During a patient assessment, the nurse observes signs of distress and discomfort. What action should the nurse take to address the patient's needs?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when observing signs of distress and discomfort in a patient during assessment is to offer emotional support and actively listen to the patient's concerns. Ignoring the patient's distress may lead to worsening of the patient's condition and can be detrimental to the patient's well-being. Documenting the findings and informing the healthcare provider later is important but should not be the immediate response when a patient is in distress. Administering pain medication without further assessment is also not appropriate as the nurse needs to understand the underlying cause of the distress before providing appropriate interventions. Offering emotional support and actively listening to the patient's concerns can help the nurse understand the patient's needs, provide comfort, and potentially address the root cause of the distress.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The presentation of a pruritic, erythematous rash with edematous plaques and vesicles on the hands and fingers in a patient with a history of exposure to detergents and frequent hand washing is most indicative of contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis can be caused by direct contact with irritants such as detergents or chemicals, leading to skin irritation and inflammation. In this case, the history of exposure to detergents and hand washing suggests that the rash is likely due to irritant contact dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and pityriasis rosea do not typically present with the same pattern of rash in response to irritant exposure.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Mast cells are primarily responsible for mediating allergic responses such as severe allergies. When an allergen triggers the immune response, mast cells release histamine, leukotrienes, and other inflammatory mediators. These substances cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling. Basophils also release histamine, but mast cells are more abundant in tissues and play a significant role in allergic reactions. Eosinophils are involved in allergic reactions but are more focused on combating parasitic infections. Neutrophils are not typically involved in allergic responses but play a key role in combating bacterial infections.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In quantitative research, randomness plays a crucial role in eliminating bias. Random sampling ensures that every individual or element in the population has an equal chance of being selected for the study. This helps in reducing the possibility of bias creeping into the results due to selective sampling or favoritism towards certain groups. By using random sampling methods, researchers can increase the generalizability of their findings and have a higher level of confidence that the results are unbiased and representative of the entire population. Therefore, randomness is a key mechanism to eliminate bias in quantitative research studies.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Beta-adrenergic agonists stimulate beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart, leading to an increase in heart rate (tachycardia). This is a common adverse effect associated with the use of beta-adrenergic agonists in the management of conditions such as asthma. Monitoring for tachycardia is important because it can potentially lead to other complications such as palpitations, arrhythmias, and exacerbation of underlying cardiovascular conditions. It is essential for the nurse to closely monitor the patient for any signs or symptoms of tachycardia and report any abnormalities to the healthcare provider promptly to ensure appropriate management and prevent further complications.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction for using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with a spacer for a patient with COPD is to inhale slowly and deeply while pressing the canister. This technique helps ensure that the medication reaches the lungs effectively. Inhaling slowly and deeply allows the medication to be properly delivered to the airways, maximizing its effectiveness in treating the symptoms of COPD. This instruction helps the patient coordinate pressing the canister with their inhalation, which is crucial for proper medication delivery in COPD management.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The most likely causative agent in this scenario is Plasmodium falciparum, which is the parasite that causes malaria. The symptoms of fever, chills, headache, and myalgia following a camping trip are highly suggestive of malaria, especially if the patient has thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Plasmodium falciparum is known to cause severe malaria with complications such as thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. The other options, Trypanosoma cruzi, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Leishmania donovani, do not typically present with all of the symptoms described and are not associated with the laboratory findings of thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The best response is to ask Ms. C why she is running and trotting around the room. This approach is empathetic and allows for open communication to understand her behavior. It is important to gather information before jumping to conclusions or making threats about changing her exercise program or eating habits. By showing concern and curiosity, you can address the situation in a supportive and constructive manner.

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.