A patient with advanced dementia is no longer able to communicate verbally and displays signs of distress. What should the palliative nurse consider when assessing and managing the patient's distress?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When assessing and managing distress in a patient with advanced dementia who is no longer able to communicate verbally, the palliative nurse should consider exploring non-verbal cues and behaviors to identify the underlying causes of distress. Since the patient cannot communicate through words, it is essential to pay close attention to their non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and changes in behavior. Distress in dementia patients can be caused by a variety of factors including physical discomfort, unmet needs, environmental stressors, emotional distress, or even medication side effects. By carefully observing and interpreting non-verbal cues, the nurse can gain insight into what might be causing the patient's distress and tailor interventions accordingly. Simply focusing on physical comfort measures may not address the root cause of the distress, and administering sedative medications without understanding the underlying cause is not considered best practice in palliative care for dementia patients.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Papillary thyroid carcinoma is a type of thyroid cancer that arises from follicular cells of the thyroid gland. It often presents as a thyroid nodule that can cause symptoms of compression due to its enlarging size. The compression symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing and breathing in this case, occur when the thyroid nodule becomes large enough to press on adjacent structures in the neck. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy can confirm the presence of malignant cells with nuclear features typical of papillary thyroid carcinoma, further supporting the diagnosis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The patient has the right to demand that information, records, and communications pertaining to their care be kept confidential under the Right to Privacy and Confidentiality as outlined in the Patient's Bill of Rights. However, financial status is generally not considered part of the confidential medical information and may not fall under the same level of protection as personal health information. Therefore, the patient cannot demand that their financial status be treated as confidential under this particular right.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The Philippine Regulatory Commission - Board of Nursing (PRC-BON) has the power to regulate nursing practice in the Philippines.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart. Patients with pericarditis typically present with sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, changes in body position, and coughing. The pain tends to improve when the patient leans forward. This characteristic symptom of pericarditis is known as "pleuritic" chest pain. In contrast, stable angina presents as predictable chest pain that occurs with exertion and is relieved by rest or medications. Unstable angina is characterized by chest pain that occurs at rest or with minimal exertion and is considered a medical emergency. Myocarditis involves inflammation of the heart muscle and may present with symptoms such as chest pain, but it does not typically have the characteristic of worsening with deep breathing or changes in body position.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rabies has a shorter incubation period if the bite is located on the hand. This is because bites on the hand are more likely to have direct access to nerve pathways, which can lead to a faster spread of the rabies virus to the central nervous system. In general, bites on parts of the body closer to the brain and spinal cord, such as the hand and face, can result in a quicker onset of rabies symptoms compared to bites on farther extremities like the leg or abdomen.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The occurrence of rabies at irregular intervals scattered in particular places indicates a sporadic pattern. Sporadic diseases are those that occur infrequently and irregularly in a population. These diseases do not have a consistent pattern of occurrence and are not confined to a specific geographic area or population group. In this case, the cases of rabies being reported at irregular intervals and scattered in particular places suggest a sporadic distribution rather than an endemic (constantly present in a population), epidemic (sudden increase in cases in a specific population), or pandemic (global spread of a disease) pattern.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Digoxin is a medication commonly used in the treatment of congestive heart failure because it helps to improve cardiac output and reduce heart failure symptoms. One of the desired effects of digoxin is an increase in urinary output. This is because digoxin helps to improve cardiac function, which can lead to better circulation and increased kidney perfusion. As a result, the kidneys are better able to filter and excrete excess fluid, leading to increased urine output. Therefore, an increase in urinary output indicates that the digoxin is having a positive effect in managing the client's congestive heart failure. The other options, such as increased weight, improved appetite, and increased pedal edema, are not indicative of a desired effect of digoxin therapy.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The ethical principle of autonomy emphasizes respecting the patient's right to make their own decisions regarding their treatment. In this scenario, the patient has the right to refuse treatment, and the nurse should respect that decision while also providing information and guidance to help the patient make informed choices. By upholding the principle of autonomy, the nurse can support the patient's decision-making process and work collaboratively with them to address any concerns or barriers to compliance with the treatment regimen. This approach honors the patient's right to self-determination and promotes a trusting relationship between the nurse and the patient.