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Question 1 of 5
A very concerned mother is at the clinic with her infant who has a large, soft lump on the side of his head. She tells the nurse that she noticed the lump about 8 hours after her baby's birth and that it seems to be getting bigger. One possible explanation for this is:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: cephalhematoma. A cephalhematoma is a collection of blood between a baby's skull and the periosteum, typically occurring due to trauma during birth. In this case, the lump appeared 8 hours after birth, which aligns with the timeline for cephalhematoma development. It is soft because it consists of blood, and it can increase in size as the blood accumulates. Incorrect Choices: A: Hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, not a collection of blood. B: Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of skull bones, leading to an abnormal head shape, not a collection of blood. D: Caput succedaneum is swelling of the soft tissues of a newborn's scalp due to pressure during delivery, not a collection of blood.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is unable to suction the nares of a newborn immediately following delivery. The attempt to pass a catheter through both nasal cavities has met with no success. What would be the nurse's best action in this situation?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Correct Answer (C): 1. Immediate intervention is crucial as the newborn needs clear airways for breathing. 2. Inability to suction the nares can lead to respiratory distress and compromise the infant's oxygenation. 3. Waiting or attempting again may delay necessary actions, risking the baby's health. 4. Physician's assistance may be needed, but recognizing the urgency is the nurse's responsibility to ensure timely care. Summary of Incorrect Choices: A. Attempting to suction again with a bulb syringe may not resolve the issue and delay necessary intervention. B. Waiting for the infant to stop crying is not ideal as it may prolong the risk of respiratory distress. D. While physician assistance may be necessary, immediate recognition of the critical situation is the nurse's primary responsibility.
Question 3 of 5
A patient is unable to differentiate between sharp and dull stimulation to both sides of her face. The nurse suspects:
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: damage to the trigeminal nerve. Trigeminal nerve damage can result in the inability to differentiate between sharp and dull sensations on the face. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for transmitting sensory information from the face to the brain. Bell's palsy (choice A) affects facial muscles, not sensory perception. Frostbite (choice C) typically causes numbness rather than loss of sensation discrimination. Scleroderma (choice D) is a connective tissue disorder that does not directly affect sensory perception on the face.
Question 4 of 5
When examining the nares of a 45-year-old patient who complains of rhinorrhea, itching of the nose and eyes, and sneezing, the nurse notes the following: pale, swollen turbinates and clear rhinorrhea. Which of the following is most likely the cause?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Allergic rhinitis. The patient's symptoms of rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing, along with pale, swollen turbinates and clear rhinorrhea, are indicative of allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by an allergic response to allergens, leading to inflammation of the nasal passages and increased mucus production. Nasal polyps (choice A) typically present with nasal congestion and reduced sense of smell. Acute sinusitis (choice B) would likely present with purulent nasal discharge and facial pain/pressure. Nasal carcinoma (choice D) is unlikely in this case due to the patient's symptoms and age.
Question 5 of 5
During the assessment of a 20-year-old patient with a 3-day history of nausea and vomiting, the nurse notes the following: dry mucosa and deep fissures in the tongue. This finding is indicative of:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The dry mucosa and deep fissures in the tongue indicate dehydration in the patient. Dehydration causes decreased saliva production, leading to dry mouth and tongue fissures. This is a common symptom of dehydration. The lack of moisture in the oral cavity can result in these physical signs. The other choices are incorrect because irritation by gastric juices typically presents with other symptoms, a normal oral condition would not show these specific findings, and side effects of nausea medication would not directly cause dry mucosa and deep fissures in the tongue. Therefore, the correct answer is A: dehydration.
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