A 39-year-old patient is being evaluated for a possible spinal cord tumor. Which finding by the nurse requires the most immediate action?
a. The patient has new onset weakness of both legs.
b. The patient complains of chronic severe back pain.
c. The patient starts to cry and says, "I feel hopeless."
d. The patient expresses anxiety about having surgery.
ANS: A
The new onset of symptoms indicates cord compression, which is an emergency that requires rapid treatment to avoid permanent loss of function. The other patient assessments also indicate a need for nursing action but do not require intervention as rapidly as the new onset weakness.
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A woman arrives at the hospital to deliver her first child. She has no previous history of hospitalization or serious illness
During her stay, the client is highly anxious and demands to be informed of all information documented on her medical record. The client's husband informs the nurse that the client's mother died in the hospital 10 months ago after a brief battle with lung cancer. he most probable reason for the client's current reaction is: a. An obsessive fear of dying b. Reluctance in becoming a mother c. Symbolic meaning of the hospital d. Ambivalence regarding the sick role
What manifestations might be assessed by a nurse when a patient is diagnosed with the oncologic emergency hypercalcemia?
a. Hypertension and bradycardia b. Fatigue, confusion, and weakness c. Laboratory test results of potassium 3.5 mEq/L, sodium 143 mEq/L d. Urine output less than 30 mL/hr
A patient reports to the nurse that he seems to be sleeping less at night but now regularly requires at least two short naps a day. He expresses a concern that "something is wrong." The nurse re-sponds that
a. "Aging alters our sleep patterns, so what you describe is really quite common." b. "Circadian sleep rhythms are controlled by the hypothalamus, which is affected by age." c. "Sleep patterns are affected by so many things; have you been under a lot of stress lately?" d. "Can you be more specific about what you think is wrong with your sleep pattern?"
Which of the following is a major ethical and legal issue for all community/public health care professionals?
a. Ensuring total compliance by clients to their treatment regimens b. Balancing individual autonomy against community protection c. Providing home care versus insisting that the client come to the clinic d. Allowing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) carriers, even if licensed professionals, to be employed within health care agencies