Nursing Elites

1. A patient with breast cancer is prescribed tamoxifen (Nolvadex). What should the nurse emphasize during patient education?

• A. Tamoxifen may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism, so patients should be aware of the signs and symptoms of blood clots.
• B. Tamoxifen may cause weight gain, so patients should monitor their diet.
• C. Tamoxifen may cause hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
• D. Tamoxifen may decrease the risk of osteoporosis, so patients should ensure adequate calcium intake.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Tamoxifen increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, a serious side effect. Therefore, patients should be educated about the signs and symptoms of blood clots, such as swelling, pain, and redness in the legs, and advised to seek immediate medical attention if they occur. Choice B is incorrect because weight gain is not a significant side effect of tamoxifen. Choice C is incorrect because hot flashes and menopausal symptoms are common side effects of tamoxifen but are not as critical to address as venous thromboembolism. Choice D is incorrect because tamoxifen does not decrease the risk of osteoporosis; in fact, it may increase the risk of bone loss in premenopausal women.

2. What causes secondary brain injury after head trauma?

• A. Brain injury resulting from the body’s response to tissue damage
• B. Brain injury resulting from initial trauma
• C. Injury as a result of medical therapy
• D. Focal areas of bleeding

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Secondary brain injury occurs due to the body's response to the initial trauma, which can worsen the effects of the primary injury. This response includes processes like inflammation, increased intracranial pressure, and reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. Choice B is incorrect because it refers to the primary trauma itself, not the secondary injury. Choice C is incorrect as it relates to injury caused by medical interventions rather than the body's response. Choice D is incorrect as it specifically mentions focal areas of bleeding, which is a consequence of trauma rather than the cause of secondary brain injury.

3. Which individual is likely to have the best prognosis for recovery from his or her insult to the peripheral nervous system? An adult:

• A. client who developed rhabdomyolysis and ischemic injury after a tourniquet application.
• B. who suffered a bone-depth laceration to the shoulder during a knife attack.
• C. who had his forearm partially crushed by gears during an industrial accident.
• D. client who had nerves transected during surgery to remove a tumor from the mandible.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Crushing-type injuries to the peripheral nervous system generally have a better prognosis compared to nerve transections or lacerations. In the scenario provided, the individual who had his forearm partially crushed by gears during an industrial accident is likely to have a better chance of recovery compared to nerve transection (choice D) or laceration (choice B). Rhabdomyolysis and ischemic injury after tourniquet application (choice A) are not directly related to peripheral nerve injury and do not indicate a better prognosis for recovery.

4. What is the most sensitive indicator of altered brain function?

• A. The ability to perform complex mathematics
• B. Altered level of consciousness
• C. The lack of cerebrospinal fluid production
• D. Intact cranial nerve functions

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Altered level of consciousness. Changes in consciousness are the most sensitive indicator of altered brain function as they can signal underlying neurological issues. Option A, the ability to perform complex mathematics, though it involves brain function, is not as sensitive or direct an indicator as altered consciousness. Option C, the lack of cerebrospinal fluid production, is more related to conditions like hydrocephalus rather than a direct indicator of altered brain function. Option D, intact cranial nerve functions, indicate the normal functioning of peripheral nerves and are not as sensitive to changes in brain function as alterations in consciousness.

5. When a healthcare professional observes muscle stiffening occurring within 6 to 14 hours after death, the healthcare professional should document this finding as _____ present.

• A. Livor mortis
• B. Gangrene
• C. Algor mortis
• D. Rigor mortis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Rigor mortis. Rigor mortis is the stiffening of muscles after death, typically beginning within 6 to 14 hours. Livor mortis (choice A) refers to the pooling of blood in the lowest tissues causing discoloration, gangrene (choice B) is the death of body tissue due to lack of blood flow, and algor mortis (choice C) is the cooling of the body after death.

Similar Questions