A patient with a peptic ulcer who has an NG tube develops sudden severe upper abdominal pain, diaphoresis, and a very firm abdomen. Which action should the nurse take next?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Obtain the vital signs. Sudden severe upper abdominal pain, diaphoresis, and a very firm abdomen in a patient with a peptic ulcer and NG tube can indicate a perforation or complication requiring immediate assessment. Vital signs can provide crucial information on the patient's condition and guide further interventions. Irrigating the NG tube (A) can worsen the situation if there is a perforation. Giving antacid (C) may not address the underlying issue and delay necessary interventions. Listening for bowel sounds (D) is important but obtaining vital signs takes precedence in this critical situation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Epidermis. Arterioles are small blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to tissues. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and does not contain blood vessels. Therefore, arterioles do not pierce through the epidermis. The dermis (choice A) and subcutaneous layer (choice B) both contain blood vessels, so arterioles do pierce through them. Muscles (choice D) are not part of the skin layers, so arterioles do not pierce through muscles either. In summary, the epidermis is the only skin layer that is not pierced by arterioles because it lacks blood vessels.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Stratum germinativum. Active mitosis takes place in the stratum germinativum, also known as the basal layer of the epidermis. This layer contains actively dividing cells responsible for skin regeneration. The other choices, B: Stratum granulosum, C: Stratum lucidum, and D: Stratum corneum, are layers of the epidermis where cells are not actively dividing but rather undergoing differentiation and maturation. Therefore, they do not host active mitosis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the skin of a rabbit is typically dry, thin, soft, and hairy. Rabbits have delicate skin with a thin layer of fur, making it soft to the touch. The hair on the skin provides insulation and protection. Choice B is incorrect because rabbit skin is not typically hairless. Choices C and D are incorrect as rabbit skin is not thick or hard; it is known for its thin and delicate nature.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sebaceous gland. This gland produces sebum, an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair. It opens into the hair follicle to distribute sebum along the hair shaft. Sweat glands (choice A) release sweat onto the skin surface, not into hair follicles. Perineal glands (choice C) are located in the genital area and do not open into hair follicles. Zeis glands (choice D) are associated with eyelash follicles, not hair follicles in general. Therefore, the sebaceous gland is the only gland among the choices that opens into hair follicles.