During the postpartum assessment, a new mother reports experiencing mild cramping and uterine contractions while breastfeeding. What physiological process is responsible for these symptoms?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Oxytocin release is responsible for the mild cramping and uterine contractions experienced by the new mother while breastfeeding. When a baby suckles at the breast, it stimulates nerve endings that signal the release of oxytocin from the posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in stimulating the contraction of the uterine muscles, helping the uterus to contract back to its pre-pregnancy size. This process, known as uterine involution, is essential for postpartum recovery and preventing excessive bleeding. Therefore, the new mother's experience of mild cramping and uterine contractions while breastfeeding is a normal physiological response mediated by the release of oxytocin.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Regular health check-ups play a crucial role in the prevention, early detection, and management of health issues, especially for the elderly. By ensuring that the elderly receive regular health check-ups, healthcare providers can monitor their health status, detect any potential health problems early on, and provide appropriate medical interventions. This proactive approach can help protect the elderly from developing serious health issues or complications. Additionally, regular health check-ups can also promote overall health and well-being, allowing healthcare professionals to address any existing health concerns and provide necessary treatments or recommendations to maintain the elderly's health and quality of life.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The symptoms described are classic for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy. Patients typically present with weakness, muscle atrophy, fasciculations (muscle twitching), and eventually develop difficulty swallowing and breathing due to involvement of the muscles responsible for these functions. Parkinson's disease (Choice A) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia but does not typically present with muscle atrophy or fasciculations as described in the case. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) (Choice B) is an acute inflammatory condition affecting peripheral nerves, leading to ascending paralysis, which is usually reversible. Myasthenia gravis (Choice D) is an autoimmune disorder that affects neu

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient presents with gradual, painless visual field loss in both eyes, particularly in the peripheral vision, which is characteristic of glaucoma. The elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) on tonometry further supports a diagnosis of glaucoma. Open-angle glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma and typically presents insidiously with a slow progression of vision loss. In open-angle glaucoma, the drainage angle of the eye remains open but becomes less efficient over time, leading to increased intraocular pressure and optic nerve damage. This results in peripheral visual field loss. Closed-angle glaucoma, on the other hand, presents more acutely with sudden eye pain, redness, and blurred vision due to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure from a blocked drainage angle. Age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy typically do not present with elevated IOP or peripheral visual field loss.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Medical records are typically required to be retained for a certain period of time as mandated by legal and regulatory requirements. The retention period for medical records is generally between 5 to 10 years, depending on the jurisdiction and specific regulations governing healthcare facilities. Keeping medical records for this duration ensures that they are available for reference, audits, legal purposes, and continuity of care for patients. Storing medical records for an adequate length of time also helps in ensuring continuity of care and tracking patients' medical history over time, which is crucial for quality healthcare delivery. Therefore, storing charts in the Medical Records or storage room for at least 5-10 years aligns with standard practices in healthcare compliance and patient care.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Record-keeping is not an optional task; it is a critical aspect of professional nursing practice. As a nurse, maintaining accurate and timely records is essential for providing quality care, ensuring legal and ethical standards are met, and promoting patient safety. Failure to keep thorough records can lead to serious consequences such as compromising patient care, violating regulations, and even facing legal consequences. Thus, record-keeping should be seen as a mandatory part of the professional duty of nurses rather than an optional task that can be done when circumstances allow.

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: C

Rationale: The hypothalamus is the link between the nervous system and the endocrine system. It plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis in the body by communicating with the pituitary gland, which is often referred to as the "master gland" of the endocrine system. The hypothalamus produces hormones that regulate the release of hormones from the pituitary gland, which then controls the functions of other endocrine glands throughout the body. This connection allows the nervous system to influence and coordinate various hormonal responses in the body, helping to regulate processes such as metabolism, growth, stress responses, and reproduction.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Identifying the patient's stage of change is crucial when someone expresses a desire to be "detoxified" from a substance like marijuana. The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change) outlines different stages individuals go through when making behavior changes. By identifying which stage the patient is in (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, or relapse), the nurse can tailor interventions and support accordingly. This approach helps ensure that interventions are effective and appropriate for the individual's readiness for change. It is important to meet the patient where they are in their journey towards detoxification and offer support and guidance accordingly.