection, and wound healing progress. Ensuring detailed documentation in this area allows for timely intervention if there are any concerning changes observed post-procedure. Observations such as the response of the patient, vital signs during the procedure, and patient behavior are also important but may be documented separately from the specific details related to sputum, incision appearance, and wound care.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Preoperative nursing intervention that is essential for preparing a patient with a history of coronary artery disease for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is assisting the patient with deep breathing and coughing exercises. These exercises are crucial to prevent postoperative complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia, which are common risks after surgery. Deep breathing exercises help to expand the lungs and improve ventilation, while coughing exercises help to clear secretions and prevent respiratory complications. By assisting the patient with these exercises preoperatively, the nurse can help optimize the patient's respiratory function and decrease the risk of complications during and after surgery. Administering aspirin, providing education about pain management, and obtaining informed consent are also important aspects of preoperative care, but assisting with deep breathing and coughing exercises is particularly essential for patients undergoing CABG surgery due to the increased risk of respiratory complications in this population.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: After formulating and delimiting the research problem, the priority action would be to plan the research design of the study. This is crucial because the research design will outline the specific methods and procedures that Gloria will use to investigate the research problem and answer the research questions. Planning the research design involves determining the overall structure of the study, selecting the appropriate research methods, and outlining how data will be collected and analyzed. This step is essential for ensuring that the study is well-organized, rigorous, and will yield reliable results. Developing a solid research design early on will set a strong foundation for the rest of the research process.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The symptoms of polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger) are classic signs of diabetes mellitus. In this case, the presence of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and glycosuria (glucose in the urine) further support the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Insulin deficiency or resistance in diabetes leads to impaired glucose utilization and excessive glucose in the bloodstream, causing the classic symptoms observed in the patient. Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and Cushing's syndrome do not typically present with the hallmark symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia associated with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.