A patient developed septic shock related to cancer chemotherapy. This morning the nurse assessed a change in the patient's mental status. The nurse's primary concern would focus on which possible etiology for this change?
1. Anxiety about and fear of death
2. Metastasis of underlying cancer
3. A result of chemotherapy
4. Decreased tissue oxygenation
4
Rationale 1: Anxiety and fear can lead to confusion, but this is not the nurse's primary concern in this situation.
Rationale 2: Metastasis to the brain could cause confusion, but this is not the nurse's primary concern in this situation.
Rationale 3: Chemotherapy can cause "chemo brain," which is a cause of confusion, but this is not the nurse's primary concern in this situation.
Rationale 4: One of the physiologic changes associated with septic shock is decreased tissue and organ perfusion. Decreased perfusion of the brain results in changes in mental status. The nurse should be alert for these changes as they could indicate worsening of the shock state.
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A patient diagnosed with panic disorder is placed on a tricyclic antidepressant. The nurse should counsel the patient to expect full benefit from the drug in:
a. 5-6 days. b. 2-3 weeks. c. 1-2 months. d. 6 months.
The nursing assistive personnel (NAP) reports that the hearing-impaired patient is usually alert and oriented with the hearing aid in place, but the patient is not responding to verbal communi-cation this morning
What action should the nurse implement first? a. Document that the patient's neurological status is poor. b. Assess the patient for clinical indicators of a stroke. c. Remove the hearing aid and clean it with a stiff brush. d. Instruct NAP to check the hearing aid battery.
If a researcher posted a recruitment notice on a website, people who responded and participated in the study would comprise a convenience sample
A) True B) False
A client is receiving D5 NSS via a peripheral IV. The client is prescribed to receive calcium gluconate (Kalcinate). The nurse knows that calcium should not be mixed with saline solution. What is the appropriate response from the nurse?
a. Ask the healthcare provider about changing the IV solution to 5% dextrose in water (D5W), because saline encourages calcium loss. b. Do not give the medication because it is the wrong solution. c. Report the healthcare provider immediately to the supervisor because it is the wrong solution. d. Change the IV solution to D5W and report it later to the healthcare provider.