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: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Risk for impaired skin integrity related to edema, skin fragility, and poor wound healing. This nursing diagnosis takes highest priority for a client with hyperparathyroidism because the client is at risk for skin breakdown due to edema, skin fragility, and poor wound healing caused by the condition. Skin integrity is crucial for preventing infection and promoting overall health. Choice A is incorrect because hyperparathyroidism is not related to thyroid hormone excess, but rather to parathyroid hormone excess. Choice C is incorrect because body image disturbance is not the highest priority compared to the risk of skin breakdown. Choice D is incorrect because hyperparathyroidism typically leads to hypercalcemia and not imbalanced nutrition related to thyroid hormone excess.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Performing a physical examination. This method allows the nurse to gather comprehensive data about the patient's health status, including vital signs, physical appearance, and potential health issues. It provides valuable information for developing an individualized care plan. Reviewing literature (A) is important but not for establishing a patient's database. Checking orders (B) and ordering medications (D) are part of the treatment process and do not directly contribute to establishing the initial patient database.

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: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Diagnostic reasoning. Diagnostic reasoning involves using assessment data and critical thinking skills to develop a nursing diagnosis. This process includes analyzing and interpreting data to make clinical judgments about the patient's health status. A: Assigning clinical cues is incorrect because this refers to identifying and documenting specific observations or findings during the assessment process, not the process of developing a nursing diagnosis. B: Defining characteristics is incorrect because this refers to the specific symptoms or manifestations used to support a nursing diagnosis, not the overall process of diagnostic reasoning. D: Diagnostic labeling is incorrect because this refers to assigning a formal name to the nursing diagnosis, not the process of critically analyzing assessment data to develop it.