A patient is admitted for pain in the arm and jaw. The patient is later diagnosed with angina.
What type of pain does the arm and jaw pain most likely represent?
Intractable
Phantom
Referred
Cramping
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Intractable pain is pain that is persistent and does not respond to usual pain management methods. While angina can be intractable in some cases, it does not typically manifest as pain in the arm and jaw. Moreover, the patient in this scenario has not yet undergone pain management efforts, so it's premature to classify the pain as intractable.
Choice B rationale:
Phantom pain is pain that is felt in a part of the body that has been amputated or is no longer there. The patient in this scenario has not experienced any amputations, so phantom pain is not a valid explanation for the arm and jaw pain.
Choice C rationale:
Referred pain is pain that is felt in a part of the body that is different from the source of the pain. This is the most likely explanation for the arm and jaw pain in this patient. The heart and the arm and jaw share nerve pathways, so pain signals from the heart can be misinterpreted by the brain as coming from these other areas. This is a common phenomenon in patients with angina.
Choice D rationale:
Cramping pain is a type of pain that is often described as a muscle tightening or squeezing sensation. It is not typically associated with angina. While angina can sometimes cause chest tightness, it's not characterized by cramping in the arm and jaw.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Distended neck veins are not a reliable indicator of dehydration in adults. They can be caused by other factors, such as heart failure or fluid overload.
In cases of dehydration, the veins in the neck may actually be less visible due to decreased blood volume.
It's important to assess for other signs and symptoms of dehydration, such as urine output, skin turgor, and vital signs, to make an accurate diagnosis.
Choice B rationale:
A bounding pulse can be a sign of dehydration, but it can also be caused by other factors, such as anxiety, exercise, or fever. It's important to assess the pulse rate and rhythm in conjunction with other signs and symptoms to determine the cause.
A normal pulse rate is 60-100 beats per minute in adults. A bounding pulse is typically a strong, forceful pulse that can be easily felt.
Choice C rationale:
A blood pressure of 146/94 mm Hg is considered elevated, but it is not necessarily a sign of dehydration. Blood pressure can be elevated due to other factors, such as stress, pain, or underlying medical conditions. It's important to assess blood pressure in conjunction with other signs and symptoms to determine the cause. Choice D rationale:
Urine specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine. A higher urine specific gravity indicates more concentrated urine, which is a sign of dehydration.
A normal urine specific gravity is 1.005-1.030. A urine specific gravity of 1.034 is considered high and is a strong indicator of dehydration.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Irrigating the tubing with sterile normal saline solution is not a routine part of closed-wound drainage system care.
It's usually only done if there's evidence of a blockage or infection, and only under the direction of a healthcare provider. Unnecessary irrigation could introduce bacteria into the system and increase the risk of infection.
It could also disrupt the delicate balance of fluids in the wound and delay healing.
Choice B rationale:
Replacing the drainage plug after releasing hand pressure on the device is not correct. The drainage plug should actually be replaced before releasing hand pressure.
This is to prevent air from entering the system, which could disrupt the vacuum and impair drainage.
Choice D rationale:
Emptying the reservoir once per day is not frequent enough.
The reservoir should be emptied whenever it becomes full, which could be more often than once a day, depending on the amount of drainage.
Allowing the reservoir to become too full could put pressure on the wound and impede healing.
Choice C rationale:
Fully re-collapsing the reservoir after emptying it is essential to maintain the vacuum that promotes drainage. If the reservoir is not fully re-collapsed, the vacuum will be lost, and drainage will slow or stop.
This could lead to fluid accumulation in the wound, which could increase the risk of infection and delay healing.
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