A patient undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU develops ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What intervention should the healthcare team prioritize to manage the patient's infection?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most important intervention for managing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a patient undergoing mechanical ventilation in the ICU is to start appropriate antimicrobial therapy targeting MRSA. Vancomycin or linezolid are commonly used antibiotics for MRSA infections. These medications are effective against MRSA and can help in treating the infection and preventing further complications. It is crucial to initiate antimicrobial therapy promptly once the diagnosis of VAP caused by MRSA is suspected or confirmed to improve patient outcomes. Other interventions such as bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnostic purposes, contact precautions, or antifungal therapy may be relevant but the priority is to start effective antibiotic therapy to target the specific pathogen causing the infection.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Nurse Crissel likely informed the participants that HIV is not casually transmitted through activities like kissing. HIV transmission primarily occurs through activities that involve the exchange of bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Accidental blood exposure, unprotected sex, and mother to child transmission are known routes of HIV transmission due to the direct exchange of bodily fluids containing the virus. However, the virus is not spread through saliva, including activities like kissing, which do not involve the exchange of significant amounts of bodily fluids.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Estrogen exerts negative feedback on the hypothalamus by inhibiting the release of GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone). GnRH plays a crucial role in the regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) production from the pituitary gland. By inhibiting the release of GnRH, estrogen ultimately leads to a decrease in FSH and LH levels. This process helps to suppress the maturation of the egg and ovulation, providing contraceptive effects.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Magnesium sulfate is used to prevent eclampsia, but it can lead to toxicity if levels become too high. One common sign of magnesium toxicity is increased deep tendon reflexes, also known as hyperreflexia. This occurs because magnesium is a muscle relaxant, and elevated levels can lead to over-relaxation of muscles, causing an exaggerated reflex response. Other signs of magnesium toxicity include respiratory depression, decreased urine output, and cardiac arrest. Therefore, in a woman receiving intravenous magnesium sulfate during labor, an increase in deep tendon reflexes would indicate potential toxicity and require immediate intervention.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Patients like Emmy who have experienced delayed hypersensitivity to latex typically present with symptoms such as rhinitis (runny or stuffy nose) and conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eyes). In addition, delayed hypersensitivity reactions often involve skin manifestations, such as blisters. These symptoms are reflective of the inflammatory response triggered by exposure to latex in individuals with delayed hypersensitivity. Symptoms like flushing, bronchospasm, urticaria, laryngeal edema, papules, vesicles, and pruritus are more commonly associated with immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions rather than delayed hypersensitivity reactions in latex-sensitive individuals.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The independent variable in an experiment is the variable that is manipulated or determined by the researcher. In this hypothesis, the nurse is suggesting that the age of the patient (elderly vs. younger) influences the aggressiveness of treatment received. Therefore, the age of the patient is the independent variable in this scenario. The dependent variable would be the degree of treatment received, as it is expected to be influenced by the independent variable, which is the age of the patient.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Spiral CT angiography is the most appropriate test for confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient with suspected PE. It is a non-invasive imaging modality that can detect filling defects within the pulmonary vasculature indicative of a clot. This diagnostic test has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing PE, making it a valuable tool in the management of patients with suspected PE.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A family history of breast cancer is a known risk factor for the development of ovarian cancer. Individuals with a close relative (such as a mother, sister, or daughter) who has had breast cancer have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. This increased risk is due to shared genetic factors that can predispose individuals to both breast and ovarian cancers. Therefore, having a family history of breast cancer is an important risk factor to consider in the assessment of ovarian cancer risk.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Inductive reasoning is the process of drawing general conclusions from specific observations or examples. It is often used in qualitative research to develop theories or explanations based on the data collected. Qualitative research focuses on understanding phenomena in their natural settings and uses inductive reasoning to interpret and make sense of the data. This approach allows researchers to explore complex issues and uncover new insights by analyzing the details and patterns within the data.