Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Test Bank

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Troponin is the most specific cardiac biomarker for myocardial injury. Troponin I and Troponin T are proteins released into the bloodstream when there is damage to the heart muscle, making them highly indicative of myocardial infarction. Troponin levels rise within a few hours of cardiac injury, peak within 24-48 hours, and can remain elevated for up to 2 weeks. Troponin is considered the gold standard biomarker for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction due to its high specificity and sensitivity for cardiac injury. In contrast, Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and myoglobin are also used in diagnosing myocardial infarction but are less specific than troponin. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is primarily used in heart failure diagnosis and management, and its levels are not specific to myocardial injury.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Fowler's position is the correct position to help a patient experiencing breathing difficulty. In Fowler's position, the patient is sitting up at a 45- to 60-degree angle with the legs either straight or bent. This position allows for maximum chest expansion, helping to improve ventilation and oxygenation. It is commonly used to assist patients with respiratory distress, including difficulties with breathing. Placing the patient in Fowler's position can alleviate the feeling of breathlessness and facilitate easier breathing by promoting better lung expansion.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Demerol (meperidine hydrochloride) is an opioid analgesic commonly used as a preoperative medication to decrease intra-operative anesthetic requirements and provide analgesia. Opioids like Demerol act on the central nervous system to reduce pain sensations, making it an effective choice for preoperative pain management. This can help decrease the amount of anesthesia needed during surgery, leading to better pain control and overall patient comfort during and after the procedure. Celebrex, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen are also used for pain management, but they do not have the same potency and mechanism of action as opioids like Demerol for reducing intra-operative anesthetic requirements.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Assessing the infant's latch and feeding effectiveness should be prioritized as the initial nursing intervention to address the client's concerns about inadequate milk supply. Poor latch can lead to ineffective milk removal, which may result in decreased milk production. By ensuring the infant is latching correctly and effectively transferring milk, the client's milk supply can be optimized. Education about techniques to increase milk production can be provided following the assessment of feeding effectiveness. Referring to a lactation consultant may be necessary for further evaluation and support if issues persist despite correcting the latch. Supplemental formula feedings should be recommended as a last resort after all other interventions have been attempted and if there are concerns about inadequate nutrition for the infant.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should reposition the patient to alleviate pressure on vulnerable areas. Pressure injuries can develop when there is prolonged pressure on specific areas of the skin, leading to reduced blood flow and tissue damage. Repositioning the patient helps to relieve the pressure and prevent the development of pressure injuries. Applying a pressure-relieving device may also be helpful, but the immediate action should be to reposition the patient to address the issue. Documenting the observation is important for documentation purposes, but the priority is to take action to prevent harm to the patient. Continuing with the positioning as planned without addressing the inadequate skin protection could lead to the development of pressure injuries, which should be avoided.