A patient receiving palliative care for end-stage dementia experiences agitation and restlessness. What intervention should the palliative nurse prioritize to address the patient's symptoms?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate intervention for a patient with end-stage dementia experiencing agitation and restlessness is to create a calm and soothing environment to promote relaxation. Patients with dementia often respond positively to a familiar and tranquil setting, which can help reduce their symptoms of agitation and restlessness. This approach is preferred over administering antipsychotic medications or recommending physical exercise, as these may not be feasible or beneficial for patients in the advanced stages of dementia. Referring the patient to a psychiatrist may not address the immediate need for symptom management and can be considered if other interventions are ineffective. Creating a calm environment, such as dim lighting, soft music, and familiar objects, can help provide comfort and reduce distress for the patient.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In a patient with acute gastrointestinal bleeding requiring urgent intervention, the healthcare team should prioritize performing endoscopic hemostasis with mechanical or thermal techniques. Endoscopy allows for direct visualization of the source of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, enabling targeted interventions such as clipping, cauterization, or injection of epinephrine to achieve hemostasis. This approach is effective in managing acute bleeds and can help stop the bleeding quickly, reducing the need for more invasive procedures or surgeries. Administering proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be considered for acid-related bleeding, but it is not the primary intervention for acute bleeding requiring urgent management. Strict bed rest may not be necessary and can increase the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis. Transfusion of fresh frozen plasma may be indicated if there is evidence of coagulopathy, but addressing the bleeding source should be the initial priority to

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: ** In a patient with ARDS, the priority intervention to manage respiratory failure is to initiate lung-protective mechanical ventilation with low tidal volume. ARDS is characterized by widespread inflammation and injury to the alveoli, leading to impaired gas exchange and severe hypoxemia. Lung-protective ventilation strategies aim to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury by using lower tidal volumes (around 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) to reduce barotrauma and volutrauma.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the scenario described, with the patient having an acute exacerbation of chronic kidney disease (CKD) leading to hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis, the priority intervention to manage the metabolic derangements is to perform emergent hemodialysis for potassium removal. Hemodialysis is the most effective and rapid method to lower dangerously high potassium levels in the blood. It is crucial in cases of severe hyperkalemia where other measures such as medications or dietary modifications may not be sufficient or fast enough to correct the elevated potassium levels. Additionally, hemodialysis can also help in improving metabolic acidosis by removing waste products and excess electrolytes from the blood. Overall, emergent hemodialysis is the most appropriate intervention for managing the acute metabolic abnormalities in this critically ill patient.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The scenario described is suggestive of a meniscus injury. A twisting injury during sports activity leading to acute knee pain and swelling, accompanied by joint effusion and tenderness along the joint line, is commonly associated with meniscus tears. The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage structure located between the femur and tibia in the knee joint, providing cushioning and stability. The symptoms of a meniscus tear typically include pain, swelling, joint line tenderness, and sometimes mechanical symptoms like locking or clicking. Treatment may involve rest, physical therapy, or in some cases, surgery to repair or remove the torn meniscus.