Correct Resolutions
The nurse in the women's health clinic has four patients who are waiting to be seen.
Which patient should the nurse see FIRST? - CORRECT ANSWER-a. 22-year-old with
persistent red-brown vaginal drainage 3 days after having balloon thermotherapy
b. 42-year-old with secondary amenorrhea who says that her last menstrual cycle was 3
months ago
c. 35-year-old with heavy spotting after having a progestin-containing IUD (Mirena)
inserted a month ago
D. 19-year-old with menorrhagia who has been using superabsorbent tampons and has
fever with weakness Rational:
The patients history and clinical manifestations suggest possible toxic shock syndrome,
which will require rapid intervention. The symptoms for the other patients are consistent
with their diagnoses and do not indicate life-threatening complications.
A healthy 28-year-old who has been vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV)
has a normal Pap test. Which information will the nurse include in patient teaching when
calling the patient with the results of the Pap test? - CORRECT ANSWER-Pap testing is
recommended every 3 years for women your age.
To prevent pregnancy in a patient who has been sexually assaulted, the nurse in the
emergency department will plan to teach the patient about the use of - CORRECT
ANSWER-levonorgestrel (Plan-B One-Step).
Rational:
Plan B One-Step reduces the risk of pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of
intercourse. The other methods are used for therapeutic abortion, but not for pregnancy
prevention after unprotected intercourse.
A 22-year-old tells the nurse that she has not had a menstrual period for the last 2
months. Which action is MOST important for the nurse to take? - CORRECT ANSWER-
A. Obtain a urine specimen for a pregnancy test.
b. Ask about any recent stressful lifestyle changes.
c. Measure the patients current height and weight.
d. Question the patient about prescribed medications. Rational:
Pregnancy should always be considered a possible cause of amenorrhea in women of
childbearing age. The other actions are also appropriate, but it is important to check for
pregnancy in this patient because pregnancy will require rapid implementation of
actions to promote normal fetal development such as changes in lifestyle, folic acid
intake, etc.
, Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient who has developed a
small vesicovaginal fistula 2 weeks into the postpartum period? - CORRECT ANSWER-
a. Take stool softeners to prevent fecal contamination of the vagina.
b. Limit oral fluid intake to minimize the quantity of urinary drainage.
C. Change the perineal pad frequently to prevent perineal skin breakdown.
d. Call the health care provider immediately if urine drains from the vagina.
Rational:
Because urine will leak from the bladder, the patient should plan to use perineal pads
and change them frequently. A high fluid intake is recommended to decrease the risk for
urinary tract infections. Drainage of urine from the vagina is expected with vesicovaginal
fistulas. Fecal contamination is not a concern with vesicovaginal fistulas.
The nurse has just received change-of-shift report about the following four patients.
Which patient should be assessed FIRST? - CORRECT ANSWER-a. A patient with a
cervical radium implant in place who is crying in her room
b. A patient who is complaining of 5/10 pain after an abdominal hysterectomy
C. A patient with a possible ectopic pregnancy who is complaining of shoulder pain
d. A patient in the fifteenth week of gestation who has uterine cramping and spotting
Rational:
The patient with the ectopic pregnancy has symptoms consistent with rupture and
needs immediate assessment for signs of hemorrhage and possible transfer to surgery.
The other patients should also be assessed as quickly as possible but do not have
symptoms of life-threatening complications
A 27-year-old patient tells the nurse that she would like a prescription for oral
contraceptives to control her premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMD-D) symptoms.
Which patient information is MOST important to communicate to the health care
provider? - CORRECT ANSWER-a. Bilateral breast tenderness
b. Frequent abdominal bloating
C. History of migraine headaches
d. Previous spontaneous abortion
Rational:
Oral contraceptives are contraindicated in patients with a history of migraine
headaches. The other patient information would not prevent the patient from receiving
oral contraceptives.
The nurse notes that a patient who has a large cystocele, admitted 10 hours ago, has
not yet voided. Which action should the nurse take FIRST? - CORRECT ANSWER-a.
Insert a straight catheter per the PRN order.
b. Encourage the patient to increase oral fluids.
c. Notify the health care provider of the inability to void. D. Use an ultrasound scanner to
check for urinary retention.
Rational:
Because urinary retention is common with a large cystocele, the nurses first action
should be to use an ultrasound bladder scanner to check for the presence of urine in the