what must the Emergency Room Nurse do FIRST?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When a patient arrives in the emergency room, the nurse's first priority is to assess the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation, following the ABCs of emergency care. In this scenario, positioning the patient with the head lower than the extremities ensures proper blood flow to vital organs, especially the brain. This position helps to maintain perfusion to the brain and prevent complications such as hypotension and shock. Once the patient's position is optimized, the nurse can proceed with further interventions such as starting an intravenous line, stopping bleeding, and requesting laboratory examinations as needed.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The presentation described is most consistent with a thyroid adenoma. Thyroid adenomas are benign neoplasms of the thyroid gland and can present as painless, gradually enlarging masses in the neck. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealing thyroid follicular cells further supports the diagnosis of a thyroid adenoma. Thyroglossal duct cysts typically present as midline neck masses that move with swallowing, while lymphadenopathy presents as enlarged lymph nodes and may be associated with infection or malignancy. Thyroid carcinoma may also present as a neck mass but is more likely to be associated with other features such as vocal cord paralysis, hoarseness, or enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The presentation described is consistent with anterior uveitis. Anterior uveitis involves inflammation of the iris and ciliary body. Patients typically present with symptoms such as redness, pain, photophobia, and blurred vision. The slit-lamp examination findings of ciliary injection (redness and dilation of blood vessels in the iris and ciliary body), corneal edema, and a mid-dilated pupil with a fixed reaction to light (due to ciliary muscle spasm causing decreased accommodation) are characteristic of anterior uveitis. This condition is often idiopathic but can be associated with various systemic diseases like ankylosing spondylitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other autoimmune disorders. Treatment involves addressing the inflammation with topical corticosteroids and, in some cases, cycloplegic agents to reduce pain and inflammation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Weight reduction is the most important focus in the health teachings provided by the nurse. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for overall well-being and can significantly reduce the risk of various health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. By emphasizing weight reduction, the nurse can help improve the patient's overall health and quality of life. Jogging a mile a day and vigorous exercise are beneficial for weight management, but it is important to address the root cause of potential health problems which in this case may be excess weight. Moreover, emphasizing the importance of weight reduction does not necessarily mean encouraging extreme dieting; instead, it involves promoting a balanced and healthy approach to eating and physical activity.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The "Rights of Medication Administration" include the following fundamental principles to ensure safe medication administration: right patient, right medication, right dosage, right route, right time, and right documentation. The price of the medication is not a part of these essential rights. These rights help to prevent medication errors and ensure that patients receive the correct medication in the correct way.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The initial step of delegation is to determine the competency level of the staff for the task being given. Before delegating a task, a nurse must assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the staff member to ensure that they are competent and capable of performing the task safely and effectively. This step is crucial in ensuring that tasks are delegated appropriately and that quality patient care is maintained. By determining the competency level of the staff, Nurse Gayle can make informed decisions about delegation, provide appropriate support and resources, and facilitate effective communication throughout the delegation process.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The importance of validation in the context of communication and nursing care does not include the assumption that most patients are cognitively impaired. It would be more appropriate to approach patient interactions with the assumption that patients are capable of understanding and coherent communication. Validation is important because it helps ensure that the nurse has truly understood the patient's message, prevents misinterpretation, and fosters a sense of empathy and trust in the nurse-patient relationship. Additionally, validating the patient's thoughts and feelings can help clarify confused thoughts and promote effective communication. The other options (A, C, and D) are all valid reasons emphasizing the significance of validation in effective communication.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Urinary tract infections are strongly associated with the occurrence of preterm labor. It is important to screen for and address any urinary tract infections during pregnancy to reduce the risk of complications like preterm labor. Diagnostic procedures, such as obtaining a urine sample for testing, help healthcare providers identify and treat any infections promptly to promote a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, the nurse can explain to Patient Presley that the diagnostic procedure is necessary to detect and address any potential urinary tract infections that could impact her pregnancy.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A retrospective audit involves reviewing past cases or data to evaluate processes, outcomes, or compliance with standards. In this scenario, the nursing team plans to audit post-op patients who developed pressure sores over the past year at the Orthopedic unit. By looking at historical data from the past year, the audit is considered retrospective as it assesses what has occurred over a specified period. This type of audit helps identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement based on past events.