A patient presents with unilateral facial paralysis, inability to close the eye on the affected side, and loss of taste sensation on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Which of the following conditions is most likely responsible for this presentation?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the varicella-zoster virus affecting the geniculate ganglion, leading to a triad of symptoms known as the Hunt syndrome: facial paralysis, ear pain, and a vesicular rash in the ear or palate. The facial paralysis in Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually peripheral, similar to Bell's palsy, but may be more severe. In addition to facial paralysis, the patient may have the inability to close the eye on the affected side (lagophthalmos) and loss of taste sensation on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue due to involvement of the chorda tympani nerve. This differentiation is important to consider in the context of our patient's presentation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels closely during ACE inhibitor therapy because ACE inhibitors can lead to an increase in serum potassium levels, known as hyperkalemia. ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which in turn decreases aldosterone secretion. Aldosterone normally acts in the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and water and excrete potassium. Therefore, when aldosterone secretion is decreased due to ACE inhibitor therapy, there can be an increase in potassium retention, potentially leading to hyperkalemia. Monitoring serum potassium levels is essential to prevent complications associated with hyperkalemia, such as cardiac arrhythmias.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the varicella-zoster virus affecting the geniculate ganglion, leading to a triad of symptoms known as the Hunt syndrome: facial paralysis, ear pain, and a vesicular rash in the ear or palate. The facial paralysis in Ramsay Hunt syndrome is usually peripheral, similar to Bell's palsy, but may be more severe. In addition to facial paralysis, the patient may have the inability to close the eye on the affected side (lagophthalmos) and loss of taste sensation on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue due to involvement of the chorda tympani nerve. This differentiation is important to consider in the context of our patient's presentation.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse's priority action when noticing an abnormal heart rhythm on the patient's cardiac monitor during surgery is to assess the patient's vital signs and symptoms. This is important because the nurse needs to gather more information about the patient's condition to determine the significance of the abnormal rhythm and the potential impact on the patient's health. By assessing the vital signs and symptoms, the nurse can obtain a more complete picture of the situation and make informed decisions about the next steps in caring for the patient. Once the assessment is done, appropriate actions such as administering medication or notifying the anesthesiologist can be taken based on the findings.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The esophagus is responsible for propelling food from the oral cavity to the stomach through a series of coordinated muscular contractions. These contractions are known as peristalsis. The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat (pharynx) to the stomach and plays a crucial role in moving food bolus from the mouth to the stomach for digestion. The tongue helps in the chewing and swallowing of food, the pharynx is involved in the passage of food and air, and the epiglottis helps prevent food from entering the airways during swallowing. However, it is the esophagus that actively moves the food to the stomach.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Hemoperfusion is not a standard management technique for poisoning. The other options are commonly used methods in managing poisoning cases.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The presentation of knee pain and swelling following a fall onto a flexed knee, along with a palpable effusion and tenderness along the joint line, is highly suggestive of a meniscus injury. The McMurray's test specifically evaluates for meniscal tears. In this case, the presence of pain and clicking with passive knee flexion and internal rotation indicates a medial meniscus tear as the most likely diagnosis. Patellar tendinitis usually presents with anterior knee pain that is worsened by activities such as jumping or running. Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sprain typically presents with lateral knee pain and instability. Quadriceps tendon rupture would present with significant weakness and inability to fully extend the knee, which is not described in this scenario.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most appropriate intervention for managing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is to administer combination antibiotic therapy targeting the specific resistant pathogens identified in the patient's culture results. MDROs are often resistant to multiple antibiotics, so combination therapy is required to maximize the chances of effectively treating the infection. Identifying the specific pathogens causing the VAP through cultures is crucial in tailoring the antibiotic therapy to target these organisms effectively. Implementing appropriate antibiotic therapy promptly is essential to improve outcomes and prevent further complications in patients with VAP caused by MDROs. Option A is the priority intervention in this case to address the multidrug-resistant nature of the infection and provide targeted treatment for the patient.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The Patient's Bill of Rights typically focuses on ensuring patients have the right to certain aspects of their healthcare, such as the right to refuse treatment, the right to informed consent, and the right to receive treatment. Civil commitment, on the other hand, refers to the legal process through which an individual is involuntarily placed in a psychiatric facility for evaluation and treatment. This issue is not typically addressed in the Patient's Bill of Rights, as it involves specific legal procedures rather than general patient rights.