Before auscultating the abdomen for bowel sounds, the nurse should:

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because checking the room temperature and ensuring patient comfort is crucial before auscultating the abdomen to prevent any environmental factors from affecting the patient's comfort or bowel sounds. A, warming the stethoscope, is unnecessary and could potentially be uncomfortable for the patient. B, leaving the gown on, may interfere with the ability to properly listen to bowel sounds. C, ensuring the bell side of the stethoscope is on, is important but not the primary consideration before auscultating the abdomen.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct technique is to count the radial pulse for 1 minute if the rhythm is irregular because irregular rhythms may have fluctuations that can affect accuracy. Counting for a full minute provides a more comprehensive assessment of the pulse rate. Choice B is incorrect because multiplying the count by 4 after 15 seconds may not accurately reflect the pulse rate if the rhythm is irregular. Choice C is incorrect because counting for 2 full minutes is unnecessary and can be time-consuming without providing additional benefits in most cases. Choice D is incorrect as multiplying by 6 after 10 seconds is not suitable for irregular rhythms or for patients with cardiac abnormalities.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Rationale: Acromegaly is a condition caused by excessive growth hormone production, leading to overgrowth of bones in the face, head, hands, and feet. This results in characteristic features such as enlarged facial bones, hands, and feet. The correct answer is C because it aligns with the typical assessment findings in acromegaly. Summary of other choices: A (Heavy, flattened facial features): This is not consistent with acromegaly, as the condition is characterized by overgrowth of bone rather than flattened features. B (Growth retardation and a delayed onset of puberty): These findings are more indicative of growth hormone deficiency rather than excess, which is seen in acromegaly. D (Increased height and weight and delayed sexual development): While increased height and weight may occur, delayed sexual development is not a common feature of acromegaly.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The woman's history of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease puts her at increased risk for infection and lesions when trying to remove the corn with scissors. Diabetes can impair wound healing and increase the risk of infection. Peripheral vascular disease can lead to poor circulation, further complicating wound healing. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the specific risks associated with the woman's chronic conditions. Choice B is incorrect as diabetes often causes poor circulation, not increased circulation. Choice C is incorrect as age and visual impairment are not the primary reasons for discouraging the use of scissors. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on range of motion rather than the specific risks related to diabetes and peripheral vascular disease.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tinea capitis. Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the scalp that often presents with hair loss, scaling, and broken hair in patches. In this case, the patient's symptoms of hair loss, patchy scaling, and broken hair are consistent with tinea capitis. The nurse should suspect this diagnosis based on the clinical presentation. Other choices are incorrect because: B: Folliculitis typically presents with inflamed hair follicles, pustules, and redness. It is not characterized by patchy hair loss and scaling. C: Toxic alopecia is hair loss due to exposure to toxins or chemicals, which is not suggested by the symptoms described. D: Seborrheic dermatitis presents with greasy, yellowish scaling on the scalp, but typically does not cause patchy hair loss as described in the case.