A client has just been told that her breast biopsy was positive for cancer. The client is crying when the nurse enters the room. What is the nurse's best response?
1. "Why are you crying?"
2. "We can sit here quietly. You don't need to talk unless you want to."
3. "I'm so sorry about your diagnosis."
4. "Everything will be okay. Treatments today are very successful."
Correct Answer: 2
The best response for this client's situation is just to sit quietly with her and be available to talk when she is ready. Although the nurse might say, "I'm so sorry about your diagnosis," that presumes that the client is crying about that situation, which might be inaccurate. The nurse should wait for cues from the client before proceeding. Asking "Why are you crying?" is too direct at this time. "Everything will be okay" is a platitude and may be inaccurate. It minimizes the client's current condition.
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A child's genetic disorder is thought to have arisen from a process called crossing over. The mother says, "I can't believe this happened. Is it because of something I did while I was pregnant?" How should the nurse respond?
1. "No, crossing over only happens in sperm." 2. "No, crossing over occurred before you got pregnant." 3. "Did you drink alcohol during your pregnancy?" 4. "Crossing over happens very late in embryonic development. It is random and is not caused by anything you did."
A patient has been given a prescription for
levodopa-carbidopa (Sinemet) for her newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease. She asks the nurse, "Why are there two drugs in this pill?" The nurse's best response reflects which fact? a. Carbidopa allows for larger doses of levodopa to be given. b. Carbidopa prevents the breakdown of levodopa in the periphery. c. There are concerns about drug-food interactions with levodopa therapy that do not exist with the combination therapy. d. Carbidopa is the biologic precursor of dopamine and can penetrate into the central nervous system.
A child has sustained a minor burn. The nurse should teach the family that the child's diet should be high in
1. fats. 2. protein. 3. minerals. 4. carbohydrates.
Which is the priority action by the school nurse for an adolescent who drops to the ground and is unresponsive during a high school basketball game?
1. Initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) 2. Calling 911 3. Offering the parents comfort 4. Assessing for hemorrhage