A 60-year-old patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease is admitted to the hospital with complaints of coffee-ground emesis and melena. What is the nurse's most appropriate initial action?
Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and relax.
Prepare the patient for an abdominal ultrasound.
Administer oral proton pump inhibitors as prescribed.
Initiate intravenous (IV) access and administer fluids as prescribed.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Encouraging the patient to relax and breathe deeply does not address the immediate concerns of potential hemorrhage.
B. An abdominal ultrasound is not the first step in managing potential GI bleeding; stabilization is the priority.
C. Proton pump inhibitors are important for managing peptic ulcer disease, but the immediate priority is
stabilizing the patient’s condition.
D. Initiating IV access and administering fluids as prescribed is essential to stabilize the patient, manage shock, and address potential blood loss from gastrointestinal bleeding.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
A. Genetics play a significant role in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Having a family history of MS increases the risk, suggesting a hereditary component to the condition.
B. Environmental factors, such as living in areas with low sunlight or viral infections like Epstein-Barr virus, have been linked to a higher incidence of MS, suggesting environmental triggers may contribute to disease onset.
C. Upper respiratory infections are not directly associated with the development of multiple sclerosis. While infections may trigger MS flare-ups, they are not primary contributors to its development.
D. Autoimmune factors are central to the pathophysiology of MS, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system, causing the characteristic lesions and nerve damage seen in MS.
E. Urinary tract infections are common complications in individuals with MS, but they do not contribute to the disease's development itself.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. A troponin level is used to diagnose cardiac injury, not multiple sclerosis. It does not help in confirming MS.
B. A myelogram is a diagnostic test for spinal cord disorders, but it is not typically used to diagnose multiple sclerosis.
C. A lumbar puncture is commonly performed to help diagnose multiple sclerosis. It can show abnormalities such as oligoclonal bands in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is suggestive of MS.
D. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a marker for heart failure and is unrelated to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
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