Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving targeted radiation therapy to the neck. The nurse should plan to monitor the client for which of the following as an adverse effect of this therapy?
A. Constipation
Constipation can be a side effect of many cancer treatments, including radiation therapy. However, it is not commonly associated with targeted radiation therapy to the neck. Constipation is more often related to opioid pain medications, decreased physical activity, or dietary changes that a patient may experience during cancer treatment.
B. Decreased tear production
Decreased tear production is not a typical side effect of targeted radiation therapy to the neck. This condition, known as dry eye syndrome, is more commonly associated with radiation therapy that affects the eye or orbital area directly.
C. Mouth ulcers
Mouth ulcers, also known as mucositis, are a common adverse effect of radiation therapy to the neck. Radiation can damage the mucosal lining of the mouth, leading to painful sores that can affect a patient's ability to eat, speak, and swallow. These ulcers typically develop one to two weeks after starting treatment and may persist for some time after the treatment ends.
D. Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, which involves damage to the peripheral nerves and often results in symptoms like numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet, is not a common side effect of radiation therapy to the neck. It is more frequently associated with certain chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy to areas of the body where peripheral nerves are located.
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Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Constipation can be a side effect of many cancer treatments, including radiation therapy. However, it is not commonly associated with targeted radiation therapy to the neck. Constipation is more often related to opioid pain medications, decreased physical activity, or dietary changes that a patient may experience during cancer treatment.
Choice B reason: Decreased tear production is not a typical side effect of targeted radiation therapy to the neck. This condition, known as dry eye syndrome, is more commonly associated with radiation therapy that affects the eye or orbital area directly.
Choice C reason: Mouth ulcers, also known as mucositis, are a common adverse effect of radiation therapy to the neck. Radiation can damage the mucosal lining of the mouth, leading to painful sores that can affect a patient's ability to eat, speak, and swallow. These ulcers typically develop one to two weeks after starting treatment and may persist for some time after the treatment ends.
Choice D reason: Peripheral neuropathy, which involves damage to the peripheral nerves and often results in symptoms like numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet, is not a common side effect of radiation therapy to the neck. It is more frequently associated with certain chemotherapeutic agents or radiation therapy to areas of the body where peripheral nerves are located.
Similar Questions
A nurse is planning the discharge of a client who had an ischemic stroke. The nurse should ensure that the client is discharged with which of the following types of pharmacologic therapy?
A. Anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsants are medications used to prevent seizures. While seizures can occur after a stroke, anticonvulsants are not routinely prescribed unless the patient has a history of seizures or has experienced seizures post-stroke. Therefore, anticonvulsants would not be the standard pharmacologic therapy for all patients being discharged after an ischemic stroke.
B. Diuretic
Diuretics are used to remove excess fluid from the body and are commonly prescribed for conditions such as heart failure or high blood pressure. They are not typically used as a standard treatment for ischemic stroke unless the patient has a specific condition that requires fluid management.
C. Antithrombotic
Antithrombotic agents, such as aspirin or clopidogrel, are commonly prescribed to patients after an ischemic stroke to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of recurrent strokes. These medications work by inhibiting platelet aggregation and are a key part of secondary prevention in stroke management.
D. Opioid analgesic
Opioid analgesics are strong painkillers that are used to treat severe pain. They are not typically prescribed upon discharge for ischemic stroke patients unless there is a specific indication for pain management that cannot be managed with other medications.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Anticonvulsants are medications used to prevent seizures. While seizures can occur after a stroke, anticonvulsants are not routinely prescribed unless the patient has a history of seizures or has experienced seizures post-stroke. Therefore, anticonvulsants would not be the standard pharmacologic therapy for all patients being discharged after an ischemic stroke.
Choice B reason: Diuretics are used to remove excess fluid from the body and are commonly prescribed for conditions such as heart failure or high blood pressure. They are not typically used as a standard treatment for ischemic stroke unless the patient has a specific condition that requires fluid management.
Choice C reason: Antithrombotic agents, such as aspirin or clopidogrel, are commonly prescribed to patients after an ischemic stroke to prevent further clot formation and reduce the risk of recurrent strokes. These medications work by inhibiting platelet aggregation and are a key part of secondary prevention in stroke management.
Choice D reason: Opioid analgesics are strong painkillers that are used to treat severe pain. They are not typically prescribed upon discharge for ischemic stroke patients unless there is a specific indication for pain management that cannot be managed with other medications.
A nurse is caring for a client who has skeletal traction applied to the left leg. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Remove the weights before changing the client's bed linens.
Removing the weights before changing the client's bed linens is not recommended. The weights are an integral part of the traction system and removing them could disrupt the traction, potentially causing harm or discomfort to the client. The weights must be maintained to ensure the effectiveness of the skeletal traction.
B. Instruct the client to use their elbows to reposition.
Instructing the client to use their elbows to reposition themselves could be helpful, but it is not the primary action the nurse should take. While maintaining some degree of mobility is important, the nurse must ensure that the traction setup is not disturbed during any movement.
C. Check pressure points every 12 hours.
Checking pressure points every 12 hours is important to prevent skin breakdown and ulcers, especially in immobilized patients. However, this is a routine action and not specific to the care of a client with skeletal traction. The nurse should check pressure points more frequently, considering the increased risk of pressure sores in immobilized patients.
D. Provide the client with a trapeze bar.
Providing the client with a trapeze bar is the correct action. A trapeze bar allows the client to independently reposition themselves while maintaining the integrity of the traction. It helps the client to move and shift weight, which can aid in preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and muscle atrophy. It also gives the client a sense of control and independence in their care.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Removing the weights before changing the client's bed linens is not recommended. The weights are an integral part of the traction system and removing them could disrupt the traction, potentially causing harm or discomfort to the client. The weights must be maintained to ensure the effectiveness of the skeletal traction.
Choice B reason: Instructing the client to use their elbows to reposition themselves could be helpful, but it is not the primary action the nurse should take. While maintaining some degree of mobility is important, the nurse must ensure that the traction setup is not disturbed during any movement.
Choice C reason: Checking pressure points every 12 hours is important to prevent skin breakdown and ulcers, especially in immobilized patients. However, this is a routine action and not specific to the care of a client with skeletal traction. The nurse should check pressure points more frequently, considering the increased risk of pressure sores in immobilized patients.
Choice D reason: Providing the client with a trapeze bar is the correct action. A trapeze bar allows the client to independently reposition themselves while maintaining the integrity of the traction. It helps the client to move and shift weight, which can aid in preventing complications such as pressure ulcers and muscle atrophy. It also gives the client a sense of control and independence in their care.
A nurse is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client on how to care for a newly created ileal conduit. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. Change the ostomy pouch daily.
Changing the ostomy pouch daily is not necessary and could lead to skin irritation from the frequent removal and application of the adhesive. Ostomy pouches are designed to be worn for several days, and the schedule for changing them can vary based on the type of pouch and individual needs.
B. Empty the ostomy pouch when it is 2/3 full.
Emptying the ostomy pouch when it is 2/3 full is the correct instruction. This prevents the pouch from becoming too heavy, which could pull on the stoma and cause discomfort or damage. It also reduces the risk of leaks and odors.
C. Trim the opening of the ostomy seal to be 1/2 inch wider than the stoma.
Trimming the opening of the ostomy seal to be 1/2 inch wider than the stoma is incorrect. The opening should be trimmed to match the size of the stoma to provide a secure fit and prevent leakage of the contents onto the skin, which could cause irritation or infection.
D. Apply lotion to the peristomal skin when changing the ostomy pouch.
Applying lotion to the peristomal skin when changing the ostomy pouch is not recommended. Lotions or creams can interfere with the adhesive of the ostomy appliance and reduce the effectiveness of the seal. The peristomal skin should be clean and dry to ensure the best adherence of the ostomy appliance.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason: Changing the ostomy pouch daily is not necessary and could lead to skin irritation from the frequent removal and application of the adhesive. Ostomy pouches are designed to be worn for several days, and the schedule for changing them can vary based on the type of pouch and individual needs.
Choice B reason: Emptying the ostomy pouch when it is 2/3 full is the correct instruction. This prevents the pouch from becoming too heavy, which could pull on the stoma and cause discomfort or damage. It also reduces the risk of leaks and odors.
Choice C reason: Trimming the opening of the ostomy seal to be 1/2 inch wider than the stoma is incorrect. The opening should be trimmed to match the size of the stoma to provide a secure fit and prevent leakage of the contents onto the skin, which could cause irritation or infection.
Choice D reason: Applying lotion to the peristomal skin when changing the ostomy pouch is not recommended. Lotions or creams can interfere with the adhesive of the ostomy appliance and reduce the effectiveness of the seal. The peristomal skin should be clean and dry to ensure the best adherence of the ostomy appliance.