Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A 73-year-old patient with diabetes was admitted for below the knee amputation of his right leg. Removal of his right leg is an example of which type of surgery?
A. Diagnostic
B. Reconstructive
C. Ablative
D. Palliative
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - Ati Lpn Med Surg Cohort 6 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
The correct answer is C. Ablative. Ablative surgery involves the removal of a diseased or damaged part of the body, such as an amputation. In this case, the removal of the patient's right leg due to diabetes-related complications qualifies as ablative surgery.
Similar Questions
A nurse is assessing a patient with hypokalemia, she notes that the patient's handgrip strength has diminished since the previous assessment 1 hour ago. What action does the nurse take first?
A. Assess the patient’s respiratory rate, rhythm, depth
Assess the patient’s respiratory rate, rhythm, depth:This is the correct action to take first. Hypokalemia can lead to respiratory muscle weakness, which can result in respiratory compromise or failure. Assessing the patient's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth will help determine if there are any signs of respiratory distress or impending respiratory failure.
B. Call the healthcare provider
Call the healthcare provider:While it's important to involve the healthcare provider, especially if there is a significant change in the patient's condition, assessing the patient's immediate respiratory status takes priority to ensure prompt intervention if respiratory distress is present.
C. Document findings and monitor the patient
Document findings and monitor the patient: Documenting findings and ongoing monitoring are essential steps, but they come after addressing the patient's immediate needs, such as assessing respiratory status in this case.
D. Measure the patient’s pulse and blood pressure
Measure the patient’s pulse and blood pressure:While vital signs are important, they may not immediately address the potential respiratory compromise associated with hypokalemia-induced muscle weakness. Assessing respiratory status is more directly relevant to the observed change in handgrip strength.
Full Explanation
A. Assess the patient’s respiratory rate, rhythm, depth:
This is the correct action to take first. Hypokalemia can lead to respiratory muscle weakness, which can result in respiratory compromise or failure. Assessing the patient's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth will help determine if there are any signs of respiratory distress or impending respiratory failure.
B. Call the healthcare provider:
While it's important to involve the healthcare provider, especially if there is a significant change in the patient's condition, assessing the patient's immediate respiratory status takes priority to ensure prompt intervention if respiratory distress is present.
C. Document findings and monitor the patient:
Documenting findings and ongoing monitoring are essential steps, but they come after addressing the patient's immediate needs, such as assessing respiratory status in this case.
D. Measure the patient’s pulse and blood pressure:
While vital signs are important, they may not immediately address the potential respiratory compromise associated with hypokalemia-induced muscle weakness. Assessing respiratory status is more directly relevant to the observed change in handgrip strength.
The nurse debriding a burn wound explains that the purpose of debridement is to:
A. increase the effectiveness of the skin graft.
Increase the effectiveness of the skin graft:Debridement can indeed increase the effectiveness of a skin graft by preparing a clean, viable wound bed for grafting. Removing dead tissue and debris helps the skin graft adhere to healthy tissue and promotes successful graft take. However, this is not the primary purpose of debridement.
B. promote movement in the affected area.
Promote movement in the affected area:While debridement can indirectly contribute to promoting movement by improving wound healing and reducing pain, the primary purpose of debridement is not to promote movement in the affected area.
C. prevent infection and promote healing.
Prevent infection and promote healing: This statement accurately reflects the primary purpose of debridement. By removing nonviable tissue, debris, and foreign material from the wound, debridement helps prevent infection by reducing the bacterial load and creating an environment conducive to healing. It also promotes granulation tissue formation and wound contraction, which are essential for wound healing.
D. promote suppuration of the wound.
Promote suppuration of the wound:Suppuration refers to the formation and discharge of pus from a wound, often indicating infection. Debridement aims to remove necrotic tissue and prevent infection, so promoting suppuration is not a desired outcome of debridement.
Full Explanation
A. Increase the effectiveness of the skin graft:
Debridement can indeed increase the effectiveness of a skin graft by preparing a clean, viable wound bed for grafting. Removing dead tissue and debris helps the skin graft adhere to healthy tissue and promotes successful graft take. However, this is not the primary purpose of debridement.
B. Promote movement in the affected area:
While debridement can indirectly contribute to promoting movement by improving wound healing and reducing pain, the primary purpose of debridement is not to promote movement in the affected area.
C. Prevent infection and promote healing:
This statement accurately reflects the primary purpose of debridement. By removing nonviable tissue, debris, and foreign material from the wound, debridement helps prevent infection by reducing the bacterial load and creating an environment conducive to healing. It also promotes granulation tissue formation and wound contraction, which are essential for wound healing.
D. Promote suppuration of the wound:
Suppuration refers to the formation and discharge of pus from a wound, often indicating infection. Debridement aims to remove necrotic tissue and prevent infection, so promoting suppuration is not a desired outcome of debridement.
After teaching a patient who is at risk for the formation of pressure ulcers, a nurse assesses the patients understanding. Which dietary choice by the patient indicates a good understanding of the teaching?
A. High-protein diet with vitamins and mineral supplements
High-protein diet with vitamins and mineral supplements:This choice indicates a good understanding of preventing pressure ulcers. High-protein diets are beneficial for tissue repair and wound healing. Adequate protein intake supports collagen synthesis, which is essential for maintaining skin integrity and healing wounds. Additionally, vitamins and mineral supplements can contribute to overall nutritional status and support tissue health.
B. Low-fat diet with whole grains and cereals and vitamin supplements
Low-fat diet with whole grains and cereals and vitamin supplements:While a low-fat diet and whole grains are generally healthy choices, they may not specifically address the needs of a patient at risk for pressure ulcers. Fat is important for skin health, and whole grains can contribute to overall nutrition, but protein and specific vitamins and minerals are more directly related to tissue repair and wound healing.
C. Vegetarian diet with nutritional supplements and fish oil capsules
Vegetarian diet with nutritional supplements and fish oil capsules: A vegetarian diet can be healthy, but it requires careful planning to ensure adequate protein intake, especially for tissue repair and wound healing. Nutritional supplements may help fill nutrient gaps, but specific attention to protein sources is crucial for preventing pressure ulcers. Fish oil capsules can provide omega-3 fatty acids, which may have some benefits for skin health.
D. low cholesterol, high-fiber, low-carbohydrate diet
Low cholesterol, high-fiber, low-carbohydrate diet:This diet choice focuses more on cardiovascular health and weight management rather than addressing the needs of a patient at risk for pressure ulcers. While a balanced diet with adequate fiber can support overall health, protein intake and specific vitamins and minerals are more critical for skin integrity and wound healing.
Full Explanation
A. High-protein diet with vitamins and mineral supplements:
This choice indicates a good understanding of preventing pressure ulcers. High-protein diets are beneficial for tissue repair and wound healing. Adequate protein intake supports collagen synthesis, which is essential for maintaining skin integrity and healing wounds. Additionally, vitamins and mineral supplements can contribute to overall nutritional status and support tissue health.
B. Low-fat diet with whole grains and cereals and vitamin supplements:
While a low-fat diet and whole grains are generally healthy choices, they may not specifically address the needs of a patient at risk for pressure ulcers. Fat is important for skin health, and whole grains can contribute to overall nutrition, but protein and specific vitamins and minerals are more directly related to tissue repair and wound healing.
C. Vegetarian diet with nutritional supplements and fish oil capsules:
A vegetarian diet can be healthy, but it requires careful planning to ensure adequate protein intake, especially for tissue repair and wound healing. Nutritional supplements may help fill nutrient gaps, but specific attention to protein sources is crucial for preventing pressure ulcers. Fish oil capsules can provide omega-3 fatty acids, which may have some benefits for skin health.
D. Low cholesterol, high-fiber, low-carbohydrate diet:
This diet choice focuses more on cardiovascular health and weight management rather than addressing the needs of a patient at risk for pressure ulcers. While a balanced diet with adequate fiber can support overall health, protein intake and specific vitamins and minerals are more critical for skin integrity and wound healing.