A patient makes an appointment to see a primary care practitioner for recurrent severe headaches. Which instruction by the nurse will help gather the best additional data before the appointment?
"Try relaxation and warm moist compresses for your headaches and document your response."
"Keep a diary of your headaches, recording symptoms, timing, and headache triggers."
"Call and come in the next time you have a headache so you can be examined."
"Keep track of how many headaches you have before you come in."
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: "Try relaxation and warm moist compresses for your headaches and document your response." is not the best instruction by the nurse to gather additional data before the appointment. It is a suggestion for self-care and pain relief, but it does not provide any information about the cause, type, or severity of the headaches.
Choice B reason: "Keep a diary of your headaches, recording symptoms, timing, and headache triggers." is the best instruction by the nurse to gather additional data before the appointment. It is a useful tool for collecting objective and subjective data about the headaches, such as their frequency, duration, intensity, location, quality, associated symptoms, and precipitating factors. This can help the primary care practitioner to diagnose the type of headache, such as migraine, tension, or cluster, and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Choice C reason: "Call and come in the next time you have a headache so you can be examined." is not the best instruction by the nurse to gather additional data before the appointment. It is a suggestion for urgent care, but it does not provide any information about the history, pattern, or characteristics of the headaches.
Choice D reason: "Keep track of how many headaches you have before you come in." is not the best instruction by the nurse to gather additional data before the appointment. It is a simple measure of the quantity of the headaches, but it does not provide any information about the quality, severity, or triggers of the headaches.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Sudden unconsciousness, unresponsiveness, and apnea are not typical symptoms of a brain tumor. They are more likely to indicate a stroke, seizure, or cardiac arrest.
Choice B reason: Increased temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and respirations are not specific symptoms of a brain tumor. They are more likely to indicate an infection, inflammation, or stress.
Choice C reason: Changes in vision and personality, and headache upon awakening are common symptoms of a brain tumor. They are caused by the pressure of the tumor on the brain tissue and the cranial nerves.
Choice D reason: Fever, increased white blood cell count, and decreased appetite are not typical symptoms of a brain tumor. They are more likely to indicate a systemic infection or malignancy.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor neurons, which control the voluntary muscles. It does not affect the cognitive or mental functions, such as memory, reasoning, or emotions. Therefore, the person with ALS will be aware of their condition and their surroundings, even when they lose their ability to move, speak, or breathe.
Choice B reason: ALS affects the muscles of the mouth, throat, and chest, which are involved in swallowing. As the disease progresses, the person with ALS will have difficulty swallowing food, liquids, and saliva. This can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, choking, and aspiration pneumonia.
Choice C reason: ALS does not directly cause seizures, which are abnormal electrical activity in the brain. However, some medications used to treat the symptoms of ALS, such as muscle relaxants, may increase the risk of seizures. Therefore, the person with ALS should be monitored for any signs of seizures, such as loss of consciousness, convulsions, or confusion.
Choice D reason: ALS affects the muscles of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles, which are involved in breathing. As the disease progresses, the person with ALS will have difficulty breathing, especially at night or when lying down. This can lead to respiratory failure, which is the most common cause of death in ALS. Therefore, the person with ALS may need mechanical ventilation or noninvasive positive pressure ventilation to support their breathing.
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