A nurse is caring for a patient with spinal cord compression from a tumor. The family asks the nurse why this happens. Which of the following is the nurse's best response?
A) There is not enough data to answer that question.
B) Tumors arising within the epidural space through vertebral or lymphatic spread may cause spinal cord compression.
C) More than 75% of cases are secondary to small cell or squamous cell lung cancers, and 10% to 15% are secondary to mediastinal lymphomas.
D) This occurs because of a large amount of fluid in the spinal space.
B
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When determining the stages of separation anxiety, the nurse recognizes that the child in the despair phase is the child who:
1. Plays with toys when his parents are not around. 2. Screams and cries when his parents leave. 3. Appears to be happy and content with staff. 4. Lies quietly in bed.
A client who had premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) earlier in the pregnancy at 28 weeks returns to the labor unit 1 week later complaining that she is now in labor. The labor and birth nurse performs the following assessments
The vaginal exam is deferred until the physician is in attendance. The client is placed on electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and a baseline FHR of 130 bpm is noted. No contraction pattern is observed. The client is then transferred to the antepartum unit for continued observation. Several hours later, the client complains that she does not feel the baby move. Examination of the abdomen reveals a fundal height of 34 cm. Muscle tone is no different from earlier in the hospital admission. The client is placed on the EFM and no fetal heart tones are observed. What does the nurse suspect is occurring? a. Placental previa b. Active labor has started c. Placental abruption d. Hidden placental abruption
A nurse is interested in improving client care in the unit and determines that the best way to do so is to:
1. Read nursing research journals. 2. Return to school for an advanced degree. 3. File a report when a mistake is made. 4. Monitor the use of unit supplies.
The nurse is assessing a patient and finds crackles in the lung bases and neck vein distention. The nurse gives the patient a diuretic. What electrolyte imbalance is the nurse most concerned about?
a. Potassium imbalance b. Sodium imbalance c. Calcium imbalance d. Phosphate imbalance