The nurse is applying an ice pack to the patient's knee. She notices moisture on the outside of the bag. How should the nurse respond?
a. Discard the ice pack because it is leaking.
b. Refill the ice pack to the top.
c. Continue to apply the ice pack.
d. Open the ice pack to allow air inside.
C
Moisture may form on the outside of the bag if room temperature is warm. This does not indicate a leak. Fill the bag two-thirds full with small ice chips. The bag is easier to mold over a body part when it is not full. Excess air in the bag interferes with cold conduction.
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A client receiving radiation and chemotherapy for treatment of cancer might have a falling white cell count because of which of the following?
a. Cancer treatments kill both malignant and normal cells in bone marrow. b. Infection commonly accompanies treatment. c. Malignant cells are destroying white cells. d. White cells decrease when no longer needed to fight cancer cells.
The nurse who provided care to a terminally ill patient does not want to spend any time with the grieving family and begins to provide care to another patient. What is this nurse demonstrating?
1. empathy 2. apathy 3. overemotionality 4. blunting
Strategies to include in a teaching plan for an adult who has repeatedly not followed the written discharge instructions would include which information source?
a. Individualized handout b. Instructional videos c. Internet resources d. Self-help books
The spouse of a patient recently diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer is angry because the patient did not seek help sooner. Which response by the nurse would be the most appropriate at this time?
A. "It is not important to know that right now." B. "You will never know." C. "Your spouse was probably afraid of getting bad news." D. "Unfortunately, the early symptoms are often vague and often not recognized as something serious."