The nurse is assessing a client who had a surgical excision of a basal cell carcinoma one week ago. Assessment findings include redness, warmth, and serosanguinous drainage from the site. What would be the priority action by the nurse?
Request a prescription to culture the wound
Request a prescription for broad spectrum antibiotics
Assure the client this is normal in the healing process
Clean the wound with sterile normal saline
The Correct Answer is A
A. Requesting a prescription to culture the wound is the priority action because the presence of redness, warmth, and serosanguinous drainage could indicate an infection that needs to be confirmed and treated appropriately.
B. While antibiotics may be necessary if an infection is confirmed, it is crucial to first determine the presence of infection through culturing the wound.
C. Assuring the client that these findings are normal may delay necessary intervention if an infection is present, which could worsen the client's condition.
D. Cleaning the wound with sterile normal saline may be appropriate as part of wound care, but it does not address the underlying concern of possible infection and would not be prioritized over obtaining a culture.
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Correct Answer is A
Explanation
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B. BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing is a form of genetic testing used for risk assessment rather than prevention; it helps identify individuals at high risk for breast and ovarian cancers but does not prevent cancer itself.
C. Annual mammograms are a secondary prevention measure aimed at early detection of breast cancer rather than preventing the disease from occurring, as they help identify cancer in its early stages.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
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B. Alopecia is typically associated with radiation therapy to areas where hair grows, such as the head, rather than the lung area, so it is not expected in this case.
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D. Esophagitis is a well-known complication of radiation therapy to the chest area, as the esophagus can be affected by radiation exposure, leading to inflammation and discomfort in swallowing.