The following statements are on a patient’s nursing care plan. Which statement will the nurse use as an outcome for a goal of care? The patient will verbalize a decreased pain level less than 3 on a 0 to 10 scale by the

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) - the patient verbalizing a decreased pain level less than 3 on a 0 to 10 scale by the end of this shift. This outcome is immediate, concrete, and directly related to the goal of managing pain. Choice B is incorrect as it lacks specificity and a clear timeframe for evaluation. Choice C is incorrect because the outcome is vague and does not specify when the patient needs to understand the dietary changes. Choice D is incorrect because the timeframe is provided but the outcome is not specific enough and does not directly relate to the goal of pain management.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintain strict aseptic technique. This is crucial during thoracentesis to prevent infection. Step 1: Before the procedure, sterile equipment and supplies must be used. Step 2: Proper hand hygiene is essential to reduce the risk of introducing pathogens. Step 3: During the procedure, maintaining a sterile field helps minimize the risk of contamination. Step 4: After the procedure, ensuring proper disposal of all used supplies prevents the spread of infection. Summary: A: Placing the patient in a quiet and cool room may be comforting but is not directly related to the safety of the procedure. C: Advising the patient to sit still is important for accurate needle insertion but does not address infection prevention. D: Applying pressure over the puncture site is important but does not prevent infection if aseptic technique is not maintained.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take first is to obtain a Doppler and recheck the pedal pulses. This is the correct choice because it allows the nurse to further assess the circulation in the lower extremities. By using a Doppler, the nurse can accurately detect the presence or absence of pedal pulses, which is crucial in evaluating the severity of the patient's condition. This step provides objective data that can guide the next course of action. Choice A is incorrect because emergency surgery should not be anticipated without further assessment. Choice B is incorrect as assessing apical and radial pulses is not relevant in this situation. Choice C is incorrect as elevating the foot of the bed and applying warm compress may not address the underlying circulation issue.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Performing a physical examination. This method allows the nurse to directly gather patient data through observation, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. It helps in assessing the patient's overall health status, identifying any abnormalities, and establishing a baseline for further care. Reviewing literature (A) helps in evidence-based practice but does not directly collect patient data. Checking orders for tests (B) and ordering medications (D) involve actions based on data collected rather than collecting the data itself.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) - the patient verbalizing a decreased pain level less than 3 on a 0 to 10 scale by the end of this shift. This outcome is immediate, concrete, and directly related to the goal of managing pain. Choice B is incorrect as it lacks specificity and a clear timeframe for evaluation. Choice C is incorrect because the outcome is vague and does not specify when the patient needs to understand the dietary changes. Choice D is incorrect because the timeframe is provided but the outcome is not specific enough and does not directly relate to the goal of pain management.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: "Disturbed thought processes." This is the problem statement because it identifies the client's main issue, which is the disturbance in their thought processes. The "related to" part (B) indicates the cause, "Alzheimer's disease" (C) is the etiology, and "incoherent language" (D) is the evidence. By focusing on the problem statement, the nurse can develop appropriate interventions to address the client's disturbed thought processes.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: To calculate the mL needed for the injection, divide the prescribed dose by the concentration of the medication. In this case, 30 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 0.6 mL. However, since the nurse should round up to ensure the full dose is administered, the correct answer is 0.7 mL. Choice A is incorrect as it is rounded down. Choice C is incorrect as it is the exact division without rounding up. Choice D is incorrect as it is rounded up too much.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Bacon. Bacon contains the highest kilocalorie among the given choices due to its high fat content. Fat provides 9 kilocalories per gram, while carbohydrates (like in bread and apple) provide 4 kilocalories per gram and protein (like in chicken) provides 4 kilocalories per gram. Bacon, being high in fat, has more kilocalories compared to the other choices. Summary: A: Apple - Low in fat, primarily consists of carbohydrates, hence lower in kilocalories. B: Chicken - Contains protein, lower in kilocalories compared to fat, hence not the highest kilocalorie choice. D: Bread - Mainly consists of carbohydrates, lower in kilocalories compared to fat, making it not the highest kilocalorie choice.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to target and destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. It is a localized treatment that is effective in shrinking tumors and preventing cancer cell growth. Surgery (A) involves physically removing the tumor and surrounding tissues, while chemotherapy (C) uses drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Palliative treatment (D) focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life in advanced stages of cancer. In this case, the focus is on a form of cancer therapy involving high-energy electromagnetic radiation, making radiation therapy the most appropriate choice.