Five months following treatment for herpes zoster, an older adult client tells the home health nurse of continuing to experience pain where the rash occurred. Which action should the nurse implement?
Teach the client about phantom pain symptoms.
Perform a complete mental status exam.
Determine if the client has had a shingles vaccination.
Complete an assessment of the client's pain.
The Correct Answer is D
D. Persistent pain following the resolution of herpes zoster, known as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), is a common complication, especially in older adults. PHN can cause significant discomfort and affect the client's quality of life. Therefore, it is essential for the nurse to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the client's pain to better understand its characteristics, severity, duration, aggravating or alleviating factors, and impact on daily activities.
A. Patient education should follow a complete assessment of the pain to ascertain the diagnosis.
B. Performing a complete mental status exam is not indicated solely based on the client's report of persistent pain from herpes zoster.
C. Determining if the client has had a shingles vaccination is important for preventive healthcare, but it is not the priority action in addressing the client's current pain concern related to PHN. The focus should be on assessing and managing the client's pain to improve their comfort and well-being.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
C. The DASH eating plan emphasizes consumption of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, lean proteins, and limited amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium. Therefore, enjoying fat-free yogurt as an occasional snack food aligns with the principles of the DASH eating plan.
A. is a good practice for food safety but does not specifically indicate adherence to the DASH eating plan. The DASH plan encourages consumption of fruits and vegetables but does not require meticulous cleaning or peeling.
B. may be suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance but is not a specific requirement of the DASH eating plan. The DASH plan recommends low-fat or fat-free dairy products but does not specify lactose-free products.
D. The DASH plan encourages consumption of whole grains as part of a balanced diet and recommends incorporating whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice, and oats.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. This choice involves culturing a sputum sample collected from the patient to identify the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. A positive result confirms the diagnosis of TB.
B. Hemoccult tests are used to detect hidden (occult) blood in stool samples. While hemoptysis (coughing up blood) can be a symptom of TB, a hemoccult test is not specific for TB diagnosis. It is more commonly used in detecting gastrointestinal bleeding.
C. Imaging studies like chest x-ray or CT scans can reveal abnormalities in the lungs suggestive of TB, such as infiltrates, cavitations, or lymph node enlargement. While these tests can support the diagnosis, they are not definitive on their own.
D. The PPD skin test is a common screening tool for TB exposure. It detects the presence of a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to proteins derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A positive PPD indicates exposure to TB but does not confirm active disease.
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