a nurse is caring for a client who is receiving radiation therapy for cancer which of the following skin care instructions should the nurse include in

ATI RN

ATI Exit Exam 2023

1. A client is receiving radiation therapy for cancer. Which of the following skin care instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. Apply alcohol-free lotions to your skin to prevent dryness.
B. Avoid exposing the irradiated area to direct sunlight.
C. Cleanse the irradiated area with mild soap and water.
D. Apply ice packs to the irradiated area to prevent swelling.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to avoid exposing the irradiated area to direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can further damage the skin during radiation therapy. Choice A is incorrect because alcohol-based lotions can irritate the skin further. Choice C is incorrect because mild soap and water can be drying to the skin. Choice D is incorrect because applying ice packs can cause additional skin damage during radiation therapy.

2. What is the initial step when a patient is experiencing chest pain?

A. Administer oxygen
B. Reposition the patient
C. Provide pain relief
D. Provide nitroglycerin

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is the initial step in managing chest pain. Oxygen helps improve oxygenation levels in the blood, which is crucial in cases of chest pain. Repositioning the patient, providing pain relief, or administering nitroglycerin may be necessary steps depending on the underlying cause, but administering oxygen takes precedence as it addresses the primary concern of oxygen supply to the body during chest pain.

3. A patient is 1 day postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A. Administer aspirin for pain management.
B. Keep the affected leg in a dependent position.
C. Flex the affected knee for 2 to 3 minutes every hour.
D. Apply ice packs to the affected knee.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for a client 1 day postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty is to apply ice packs to the affected knee. Ice packs help reduce swelling and pain in such clients. Administering aspirin is contraindicated due to the risk of bleeding postoperatively. Keeping the affected leg in a dependent position can impair circulation and increase the risk of complications. Flexing the affected knee for extended periods can strain the surgical site and hinder the healing process.

4. What is the primary purpose of administering an antiemetic?

A. To reduce nausea and vomiting
B. To increase appetite
C. To treat nausea caused by chemotherapy
D. To treat allergic reactions

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'To reduce nausea and vomiting.' Antiemetics are medications used to prevent or alleviate nausea and vomiting. While they may indirectly help with appetite by reducing the unpleasant symptoms that can lead to decreased food intake, their primary purpose is not to increase appetite (Choice B). Choice C, 'To treat nausea caused by chemotherapy,' is partly correct as antiemetics are commonly used to manage chemotherapy-induced nausea, but this is not their exclusive purpose. Choice D, 'To treat allergic reactions,' is incorrect as antiemetics are not primarily used for treating allergic reactions.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has osteoarthritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

A. Joint pain that improves with rest.
B. Joint stiffness that improves with movement.
C. Red, warm joints.
D. Systemic inflammation.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In osteoarthritis, joint pain that improves with rest is a common characteristic due to the relief obtained by reducing weight-bearing on the affected joint. Joint stiffness that improves with movement is more indicative of rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis. Red, warm joints are typically seen in inflammatory arthritis conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, while systemic inflammation is not a primary feature of osteoarthritis.