Which is a common verbalization of the patient with GBS regarding the EARLY ONSET of symptoms?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is characterized by ascending motor weakness, starting typically in the lower extremities and progressing upwards. Patients with GBS often verbalize the early onset of symptoms as weakness starting in the legs and potentially spreading to involve the arms and sometimes the face. Therefore, the common verbalization of the patient with GBS regarding the early onset of symptoms is ascending motor weakness. Acute hemiplegia (choice A) and acute hemiparesis (choice D) involve weakness or paralysis typically limited to one side of the body, which is not a characteristic presentation of GBS. Weakness of the four lower extremities (choice C) is also not a typical description in GBS as the weakness usually starts distally and progresses proximally.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Uterine hyperstimulation, also known as tachysystole, is a condition where the uterus contracts too frequently and/or too forcefully, leading to a decreased uterine blood flow. This can result in maternal fatigue and decreased oxygenation to the fetus, as mentioned in the scenario. Uterine hyperstimulation can be caused by several factors, including the excessive use of uterotonic medications, such as oxytocin, or the presence of uterine abnormalities.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is a common cause of secondary osteoporosis. Chronic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis can lead to bone loss due to increased osteoclast activity and decreased bone formation. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis, resulting in decreased bone density and increased fracture risk. Monitoring and managing bone health is an important aspect of care for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis to help prevent osteoporosis-related complications.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Acute appendicitis is the most likely cause of the symptoms described in the pregnant woman. The classic presentation of acute appendicitis includes fever, chills, abdominal pain localized to the right lower quadrant, rebound tenderness, and guarding. Pregnant women are at a slightly higher risk of developing appendicitis due to anatomic changes and increased abdominal pressure during pregnancy, which can lead to an atypical presentation of symptoms. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial to prevent complications such as perforation, which can be detrimental for both the mother and the fetus.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Acute narrow-angle glaucoma is a medical emergency that requires timely intervention to reduce intraocular pressure. Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a medication commonly used to treat this condition as it works as a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, reducing the production of aqueous humor in the eye. By reducing the production of aqueous humor, acetazolamide helps decrease intraocular pressure rapidly, which is crucial in managing acute narrow-angle glaucoma. Other options listed, such as Furosemide (Lasix), Atropine, and Urokinase (Abbokinase), are not typically used in the treatment of acute narrow-angle glaucoma.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: When discharging a suicidal patient who has been taking tricyclic antidepressant drugs, it is crucial for the nurse to evaluate the risk for suicide by overdose of the medication. Tricyclic antidepressants have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning that the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose can be quite small. This makes them particularly dangerous in cases of overdose, as they can lead to severe toxic effects, including cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and death.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Malpractice is a type of tort that involves professional negligence or misconduct by a professional such as a nurse that results in harm to a patient. In this scenario, failing to obtain informed consent before performing a procedure is considered a breach of the standard of care expected from a healthcare professional, which falls under malpractice. This failure to obtain informed consent deprives the patient of the right to make an informed decision about their treatment and can lead to legal consequences for the nurse.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Nurse Florence needs to attain a certain number of continuing Professional Development units in order to renew her Professional License. Continuing Professional Development ensures that nurses stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and best practices in the field, ultimately leading to improved patient care outcomes. Renewing the Professional License is crucial for Nurse Florence to legally practice nursing and demonstrate her commitment to ongoing learning and development in the profession.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The patient's presentation of excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue align with the classic symptoms of diabetes mellitus. The laboratory findings of hypernatremia (high sodium levels), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), and metabolic acidosis further support this diagnosis. In diabetes mellitus, the body is unable to properly regulate blood sugar levels due to either insufficient insulin production (Type 1 diabetes) or ineffective use of insulin by the cells (Type 2 diabetes). This leads to high blood sugar levels, causing symptoms such as polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and fatigue. The metabolic acidosis is a result of the body's breakdown of fats and proteins for energy due to the lack of glucose utilization in the cells.