An oncology patient has begun to experience skin reactions to radiation therapy, prompting the nurse to make the diagnosis Impaired Skin Integrity: erythematous reaction to radiation therapy. What intervention best addresses this nursing diagnosis?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Correct Answer: D - Avoid rubbing or scratching the affected area Rationale: 1. Rubbing or scratching can further damage the already compromised skin integrity. 2. By avoiding rubbing or scratching, the patient reduces the risk of infection and delayed healing. 3. This intervention promotes skin healing and prevents worsening of the condition. Summary: A: Applying ice pack or heating pad may provide temporary relief but does not address the root cause of impaired skin integrity. B: Avoiding skin contact with water is not necessary and may not directly improve skin integrity. C: Phototherapy is not indicated for erythematous reactions to radiation therapy and may not address the issue.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the nurse should prioritize the patient who has been receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) infusing with the same tubing for 26 hours. This patient needs to be seen first to monitor for any potential complications or issues related to TPN administration. Choice A can be ruled out because 50 hours is longer than 26 hours. Choices C and D involve enteral feeding, which is important but generally less critical than TPN. Additionally, choice D has a shorter duration than choice B. Therefore, choice B is the most time-sensitive and critical patient to assess first.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ensuring that the patient receives adequate palliative care. Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses, including managing symptoms and providing emotional support. In this case, since the patient is not receiving treatment for her brain metastases, palliative care would be most appropriate to help alleviate any pain or discomfort she may be experiencing and provide holistic support for her and her family. A: Promoting the patient's functional status and ADLs may not be the priority if the patient's prognosis is terminal and she is not receiving treatment for her brain metastases. C: Ensuring that the family does not tell the patient her condition is terminal goes against ethical principles of honesty and transparency in healthcare. D: Promoting adherence to the prescribed medication regimen may not be relevant if the patient is not receiving active treatment for her brain metastases.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, which is to arrange a referral to a community-based support program. This option is the most appropriate because it offers the patient ongoing support from individuals who understand what she is going through. Community-based support programs can provide a safe space for the patient to share her feelings, connect with others in similar situations, and access additional resources for coping. This intervention focuses on providing the patient with adequate support beyond the immediate recovery period, which is crucial for long-term coping and adjustment. Option A is incorrect as it may not consider the patient's individual needs for support beyond her spouse or partner. Option B may be premature as the patient might need time to process her diagnosis and surgery before moving on to the next phase of treatment. Option C may put undue pressure on the patient to maintain a specific emotional state for the sake of others, which may not be beneficial for her own coping and healing process.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the severity of an anaphylactic reaction can vary greatly from one episode to another in the same patient. Anaphylactic reactions are unpredictable and can be influenced by various factors such as the amount of allergen exposure, individual immune response, underlying health conditions, and concurrent medications. Therefore, it is not possible to reliably gauge the severity of a patient's anaphylactic reaction even if it has occurred repeatedly in the past. Choice A is incorrect because the onset of symptoms alone is not a reliable predictor of the severity of the reaction. Choice B is incorrect as well because there is no set formula to predict that the reaction will be one-third more severe than the patient's last reaction. Choice D is incorrect because stating that the reaction will generally be slightly less severe than the last reaction is also not accurate or supported by evidence.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, balancing calories. This is because the ChooseMyPlate program emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between the calories consumed and calories expended for overall health and weight management. By balancing calories, individuals can ensure they are meeting their nutritional needs without overeating or consuming excess calories. A: Balancing sodium and potassium is important for managing blood pressure, but this is not a specific guideline of the ChooseMyPlate program. B: Decreasing water consumption is not a guideline of the ChooseMyPlate program. Adequate hydration is essential for overall health. C: Increasing portion size is not recommended in the ChooseMyPlate program. It emphasizes portion control and eating appropriate serving sizes of different food groups.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Teach the patient how to self-cath the pouch. In a continent urinary reservoir, patients need to catheterize the pouch several times a day. This is essential for emptying the urine from the pouch as the ileocecal valve creates a one-way valve. Teaching the patient how to self-catheterize ensures proper and timely drainage, preventing complications like urinary retention. Self-catheterization also empowers the patient to take an active role in managing their continence. Summary of other choices: B: Kegel exercises are ineffective for a patient with a continent urinary reservoir as they do not address the need for catheterization. C: Changing the collection pouch is not the primary action needed for a continent urinary reservoir. Catheterization is essential for drainage. D: The Valsalva technique is not appropriate for voiding in a continent urinary reservoir. Catheterization is the recommended method for emptying the pouch.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Assessing for mouth droop and decreased lateral eye gaze. After a radical mastoidectomy, the nurse should prioritize assessing for signs of facial nerve damage, such as mouth droop and decreased lateral eye gaze, which can indicate injury to the facial nerve during surgery. This is crucial as immediate intervention may be needed to prevent long-term complications. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect: B: Assessing for increased middle ear pressure and perforated ear drum is not the priority postoperative care for a radical mastoidectomy patient. C: Assessing for gradual onset of conductive hearing loss and nystagmus is not the priority as these are not immediate concerns postoperatively. D: Assessing for scar tissue and cerumen obstructing the auditory canal is not the priority as these are not immediate postoperative complications that require urgent attention.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Acute pain related to tissue manipulation and incision. This is the most likely major nursing diagnosis because post-surgical pain is a common and expected occurrence after breast surgery. The patient is likely to experience pain due to tissue manipulation and incision during the surgery. Addressing acute pain is crucial for the patient's comfort, well-being, and overall recovery. Choice B (Ineffective coping related to surgery) may be a secondary nursing diagnosis, but acute pain takes priority as it directly impacts the patient's immediate comfort and recovery. Choice C (Risk for trauma related to post-surgical injury) is not the most appropriate nursing diagnosis since the patient has already undergone surgery and is not at risk for further injury at this point. Choice D (Chronic sorrow related to change in body image) is not the most immediate concern post-surgery; addressing acute pain is more critical.