What is the primary goal of palliative care?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The primary goal of palliative care is to provide comfort and improve the quality of life for clients with serious illnesses. Palliative care aims to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs to enhance overall well-being rather than focusing on curing the underlying illness, prolonging life, or preparing for surgery. It emphasizes symptom management, pain relief, and support for patients and their families to ensure a better quality of life during the course of their illness.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Cleaning around the stoma with mild soap and water is crucial for colostomy care as it helps prevent infection and skin irritation. Changing the colostomy bag frequency, dietary modifications, or applying lotion are not primary aspects of stoma care. Proper cleaning around the stoma helps maintain hygiene and prevents complications, making it a key component of caring for a colostomy.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: A petechial rash is a characteristic finding in clients with meningitis, indicating small, pinpoint hemorrhages under the skin. This rash results from the infection's impact on the blood vessels. Petechiae are important to recognize as they can help differentiate meningitis from other conditions with similar symptoms. Brudzinski's sign, neck stiffness, and positive Kernig's sign are more common physical exam findings in meningitis. Flaccid neck muscles and hypoactive deep tendon reflexes are not typically associated with meningitis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Verifying the client's identity is the essential initial step before administering a blood transfusion. This action is crucial to confirm that the correct blood product is being administered to the right client, thereby preventing any potential errors or adverse reactions. Ensuring patient safety is paramount in healthcare, and verifying the client's identity is a fundamental safety measure that should always be prioritized.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: To ensure effective drainage, the catheter should be inserted 2-4 inches into the urethra. This length allows the catheter to reach the bladder, bypass the urethral sphincters, and ensure proper drainage without causing discomfort or injury. Using sterile gloves, cleaning the catheter with alcohol, and performing the procedure every 8 hours are not accurate instructions for self-catheterization.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The primary purpose of therapeutic communication in healthcare is to establish a therapeutic relationship between the healthcare provider and the client. Through effective communication, trust, empathy, and understanding can be fostered, which are essential for providing quality care and promoting positive health outcomes. Building a therapeutic relationship enhances patient satisfaction, improves adherence to treatment plans, and increases the likelihood of successful health outcomes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client with a new prescription for digoxin is to take their pulse before taking the medication. Digoxin can lead to bradycardia as a side effect, and monitoring the pulse helps in assessing the heart rate prior to medication administration. This precaution allows for the identification of any significant changes in heart rate that may require medical attention.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Shaking the inhaler before use is crucial to ensure proper mixing of the medication. This action helps distribute the medication evenly, allowing for consistent dosing with each use. It is a vital step in using a metered-dose inhaler correctly to optimize its effectiveness in managing respiratory conditions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When a pressure ulcer is healing, there is a decrease in its size as the tissue repair progresses. This reduction in size is a positive indication of the healing process. An increase in drainage, presence of foul odor, or reddened wound edges are typically signs of infection or lack of improvement. Therefore, the correct answer is a decrease in size.