Nurse Selma conducts her INITIAL assessment on Catherine. patient keeps on crying and constantly pulls her right ear. What is her MOST APPROPRIATE action?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: When a patient is crying and continuously pulling at a specific body part, such as Catherine pulling her right ear, it indicates discomfort or pain in that area. Nurse Selma's most appropriate action would be to further assess the description and frequency of the pain. This will help her identify the possible cause of the pain, whether it is due to an ear infection, injury, or any other underlying issue. Understanding the nature and intensity of the pain will guide Nurse Selma in providing appropriate care and intervention for Catherine. It is crucial to address the patient's pain promptly to ensure their comfort and well-being. Referring to the attending physician may be necessary after this initial assessment but assessing the pain should be the immediate priority.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention to promote optimal wound healing in a client who had an episiotomy is providing perineal care using peri-bottles with warm water. Warm water helps to cleanse the area, reduce the risk of infection, and promote circulation, which aids in wound healing. Peri-bottles are especially gentle and effective in cleaning the perineal area without causing trauma to the incision site. Encouraging frequent perineal hygiene with soap and water may be too harsh on the incision site and could lead to irritation. Applying antibiotic ointment after each void is not necessary unless prescribed by the healthcare provider, as overuse of antibiotics can lead to resistance. Instructing the client on proper peri-pad application is important for comfort and cleanliness but is not as crucial as gentle perineal care using peri-bottles with warm water for promoting optimal wound healing.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should inform the public that rabies can be prevented. This is an extremely important piece of information to help raise awareness about the disease and promote preventive measures such as timely vaccination of both animals and humans. Rabies is a deadly viral infection that affects the central nervous system, and prevention through vaccination is highly effective in controlling its spread. By emphasizing the preventability of rabies, the nurse can educate the public on the importance of taking proactive steps to avoid contracting the disease.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Antipsychotic medications can cause metabolic side effects, including hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Patients with bipolar disorder who are prescribed antipsychotic medications are at risk for developing new-onset diabetes or exacerbating preexisting diabetes. Monitoring blood glucose levels is essential to detect hyperglycemia early and prevent complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis. While hypertension, hypotension, and hypernatremia are possible side effects of certain medications, they are not typically associated with antipsychotic medications commonly used in the management of bipolar disorder. Hyperglycemia is a serious concern in this population due to the risk of developing diabetes or worsening of existing diabetes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When a patient is receiving too much insulin, the most likely result is hypoglycemia, not hyperglycemia. The excess insulin causes the blood glucose level to drop too low, leading to symptoms such as sweating, tremors, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures. The body responds to hypoglycemia by releasing counterregulatory hormones such as glucagon, epinephrine, and cortisol, which work to increase the blood glucose level. This rebound effect, known as the Somogyi effect, can result in the patient experiencing high blood glucose levels after a period of insufficient glucose supply due to excessive insulin administration.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The esophagus is responsible for propelling food from the oral cavity to the stomach through a series of coordinated muscular contractions. These contractions are known as peristalsis. The esophagus is a muscular tube connecting the throat (pharynx) to the stomach and plays a crucial role in moving food bolus from the mouth to the stomach for digestion. The tongue helps in the chewing and swallowing of food, the pharynx is involved in the passage of food and air, and the epiglottis helps prevent food from entering the airways during swallowing. However, it is the esophagus that actively moves the food to the stomach.

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: When communicating with a patient experiencing delirium, the nurse's priority is to provide clear and simple explanations to minimize confusion. Delirium can cause disorientation, confusion, and impaired cognitive function, making it difficult for the patient to understand complex information. Using simple language and clear explanations can help the patient better comprehend the situation and reduce anxiety. It is essential for the nurse to speak calmly, use reassuring gestures, and maintain a supportive presence to effectively communicate with a delirious patient. This approach can help establish a sense of trust and foster a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship during the challenging experience of delirium.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The patient is presenting with chest pain that worsens with exertion and improves with rest, which is characteristic of stable angina. Additionally, ST-segment depression on ECG is a common finding in patients with stable angina. Stable angina is typically caused by coronary artery disease, which leads to partial obstruction of the coronary arteries resulting in inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle during periods of increased demand (such as exertion). The chest pain is usually predictable and reproducible, occurring with similar intensity and duration during episodes of exertion. Rest or nitroglycerin can help relieve the symptoms by increasing coronary blood flow. It is important to differentiate stable angina from unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction, which have different management and prognostic implications.