Question 1

A patient is undergoing pelvic floor sphincter electromyography.Which of the following is an abnormal finding during this test?

Accepted Answer

Incontinence before voiding is an abnormal finding, as it indicates a lack of control over the pelvic floor muscles, which should normally prevent urine leakage until voluntary voiding occurs.

Question 2

A patient is suspected of having dermatitis.Which test would be most appropriate for confirming this diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Eosinophil count is often elevated in patients with dermatitis, as eosinophils play a role in allergic reactions and inflammation, which are common in dermatitis.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a patient who complains of swelling and pain in his right foot.He states that he has a family history of gout.Which of the following labs would be most helpful in further determining a diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Elevated uric acid levels in the blood are a sign of gout. Therefore, checking the patient's uric acid levels would be helpful in further determining a diagnosis. Folate levels, glycated hemoglobin, and osteocalcin are not relevant to a diagnosis of gout.

Question 4

The nurse is providing care for a woman who is at 33 weeks gestation and experiencing symptoms of pre-eclampsia.Amniocentesis is planned, which will include an L/S (lecithin sphingomyelin)ratio.Which of the following statements by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

The L/S ratio is used to assess fetal lung maturity, which is important in determining whether it is safe to consider delivery in cases of pre-eclampsia. The other options are not relevant to the L/S ratio test.

Question 5

The nurse is counseling a patient whose lab tests include intrinsic factor.The patient's response to which of the following questions should be documented to ensure accurate test results?

Accepted Answer

The presence of intrinsic factor is measured to determine if a patient is producing enough of the protein to properly absorb vitamin B12. Vitamin supplements containing vitamin B12 could interfere with the accuracy of the test. Therefore, asking if the patient has had vitamin B12 in the past 2 days is the most relevant question to ensure accurate test results.

Question 6

A nurse is discussing with a patient the American Cancer Society's recommendations regarding prostate-specific antigen (PSA)screening.At which age should a man with average risk for prostate cancer consider beginning this screening?

Accepted Answer

The American Cancer Society recommends that men with average risk for prostate cancer should consider starting PSA screening at age 50.

Question 7

The nurse is caring for a patient who has become dependent on transfusions due to myelodysplastic syndrome.Which of the following laboratory values will be an important component of preventing complications of the treatment?

Accepted Answer

Iron levels are important to monitor in patients receiving frequent transfusions because excess iron can build up in the body, leading to organ damage and other complications. Routine monitoring of iron levels can help prevent these complications. Rheumatoid factor and C-reactive protein are indicators of inflammatory processes but are not directly related to transfusion complications. Total protein can be a useful marker for overall nutritional status but is not as critical to monitor in this specific situation.

Question 8

A nursing student recognizes that syphilis serology is done to test for suspected syphilis and is also done in which of the following situations?

Accepted Answer

Donated blood is routinely tested for syphilis (among other infectious diseases) prior to release for transfusion to ensure the safety of the blood supply and prevent the transmission of infectious diseases through blood transfusions.

Question 9

The nurse is counseling the mother of a child who is being tested for lead poisoning.Which of the following statements would be included in the teaching?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Levels greater than 60 mcg/dL require treatment" is correct and important for the mother to know. Monitoring for lead poisoning is important, and treatment may be necessary to prevent further harm. Statements A, B, and D are incorrect and may lead to misunderstandings or lack of concern for a potentially serious health issue.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient with prostate cancer with rising PSA values.Which of the following test results, if noted in the chart, would support the suspicion of bony metastasis?

Accepted Answer

Elevated levels of osteocalcin (a marker of bone formation and resorption) would indicate increased bone turnover and therefore could support the suspicion of bony metastasis in a patient with rising PSA values and prostate cancer. The other lab values listed are not specifically indicative of bony metastasis.

Question 11

A nurse is giving pre-test instructions to a mother whose newborn will be undergoing an upper gastrointestinal and small bowel series.The nurse should tell the mother to refrain from feeding the child for how many hours before the procedure?

Accepted Answer

For an upper gastrointestinal and small bowel series, it is generally recommended to refrain from feeding the child for 2 to 3 hours before the procedure to ensure the stomach and bowels are empty for clear imaging.

Question 12

The nurse is preparing to provide Coumadin 5 mg po to a female patient with an artificial heart valve.Which of the following lab values would cause the nurse to withhold the medication?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is preparing to provide Coumadin...

Question 13

A patient is suspected of having disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).The nurse is aware that two different tests-D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP)-can be used to differentiate and treat suspected cases of fibrinolysis.Which of the following test results would be consistent with a diagnosis of DIC?

Accepted Answer

In DIC, both FDP and D-dimer are increased due to the excessive clotting and subsequent breakdown of clotting factors. Therefore, option C is the correct choice. Options A, B, and D are inconsistent with a diagnosis of DIC.

Question 14

A nurse is assisting as a physician performs transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)on a patient.The nurse should recognize that which of the following is a critical finding that should be communicated to the requesting health-care provider immediately?

Accepted Answer

An aortic aneurysm is a critical finding that requires immediate communication to the requesting health-care provider as it can be life-threatening if it ruptures. The other options are important findings but do not require immediate action.

Question 15

The nurse is reviewing charts in an obstetric office.Which of the following findings would indicate a need for follow-up?

Accepted Answer

An elevated AFP value may indicate a neural tube defect or other fetal abnormalities. Therefore, a repeat test is necessary to confirm the elevated value and rule out any potential issues. The other options do not mention a need for follow-up based on their AFP values.

Question 16

A patient is suspected of having a cardiac arrhythmia.Which of the following diagnostic procedures would be most appropriate for detecting this condition, if present?

Accepted Answer

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most appropriate diagnostic procedure for detecting cardiac arrhythmias. This test measures the electrical activity of the heart to determine if there are any abnormal rhythms present. Echocardiography evaluates the heart's structure and function, while electroencephalography and electromyography assess brain and muscle function, respectively.

Question 17

A nurse is assessing a patient for potential contraindications to a scheduled fluorescein angiography procedure with pupil dilation.Which of the following findings, if present, should prompt the nurse to immediately notify the health-care provider to cancel the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Fluorescein angiography with pupil dilation is contraindicated in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma as it can increase intraocular pressure and potentially lead to an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack. Therefore, the nurse should immediately notify the healthcare provider to cancel the procedure if the patient has narrow-angle glaucoma. The other options are not contraindications for fluorescein angiography with pupil dilation, although they may require additional precautions or monitoring.

Question 18

The nurse is providing care to a young woman with a history of ruptured ectopic pregnancy who has a positive home-pregnancy test and reports the first date of her most recent menstrual cycle was 7 weeks ago.The health-care provider has ordered serial HCG levels weekly * 3.Which of the following explanations by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

Serial HCG levels can help detect another ectopic pregnancy before a rupture, as it is released by the placenta and increases in early pregnancy.

Question 19

A neighbor confesses to the nurse that she and her husband have not been successful at conceiving a child and her husband is reluctant to pursue any testing.The woman asks, "Is there anything that might help?" Which of the following statements by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

The best choice would be to provide information that could be helpful while also encouraging the couple to seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Option A might be insensitive or presumptuous, while option B might be discouraging. Option C might be disregarding the patient's concerns and fears. Therefore, the best option is to suggest some lifestyle changes that could be helpful but to also encourage the couple to seek professional guidance.

Question 20

A patient's laboratory results indicate a decreased level of ferritin.This finding is most consistent with which of the following conditions?

Accepted Answer

Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, and its decreased levels indicate iron deficiency. The most common cause of iron deficiency is iron-deficiency anemia, hence choice C is the correct answer. Alcoholism can lead to macrocytic anemia due to a lack of folate and vitamin B12, and hemolytic anemia results from the destruction of red blood cells. Hemosiderosis is an iron-overload disorder and not associated with low ferritin levels.

Quiz 4: Monographs