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: B

Rationale: The nurse's best response to a patient expressing fear of the unknown regarding an upcoming surgical procedure is to provide the patient with accurate information about the surgical procedure and what to expect. This approach empowers the patient with knowledge and helps alleviate anxiety by demystifying the unknown. By educating the patient about the procedure, potential risks, and postoperative care, the nurse can help the patient feel more prepared and in control of the situation. It is crucial for healthcare providers to address patient fears with compassion, understanding, and information to support the patient through the surgical process.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A tension pneumothorax is a life-threatening condition where air accumulates in the pleural space and cannot escape, causing increased pressure in the chest cavity. This can lead to compression of the lung and major blood vessels, leading to inadequate oxygenation and circulation.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When a woman in active labor is experiencing intense pain and requests non-pharmacological pain relief measures, the nurse should prioritize providing continuous labor support. Continuous labor support, also known as a doula or labor companion, has been shown to be effective in reducing the perception of pain and improving labor outcomes. The presence of a supportive person can provide physical, emotional, and informational support, helping the woman cope with the pain and navigate through the labor process. This intervention can enhance the woman's overall experience of labor and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes without the need for pharmacological interventions. Administering opioids, performing epidural analgesia, or initiating nitrous oxide inhalation are pharmacological pain relief measures and may not align with the woman's preference for non-pharmacological options.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should prioritize ensuring proper zeroing and calibration of the ICP monitoring system to ensure procedural accuracy and reliability of the measurements obtained. Proper zeroing involves setting the transducer at the level of the patient's external auditory meatus (ear), which serves as a reference point for accurate ICP readings. Calibration is necessary to establish accurate pressure measurements. Incorrect zeroing or calibration can lead to inaccurate ICP readings, which can impact clinical decision-making for patients with traumatic brain injury. Positioning the patient in a high-Fowler's position, administering prophylactic antibiotics, or placing the ICP monitor in the subarachnoid space via lumbar puncture are not directly related to ensuring the accuracy of the ICP monitoring procedure.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: A delimitation in a research study refers to setting specific boundaries or restrictions on the scope of the study. In this scenario, Gloria's decision to include only nurses with a minimum of three years experience as psychiatric nurses is a delimitation because it sets a specific criterion or boundary for the selection of participants. This helps to focus the study on a particular group of individuals who possess the required experience, ensuring the research is targeted and relevant to the topic being investigated.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Triangulation is the technique that refers to the use of multiple referents to draw conclusions about what constitutes the truth. In the context provided in the question, Nurse Tarly is organizing a study to investigate the "Caring behavior of Staff-Nurses and Satisfaction of Women with Ostomy". By gathering data from various sources such as observation, interviews, and surveys, Nurse Tarly can triangulate the information to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation. Triangulation helps to validate findings, enhance the credibility of the study, and provide a more well-rounded view of the issue at hand.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient is exhibiting signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as tremors, diaphoresis, hyperactivity, elevated blood pressure, and tachycardia. Lorazepam, which is a benzodiazepine, is commonly used to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It helps alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, tremors, and seizures by acting on the same brain receptors affected by alcohol. It has sedative, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant properties which can help stabilize the patient and prevent potential complications of alcohol withdrawal, such as seizures. Haloperidol is an antipsychotic medication used for conditions like schizophrenia and acute psychosis; therefore, it would not be appropriate for alcohol withdrawal. Naloxone is used to reverse opioid overdose, and Benztropin is used to treat Parkinson's disease and extrapyramidal symptoms, so they are not indicated for alcohol

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The appropriate way to correct an error in the Nurses Notes is to draw a single line across the error and initial it. This method is recommended because it indicates that there was an error made, while still preserving the original information for audit and legal purposes. It shows transparency and accountability in documentation, as the original information remains visible. Taking the whole page out and replacing it with a fresh one can lead to discrepancies and potential legal issues if there are inconsistencies in the documentation. Using methods like using the sticky side of the plastic tape or a rubber eraser can make the documentation look unprofessional and raises questions about the accuracy and integrity of the notes.