The single mother of a child with a head injury is sitting at the child's bedside crying when the practical nurse (PN) enters the room. The mother states, "Why did this happen to my child? I just can't cope with this." What is the best initial response by the PN?

"Do you have someone who can help you cope with this?"

"This must appear devastating to you at this moment."

"You can best help your child by remaining calm and positive."

"What was happening right before your child was injured?"

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. "Do you have someone who can help you cope with this?": Exploring support systems is important later, but the initial response should focus on acknowledging the mother’s emotions and providing empathy before moving to problem-solving.

B. "This must appear devastating to you at this moment.": This response shows empathy and emotional validation, allowing the mother to express her feelings openly. It builds rapport and demonstrates understanding, which is the most appropriate first step in offering emotional support.

C. "You can best help your child by remaining calm and positive.": Although encouraging calmness is helpful, this response minimizes the mother’s distress and may make her feel guilty for her emotional reaction, which is inappropriate at this time.

D. "What was happening right before your child was injured?": Asking about the event shifts focus away from the mother’s emotional needs and could intensify her guilt or distress, rather than providing immediate support and comfort.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. Prepare to assist in applying a new cast to reduce pressure points: Recasting is unnecessary unless there is malalignment, skin compromise, or complications. Formation of a callus is a normal healing process and does not require a new cast.

B. Explain that this is an expected part of the bone healing process: A callus is new bone that forms around a fracture as part of natural healing. Educating the client helps reduce anxiety and reinforces understanding of normal fracture recovery milestones.

C. Report the client's concern to the healthcare provider: While documentation of client concerns is appropriate, reassurance and education about normal healing is the priority in this situation. There is no complication requiring provider intervention.

D. Teach the client strategies to prevent further calluses: Callus formation at the fracture site is a desired outcome of bone healing, not a preventable problem. Interventions to prevent calluses are unnecessary and would be misleading.

A. After washing feet, dry thoroughly between toes. B. Monitor fingerstick glucose daily for tight control. C. Report any foot injury or sore that does not readily heal. D. Make sure shoe size fits to minimize rubbing and blisters.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. After washing feet, dry thoroughly between toes: Proper foot hygiene, including drying between the toes, helps prevent fungal infections. However, it does not directly address the long-term complication of diabetic neuropathy and poor wound healing that can lead to ulcers or amputations.

B. Monitor fingerstick glucose daily for tight control: Regular glucose monitoring is essential for overall diabetes management but is not specific to preventing foot complications, the most critical prevention strategy involves prompt detection and treatment of foot injuries.

C. Report any foot injury or sore that does not readily heal: Early reporting of nonhealing wounds is vital because diabetic neuropathy and impaired circulation can lead to ulcers, infection, gangrene, and potential amputation. Prompt medical evaluation of even minor injuries is the most important measure to prevent serious, long-term complications.

D. Make sure shoe size fits to minimize rubbing and blisters: Wearing properly fitted shoes helps prevent friction and skin breakdown. However, the most crucial instruction is to report any injury or sore immediately, as delayed reporting increases the risk of severe diabetic foot complications.

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The single mother of a child with a head injury is sitting at the child's bedside crying when the practical nurse (PN) enters the room. The mother states, "Why did this happen to my child? I just can't cope with this." What is the best initial response by the PN?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Two weeks after cast application, a client with a fractured right arm returns to the clinic for evaluation. The client seems upset and tells the practical nurse (PN) that the healthcare provider said a callus has formed on the bone. Which action should the PN take?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Which foot care instruction is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to reinforce that minimizes a long-term complication for a client who is newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Based on the principle of asepsis, the practical nurse (PN) should consider which situation to be sterile?

A client in the third trimester of pregnancy reports that she feels some " places" in her breasts and that her nipples sometimes leak a yellowish fluid. She has an appointment with her healthcare provider in two weeks. Which action should the practical nurse take?

A 25-year-old client is admitted to labor and delivery in active labor. This is her second pregnancy and she has a two-year old son at home. Which description of gravity and parity is correct for this client?

The practical nurse (PN) observes an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) obtain a client's vital signs. The PN should intervene when observing the UAP performing which technique?

Before administering zolpidem at bedtime, which client assessment should the practical nurse (PN) complete?

A client receives a prescription for dextromethorphan 30 mg every 6 to 8 hours PO as needed for cough. The bottle is labeled "Dextromethorphan for Oral Suspension, USP 30 mg per 15 mL." How many tablespoons should the nurse instruct the client to with each dose? (Enter numerical value only.)

The parents of a child with acute glomerulonephritis are describing to the practical nurse (PN) what originally motivated them to seek medical care. Which sign is the child most likely to have exhibited?