FREE CMSRN Medical-Surgical Nursing MCQ Questions and Answers
The medical-surgical nurse evaluates a patient who suffered a head injury 24 hours earlier and observes the emergence of slurred speech and a loss of sense of time and location. The nurse's first move is to:
Explanation:
In the given scenario, where a patient who sustained a head injury 24 hours ago is showing new symptoms such as slurred speech and disorientation, the nurse's initial action should be to inform the neurosurgeon of the patient's status.
Treatment for acute glomerulonephritis primarily aims to:
Explanation:
The main goal of treatment for acute glomerulonephritis is not specifically focused on maintaining fluid balance, although that is an important aspect of management.
Patients using the medication are advised to: in order to prevent a typical side effect of prolonged usage of phenytoin sodium (Dilantin):
Explanation:
To prevent a common adverse effect of prolonged use of phenytoin sodium (Dilantin), patients taking the drug are instructed to practice good dental hygiene and report gum swelling or bleeding. Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, which is an overgrowth of gum tissue.
The main ways that nursing diagnoses differ from medical diagnoses are as follows:
Explanation:
Nursing diagnoses differ from medical diagnoses in that nursing diagnoses focus on the patient's response to a health condition or disease, rather than solely on the pathological or medical aspects of the condition. Nursing diagnoses are formulated based on the patient's signs, symptoms, and individualized assessment data, considering their physical, emotional, social, and environmental factors. Nursing diagnoses help nurses identify actual or potential health problems that require nursing interventions to promote the patient's well-being and recovery. Medical diagnoses, on the other hand, focus on identifying and classifying diseases or medical conditions based on their signs, symptoms, and underlying pathology. Medical diagnoses guide the medical management and treatment of the disease or condition.
After receiving therapy for a heart illness, a 78-year-old patient is due to be discharged to their home. The patient will receive treatment at home from the patient's spouse, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The partner claims that their close adult children will lend a hand. Planning for discharge is best done by:
Explanation:
The best approach to discharge planning in this case would be to discuss community resources with the spouse and offer to make referrals. It is important to assess the spouse's ability to provide care and support considering their own health condition of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, involving the grown children who live nearby can be beneficial for providing additional support.
The most typical abdominal surgery problem that can be avoided is:
Explanation:
The most common preventable complication of abdominal surgery is actually postoperative surgical site infection (SSI). Surgical site infections occur when bacteria or other pathogens enter the surgical incision and cause an infection. These infections can lead to significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs.
After being moved to the surgical unit for one and a half hours, a patient who underwent spinal anesthesia four hours earlier during surgery now complains of excruciating incisional pain. The patient's temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), pulse is 108 beats per minute, blood pressure is 170/90 mm Hg, and respirations are 30 breaths per minute. The surgical dressing is dry and in tact, and the patient has pale skin. The best course of nursing action is to:
Explanation:
The most appropriate nursing intervention would indeed be to medicate the patient for pain. The patient is reporting severe incisional pain, which indicates a need for pain relief. In addition, the elevated blood pressure, increased pulse rate, and rapid respirations may be signs of pain and discomfort.