Joan is diagnosed with a gastric ulcer. What symptoms would she exhibit?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Epigastric pain worse before meals, pain on awakening, and melena. Explanation: - Gastric ulcers typically present with epigastric pain that worsens before meals due to increased gastric acid secretion. Pain on awakening is also common as the stomach is empty during the night. Melena, which is dark, tarry stool, may be present due to bleeding from the ulcer. Why the other options are wrong: - Option B describes symptoms of acute abdomen, which is not typically seen in gastric ulcers. - Option C describes symptoms of acute pancreatitis, not typically associated with gastric ulcers. - Option D describes symptoms more indicative of peptic ulcer disease rather than gastric ulcers. Educational context: Understanding the specific symptoms of gastric ulcers is crucial for nurses to provide appropriate care and education to patients like Joan. Recognizing the difference between various gastrointestinal conditions helps in accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning. Nurses play a vital role in educating patients on lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and follow-up care to manage gastric ulcers effectively.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C) A chest x-ray is used to detect the size and position of the heart. In medical-surgical nursing practice, understanding the purpose of diagnostic tests like a chest x-ray is crucial. A chest x-ray provides valuable information about the heart's size, shape, and position within the chest cavity. It can help identify conditions such as cardiomegaly (enlarged heart), pericardial effusion (fluid around the heart), or other cardiac abnormalities. Option A is incorrect because while a chest x-ray can visualize rib fractures, its primary purpose in this context is not to rule out fractured ribs causing pain. Option B is incorrect as canceling a chest x-ray order without a valid reason can compromise patient care and diagnosis. Option D is incorrect as not all patients admitted necessarily require a chest x-ray unless clinically indicated. Educationally, this question highlights the importance of nurses understanding the rationale behind diagnostic tests and being able to educate patients like Anne on why certain tests are ordered and how they contribute to their overall care and treatment plan.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In the case of suspected hormone imbalance, monitoring various factors is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management. The correct answer is D) All of the above. This is because hormone imbalances can affect electrolyte levels, thyroid function, as well as FSH and LH levels. Monitoring electrolyte levels is important as some hormonal conditions can lead to electrolyte imbalances. Thyroid studies are necessary as thyroid hormones play a significant role in regulating metabolism. FSH and LH are reproductive hormones that can indicate issues with the reproductive system. Option A) Electrolyte levels is not comprehensive enough as it overlooks the need to monitor specific hormone levels that could be affected by an imbalance. Option C) Caloric intake is not directly related to monitoring hormone levels and would not provide relevant information in this context. In an educational context, understanding the importance of comprehensive monitoring in suspected hormone imbalances is critical for nurses to provide holistic care. By monitoring various parameters, healthcare providers can gain a better understanding of the underlying hormonal issues and tailor treatment accordingly, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in patient care.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is B) Temporal wasting and irregular heart rhythm. Explanation of why B is correct: 1. Temporal wasting: A sign of malnutrition, which can occur when an individual's weight is well below the recommended minimum for their height due to excessive dieting. 2. Irregular heart rhythm: Severe weight loss can lead to electrolyte imbalances and cardiac issues, resulting in an irregular heart rhythm. Explanation of why others are wrong: A) Ecchymosis and extraocular movements: These symptoms are not typically associated with severe weight loss and are more indicative of other conditions like trauma or neurological issues. C) Peripheral edema and rales: Peripheral edema and rales are commonly seen in conditions like heart failure or renal disease, not specifically related to severe weight loss. D) Periorbital edema and chorea: Periorbital edema can be a sign of kidney or thyroid issues, while chorea is a movement disorder unrelated to severe weight loss. Educational context: This question highlights the importance of recognizing the physical manifestations of severe weight loss and malnutrition in patients. Nurses need to be vigilant in assessing these signs as they can indicate serious health risks associated with extreme dietary practices. Understanding these clinical manifestations helps nurses provide holistic care and interventions to address the underlying issues contributing to the patient's condition.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A) Macrophage. In the context of the immune system, macrophages are specialized cells that play a crucial role in the body's defense against invading pathogens or foreign cells. Macrophages are part of the innate immune system and are known for their phagocytic activity, which means they can engulf and digest foreign particles, such as bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances. Option B) T cell and Option C) B cell are both types of lymphocytes involved in the adaptive immune response. T cells are mainly responsible for cell-mediated immunity, while B cells produce antibodies as part of the humoral immune response. While both T and B cells play essential roles in the immune system, they do not directly ingest invading cells like macrophages do. Option D) Erythrocyte, or red blood cell, is not involved in phagocytosis or the immune response. Erythrocytes are primarily responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to the tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Understanding the different roles of immune cells is crucial in medical-surgical nursing practice as it helps nurses identify the specific functions of each cell type in the immune response. Knowing that macrophages are the primary phagocytic cells helps nurses understand how the body defends itself against infections and how to support this process in patient care.