A patient with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) presents with excessive daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and witnessed apneic episodes during sleep. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for managing OSA and improving symptoms?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: CPAP therapy is considered the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is the most appropriate intervention for managing OSA and improving symptoms. CPAP therapy involves using a machine that delivers a continuous flow of air through a mask worn over the nose or mouth during sleep. This air pressure helps keep the airway open, preventing the collapse that causes apneas and snoring during sleep.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The epigastrium is the upper middle region of the abdomen, lying above the umbilical region and between the hypochondriac regions. It contains several organs including the duodenum, pancreas, portion of the liver, and the pyloric end of the stomach. The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine, the pancreas is a crucial organ for digestion and hormone regulation, the liver aids in digestion and detoxification, and the pyloric end of the stomach connects the stomach to the small intestine for further digestion and absorption of nutrients. These organs are typically assessed and examined when focusing on the epigastrium during a physical examination.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Precipitous labor is completed in less than 3 hours from the onset of labor to delivery. It is characterized by rapid labor progression, with contractions quickly increasing in intensity and frequency. This can pose risks for both the mother and baby, such as increased risk of maternal lacerations, fetal distress, and postpartum hemorrhage. It is important for healthcare providers to be prepared for rapid delivery in cases of precipitous labor.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The primary responsibility for obtaining informed consent lies with the surgeon who will be performing the procedure. Informed consent is a process where the healthcare provider explains the procedure, benefits, risks, and alternatives to the patient, allowing them to make an informed decision about their care. While other healthcare team members may also participate in this process, the ultimate responsibility typically rests with the surgeon as they are the one performing the surgery.

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: 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.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A living will is a legal document that allows an individual to express their wishes regarding medical treatment in the event they become unable to make decisions. It specifically outlines the medical treatments a person chooses to refuse or accept under certain circumstances. It is important to differentiate a living will from a durable power of attorney, which designates someone to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the individual when they are unable to do so, and advance directives, which encompass both a living will and a durable power of attorney for healthcare. The living will serves as a guide for healthcare professionals and family members to honor the individual's preferences for medical care.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should inform the public that rabies can be prevented. This is an extremely important piece of information to help raise awareness about the disease and promote preventive measures such as timely vaccination of both animals and humans. Rabies is a deadly viral infection that affects the central nervous system, and prevention through vaccination is highly effective in controlling its spread. By emphasizing the preventability of rabies, the nurse can educate the public on the importance of taking proactive steps to avoid contracting the disease.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Intracerebral hemorrhage occurs when there is bleeding directly into the brain tissue, often due to conditions such as hypertension or vascular malformations. The sudden-onset severe headache, altered mental status, and focal neurological deficits described in the patient are typical symptoms of an intracerebral hemorrhage. The location of the hemorrhagic lesion within the right basal ganglia corresponds to the clinical presentation. Ischemic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and transient ischemic attack (TIA) typically have different presentations and imaging findings compared to an intracerebral hemorrhage. Therefore, in this scenario, intracerebral hemorrhage is the most likely cause of the patient's symptoms.