The nurse is assessing a patient’s pain. Which would be the most reliable indicator of pain in a conscious, alert, and oriented patient?

Subjective report

Patient’s vital signs

Results of an x-ray

Physical examination

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: In a conscious, alert, and oriented patient, the subjective report is the most reliable pain indicator, as pain is a subjective experience. The patient’s description of intensity, location, and quality directly reflects their perception, guided by neurological pain pathways, making this the gold standard.

Choice B reason: Vital signs like elevated heart rate or blood pressure may suggest pain but are nonspecific, as they can result from anxiety, exertion, or other conditions. They are less reliable than the patient’s verbal report, which directly conveys the pain experience.

Choice C reason: X-ray results may identify structural issues but cannot directly assess pain, a subjective sensation processed by the brain’s pain pathways. They are diagnostic, not experiential, making them unreliable for gauging pain in a conscious patient.

Choice D reason: Physical examination findings, like guarding or grimacing, are indirect pain indicators and less reliable than the patient’s subjective report. These signs may be absent or misleading in some patients, making the verbal description more accurate for pain assessment.

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Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Low parity (few pregnancies) is not a primary risk factor for cervical cancer; high parity may be. Multiple sexual partners increase HPV exposure, the main cause, so this is incorrect.

Choice B reason: Endometriosis affects the uterus, not the cervix, and isn’t linked to cervical cancer. HPV from multiple partners is the key risk, so this is incorrect for the discussion.

Choice C reason: Multiple sexual partners increase the risk of HPV infection, the primary cause of cervical cancer. This is the most significant risk factor, making it the correct focus for teaching teens.

Choice D reason: Obesity is linked to some cancers but not strongly to cervical cancer. HPV exposure via multiple partners is the dominant risk, so this is incorrect for the nurse’s discussion.

A. Alcohol can interact with medications and can make some diseases worse B. This information is necessary to determine the patient’s reliability C. This information is not necessary unless a drinking problem is obvious D. The nurse needs to be able to teach all patients to avoid any alcohol consumption

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Alcohol can interact with medications, altering their metabolism via liver enzymes (e.g., CYP450), and exacerbate conditions like liver disease or hypertension. This information is critical for safe treatment planning, making it the primary reason for inquiry.

Choice B reason: Assessing patient reliability is not the purpose of asking about alcohol use. This question focuses on clinical implications, not trustworthiness, as alcohol’s effects on health and medications are the priority, making this an incorrect rationale.

Choice C reason: Alcohol use is relevant even without an obvious drinking problem, as even moderate consumption can affect medication efficacy or disease progression. Dismissing this question unless a problem is evident overlooks potential risks, making this incorrect.

Choice D reason: Teaching all patients to avoid alcohol is not universally necessary, as moderate use may be safe for some. The inquiry aims to identify specific risks, like drug interactions, not to enforce blanket abstinence, making this an incorrect reason.

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The nurse is assessing a patient’s pain. Which would be the most reliable indicator of pain in a conscious, alert, and oriented patient?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is teaching a group of teen women. Which should the nurse discuss as the risk factor most associated with cervical cancer?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

In response to a question regarding the use of alcohol, a patient asks the nurse why the nurse needs to know. What is the reason for needing this information?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A 40-year-old Asian male with no family history of cancer is in the office for his annual physical examination. What should the nurse teach the patient regarding the PSA blood test according to the American Cancer Society?

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