A patient has been hospitalized after her house was destroyed in a hurricane.
She has spent two weeks in the intensive care unit and has now been transferred to the surgical floor for continued respiratory monitoring and completion of IV antibiotic therapy.
The patient reports a pain level of 2 on a scale of 0 to 10. She requests sleeping medication, explaining that she is haunted by distressing thoughts and memories of the house collapsing, which prevent her from sleeping.
She says, “I used to be so happy before all of this happened.
Now I can’t seem to get out of this funk I am in.”. She would also prefer a quieter area of the unit as she is currently near the nurses’ station and is disturbed by the noise.
After listening to the patient’s symptoms, the nurse suspects that she likely has:

Phobia.

Acute stress disorder related to traumatic stress exposure.

Hallucinations.

Separation anxiety.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A rationale

Phobia is characterized by an excessive and irrational fear response. In this case, the patient’s symptoms do not indicate a specific fear, but rather general distress and intrusive thoughts related to a traumatic event.

Choice B rationale

The patient’s symptoms, which include distressing thoughts and memories of the house collapsing, difficulty sleeping, and a significant change in mood, are indicative of acute stress disorder related to traumatic stress exposure. Acute stress disorder can occur within a month of experiencing a traumatic event, like a natural disaster.

Choice C rationale

Hallucinations involve perceiving something that is not present. The patient’s symptoms do not include any indications of hallucinations.

Choice D rationale

Separation anxiety involves excessive fear or anxiety about separation from those to whom the individual is attached. The patient’s symptoms do not indicate a fear of separation, but rather distress related to a traumatic event.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Limiting activity for a day or two after returning home is a correct understanding. After a thoracentesis, it’s recommended to limit activity for a day or two to allow the body to recover.

Choice B rationale

Anticipating a stinging feeling during needle insertion is a correct understanding. The patient will feel a stinging sensation when the local anesthetic is injected.

Choice C rationale

Preparing to sit forward with arms propped on a table is a correct understanding. This position helps to expand the space between the ribs, making it easier for the doctor to access the pleural space.

Choice D rationale

Expecting a persistent cough after the procedure indicates a need for additional education. While a mild cough immediately after the procedure is normal, a persistent cough could indicate a complication such as a pneumothorax.

A. The patient was able to sleep through the night. B. The patient’s left arm is warm to touch. C. The patient’s left shoulder and collarbone are symmetric. D. The patient has no desire to eat breakfast.

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale

The patient was able to sleep through the night. This is a positive sign as it indicates that the patient is comfortable and not in distress. Sleep is essential for healing and recovery.

Choice B rationale

The patient’s left arm is warm to touch. This could indicate that there is adequate blood flow to the area, which is necessary for healing. However, warmth could also be a sign of inflammation or infection, so it’s important to monitor this closely.

Choice C rationale

The patient’s left shoulder and collarbone are symmetric. This is a good sign as it indicates that there is no obvious dislocation or fracture, which could cause pain and limit mobility.

Choice D rationale

The patient has no desire to eat breakfast. This is not necessarily a sign of progress. Loss of appetite can be a symptom of many conditions, including stress, infection, or certain medications. It’s important to encourage the patient to eat to maintain strength and support healing.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is preparing a client for an outpatient thoracentesis.Which statement made by the client indicates a need for additional education?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Correct Answer is ["A","B","C"]

Explanation

A client with a history of inflammatory bowel disease develops severe ulcerative colitis and is admitted to the intensive care unit after surgery for a fistula repair.Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the plan of care?

The nurse is performing tracheostomy care for a client when a code blue is called for another client on the unit who experiences a cardiopulmonary arrest.Which action should the nurse take?

A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reports increased shortness of breath with activity.Which test should the nurse schedule the client for evaluation of the symptoms?

A client with a possible vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection is admitted with purulent drainage from an abdominal surgical incision.What nursing interventions should be included in the plan of care? Select all that apply.

A straight catheter produced 500 mL of clear yellow urine. For each finding, indicate whether the findings suggest that the client’s condition has improved or put the client at risk for hypovolemia. Each column must have at least one selection.

While taking vital signs, a critically ill male client grabs the nurse’s hand and asks the nurse not to leave.What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

A parent brings a 4-month-old infant to the clinic.The infant has had a runny nose, a slight fever, and a cough for the last two days.Which of the following findings should alert the nurse that the child is in acute respiratory distress?