In order to determine the patient's ability to concentrate and focus, which would be the PRIORITY nursing action?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Assessing the mental status of the patient is the PRIORITY nursing action to determine the patient's ability to concentrate and focus. This assessment includes evaluating the patient's level of alertness, orientation, memory, thought processes, and mood. By observing the patient's mental status, the nurse can gain valuable information about the patient's cognitive function, attention span, and ability to concentrate. This assessment will help guide further interventions and care planning for the patient. Asking for academic performance or conducting paper and pencil tests may be useful tools to assess concentration and focus, but they should come after a comprehensive evaluation of the patient's mental status. Referring the patient to a psychiatrist may be necessary based on the assessment findings, but it should not be the first step in determining the patient's ability to concentrate and focus.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A discectomy is a surgical procedure commonly performed to decompress the nerve root by removing a portion of the herniated disc that is pressing on the nerve. In cases of herniated discs causing radicular symptoms (such as pain radiating down the leg), a discectomy can help alleviate the compression on the nerve, reduce symptoms, and improve the patient's condition. This procedure involves removing the portion of the disc that is herniated or bulging out to relieve pressure on the nerve root, allowing for improved function and reduced pain. Spinal fusion, laminectomy, and foraminotomy are other surgical procedures that are not typically performed for the direct decompression of the nerve root in cases of herniated discs at a specific level like the L5-S1 level.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Generalized seizures involve both hemispheres of the brain and can present with various manifestations. The typical features of generalized seizures include loss of consciousness, dilated pupils, and muscular stiffening. These seizures may also involve other symptoms such as tonic-clonic movements, convulsions, and postictal confusion. Jerking movements of all extremities (option B) are more characteristic of tonic-clonic seizures, a subtype of generalized seizures. Facial grimace with patting and smacking (option C) may be seen in focal seizures originating from a certain area of the brain. A vacant stare with a brief loss of consciousness (option D) is more typical of absence seizures rather than generalized seizures.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: First-voided morning urine is the best urine sample to be used for an accurate result of a pregnancy test done at home because it is more concentrated compared to urine samples collected at other times of the day. Overnight, the hCG hormone (human chorionic gonadotropin) builds up in a woman's body, making the early morning urine more likely to contain higher levels of hCG if a woman is pregnant. The concentrated nature of first-morning urine reduces the chances of false-negative results since it provides a higher concentration of the hormone that the test is designed to detect. Therefore, using first-morning urine increases the sensitivity of the pregnancy test and improves the accuracy of the results.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: An occiput posterior fetal position, where the baby's head is facing the mother's abdomen rather than her back, can lead to prolonged and severe back pain during labor. This position can cause irregular contractions and difficulty in descending through the birth canal, resulting in abnormal labor progress. The back pain experienced in this case is often intense due to the pressure exerted on the mother's lower back and may also be associated with intense back labor. It is essential for the nurse to recognize this potential issue and assist in maneuvers or positions to help the baby rotate to a more optimal position for delivery.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Choosing option C, asking the patient about their cultural beliefs and preferences related to pain, demonstrates cultural competence in pain assessment. Pain experiences can vary greatly across different cultures, and a patient's cultural background can influence how they perceive and express pain. By inquiring about the patient's cultural beliefs and preferences, the nurse can gain a better understanding of the patient's perspective on pain. This information is crucial for providing individualized and culturally sensitive pain management interventions. It also shows respect for the patient's unique cultural background and helps build a trusting and collaborative relationship between the nurse and the patient.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The most common symptom of scabies that the family would report to Nurse Emma is itchiness. Scabies is a contagious skin condition caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which burrows into the skin and lays eggs, leading to intense itching, especially at night. The itching is a result of the body's allergic reaction to the mites and their waste products. While rashes, scaling, and swelling can also occur with scabies, the hallmark and most bothersome symptom experienced by individuals with scabies is the intense itchiness, making it the most common symptom reported by affected individuals or their families during the history-taking process.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When a pregnant woman is diagnosed with preeclampsia, the focus of health care shifts to the individual woman herself. Preeclampsia is a serious condition that affects the health of the pregnant woman and her unborn child. The healthcare team will prioritize the care and treatment of the woman to ensure her well-being and safety. In this scenario, the emphasis is on providing personalized and targeted care to address the needs of the individual patient, rather than a broader focus on population groups, communities, or families.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Chest pain, dyspnea, hypotension, and ST-segment elevation on an ECG in the inferior leads are classic signs of an acute myocardial infarction (MI). An acute MI occurs when there is a sudden blockage of blood flow to a part of the heart muscle, leading to tissue damage. This causes symptoms such as chest pain due to ischemia, dyspnea due to heart failure, and hypotension due to poor cardiac output. The ST-segment elevation seen on the ECG is indicative of significant myocardial injury. Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial in acute MI to prevent further complications and to minimize damage to the heart muscle. It is important to differentiate an acute MI from stable or unstable angina or other cardiovascular disorders, as the management and prognosis vary significantly.