A 75-year-old female patient presented to the office for an annual wellness visit. During the nurse's assessment, the patient explains she has been experiencing bilateral knee pain for the past eleven months. Based on the duration of the patient's symptoms, how would the nurse categorize the patient's pain?

Acute Pain

Intermittent Pain

Chronic Pain

Idiopathic Pain

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A reason:
Acute pain is typically sudden in onset and is usually the result of a specific injury or illness. It is characterized by its sharp quality and tends to last for a short duration, generally not longer than six months. Since the patient's knee pain has persisted for eleven months, it does not fall under the category of acute pain.
Choice B reason:
Intermittent pain is pain that comes and goes at intervals. Although the patient's pain could be intermittent, the classification based on duration would not be described as intermittent. This term refers more to the pattern of the pain rather than its chronicity or cause.
Choice C reason:
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for longer than six months, often continuing even after the injury or illness that caused it has healed. The patient's bilateral knee pain has been present for eleven months, which exceeds the six-month threshold, thus categorizing it as chronic pain.
Choice D reason:
Idiopathic pain refers to pain that arises without a clear cause. It is not categorized based on the duration of the pain but rather on the absence of an identifiable underlying reason. Since the patient's pain has a specific duration, it is not appropriate to classify it as idiopathic without further information regarding its cause.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Reddened intact skin is typically associated with a stage 1 pressure ulcer, where the skin is not yet broken but shows signs of redness. This stage indicates that the skin is under pressure and may be at risk for further breakdown if the pressure is not relieved.

Choice B reason:

A stage 3 pressure ulcer involves full-thickness skin loss that extends into the subcutaneous tissue layer but does not involve underlying muscle or bone. The ulcer presents as a deep crater, and there may be slough or eschar present. It is important to manage these ulcers carefully to prevent further deterioration and complications such as infection.

Choice C reason:

Skin loss involving up to the dermis layer is characteristic of a stage 2 pressure ulcer. In this stage, the epidermis and part of the dermis are lost, creating a shallow open wound or blister. This stage is less severe than stage 3 and requires different management strategies to promote healing and prevent progression.

Choice D reason:

Exposed bone is indicative of a stage 4 pressure ulcer, which is the most severe stage. It involves full-thickness skin loss with extensive destruction, possibly including muscle, tendon, or bone exposure. These ulcers are at high risk for serious infections, including osteomyelitis, and require aggressive medical and surgical intervention to heal.

A. Rhinitis medicamentosa B. Acute bacterial sinusitis C. Epistaxis D. Allergic rhinitis

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A Reason:
Rhinitis medicamentosa, also known as rebound congestion, is a condition of nasal congestion without other cold or allergy symptoms, typically caused by the overuse of nasal decongestant sprays. It does not usually present with chronic headaches or tenderness over the sinuses, which are more indicative of sinusitis.

Choice B Reason:
Acute bacterial sinusitis is likely the correct diagnosis in this scenario. It often follows a viral upper respiratory infection and presents with symptoms such as thick, discolored nasal mucus, decreased sense of smell, and facial pain or tenderness over the affected sinuses. The chronic headache and noted tenderness upon palpation over the sinuses in the client are consistent with this condition.

Choice C Reason:
Epistaxis, or nosebleed, is bleeding from the nose that can be caused by various factors, including trauma, medication, or environmental conditions. While it can be a symptom of other nasal conditions, it is not typically associated with chronic headaches or sinus tenderness following an upper respiratory infection.

Choice D Reason:
Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction to allergens such as pollen, dust, or pet dander, causing symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and sometimes headaches. However, the chronic headache and sinus tenderness described by the client after an infection are more suggestive of sinusitis rather than allergic rhinitis.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is assessing a client who has a pressure ulcer. The nurse should recognize which of the following findings is a manifestation of a stage 3 pressure ulcer?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A client reports experiencing chronic headaches after a recent upper respiratory tract infection. On physical examination, the nurse notes tenderness when palpating over the sinuses. Which condition is likely?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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