A patient presents with fever, headache, and a maculopapular rash that started on the face and spread to the trunk and extremities. Laboratory tests reveal leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. Which of the following is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The clinical presentation described with fever, headache, maculopapular rash starting on the face and spreading to the trunk and extremities, along with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia suggests a likely diagnosis of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), which is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Nurse Ace submitting a report to the physician about committing an error in medication demonstrates accountability. Accountability in healthcare refers to the responsibility of individuals to answer for their actions, decisions, and behaviors in the professional setting. By taking ownership of the mistake and informing the physician, Nurse Ace is showing accountability for her actions, ensuring that patient safety remains a priority. Compliance with reporting errors is essential for quality improvement and patient safety in healthcare settings.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Accurate assessment and intervention by the nurse or helping person are critical factors for successful integration of loss during the grieving process. This involves the nurse's ability to assess the patient's grieving process effectively, identify their needs, provide appropriate support, and intervene when necessary. By utilizing proper assessment techniques and offering timely interventions, the nurse helps facilitate the patient's journey through the grieving process, promoting healthy coping mechanisms and ultimately assisting in achieving successful integration of their loss. Trustworthiness and a healthy attitude about grief are important qualities for a nurse, but without accurate assessment and intervention, the grieving process may not progress smoothly.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Cleaning the inner cannula daily helps prevent the accumulation of secretions and debris, which can lead to blockages and infections. It is an essential aspect of tracheostomy care to maintain the patency of the airway and prevent complications. Caregivers should be taught how to safely remove, clean, and reinsert the inner cannula as part of routine tracheostomy care.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A dental abscess is a localized accumulation of pus within the periodontal tissues, often associated with deep periodontal pockets. This condition typically arises from bacterial infection in the tooth pulp (periapical abscess) or in the periodontal tissues (periodontal abscess). The pus accumulation leads to localized swelling, pain, and tenderness in the affected area. Treatment usually involves draining the abscess and addressing the underlying infection through root canal therapy, periodontal treatment, or extraction, depending on the extent of the infection. It is important to seek prompt dental care to prevent potential complications as abscesses can lead to severe pain, systemic infection, and even tooth loss if left untreated.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: It is not important for Myra to listen to the tape recordings only when she feels motivated or productive. In a nurse-patient interaction relationship, listening to tape recordings promptly (Choice A) is crucial because it ensures that any important information or cues are not missed or forgotten. Additionally, noting voice tone and inflection (Choice B) and observing pauses (Choice D) are essential for understanding the nuances and emotions conveyed during the interaction, which can be crucial in effective communication. Listening based on motivation may lead to delays and hamper the timely analysis and understanding of the interactions. Hence, it is important for Myra to prioritize active and focused listening to the tape recordings, regardless of her current motivation levels.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Qualitative research data are typically in text form rather than numeric or statistical data. This means that the data collected through qualitative research methods are descriptive and usually presented in the form of words, phrases, or narratives. Qualitative data often involve subjective interpretations, opinions, and in-depth insights, making text a more suitable format for capturing these nuances compared to numerical or quantitative data. The focus in qualitative research is on understanding experiences, meanings, and perspectives, which are best conveyed through textual data.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A vegetative state, now more commonly referred to as unresponsive wakefulness syndrome, describes a condition where the patient is awake but with no awareness of themselves or their surroundings. This state usually follows a severe brain injury, such as traumatic brain injury. Patients in a vegetative state may have sleep-wake cycles, open their eyes, and even exhibit reflex movements, but they do not demonstrate any meaningful interaction with the environment. Differentiating between coma and vegetative state is important, as coma implies a complete lack of consciousness, while patients in a vegetative state have preserved wakefulness without awareness. Minimally conscious state (choice C) refers to a condition where there are some minimal signs of awareness or purposeful interaction, making it a different state than the one described in the scenario. Locked-in syndrome (choice D) is a condition where the patient is conscious and aware but unable to move or communicate due to paralysis, which is not consistent

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In Participative Action Research (PAR), the core idea is to empower the community by involving them in the research process. By actively engaging community members in all stages of the research, they gain a sense of ownership and are empowered to take action based on the research findings. This approach ensures that the solutions generated are relevant, sustainable, and community-driven. Therefore, participation and engagement of the community is the step that will empower the community in PAR, unlike the other options where the focus is on external individuals or entities.