The nurse is caring for a client who has been admitted with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The client reports a pain level of 8 on a 0 to 10 pain scale, dysphagia, anorexia, anxiety, and a hoarse voice. Which nursing problem is the priority for this client?
Anxiety and grieving related to progression of disease.
Chronic pain related to tissue destruction by tumor.
Risk for aspiration related to difficulty swallowing.
Imbalanced nutrition less than body requirements.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale
Anxiety and grieving are important issues but are not the priority when the client is at risk for aspiration.
Choice B rationale
Chronic pain is significant, but the immediate risk of aspiration due to dysphagia takes precedence.
Choice C rationale
Risk for aspiration related to difficulty swallowing is the priority nursing problem. Aspiration can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia.
Choice D rationale
Imbalanced nutrition is important but is secondary to the immediate risk of aspiration.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Offering mouthwash for thorough cleansing after brushing teeth can be too harsh for clients with painful mouth ulcers caused by Candida albicans. It may cause further irritation and discomfort.
Choice B rationale
While assistive personnel can help with personal care, oral care should not be left solely to the nurse. Providing appropriate tools and guidance for the client to perform oral care is essential.
Choice C rationale
Providing a soft-bristled toothbrush is appropriate for clients with oral Candida albicans. It helps in gentle cleaning without causing additional pain or damage to the mucosa.
Choice D rationale
Wearing sterile gloves is not necessary for routine oral care. Clean gloves are sufficient unless there is a specific need for sterility, such as in surgical procedures.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan can show abnormalities in the lungs that are suggestive of tuberculosis (TB), but they cannot definitively diagnose TB. These imaging tests can reveal changes in the lungs, such as nodules, inflammation, or fluid buildup, which can be caused by TB or other conditions. Therefore, a chest X-ray or CT scan alone is not sufficient to diagnose TB.
Choice B rationale
A hemoccult test on sputum collected from hemoptysis is not a diagnostic test for TB. It is a test for blood in the stool, which can be a symptom of TB but is not specific to TB. Hemoptysis, or coughing up blood, can occur in various conditions, including bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer, and TB. The hemoccult test cannot differentiate between these causes, making it an unreliable test for diagnosing TB.
Choice C rationale
A positive purified protein derivative (PPD) skin test indicates exposure to TB but does not confirm active infection. The PPD skin test involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin, a protein derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, into the skin. If a person has been exposed to TB, their immune system will react to the tuberculin, causing a raised red bump to appear at the injection site. However, a positive PPD skin test does not necessarily mean that a person has active TB infection. It could also mean that they have been exposed to TB in the past but have successfully fought off the infection. Further testing, such as a sputum culture, is needed to confirm the diagnosis of TB.
Choice D rationale
A sputum culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the definitive diagnostic test for TB. It involves collecting a sample of sputum, which is the mucus coughed up from the lungs, and culturing it in a laboratory to see if Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes TB, grows. This test is highly specific for TB, meaning that a positive result is almost always indicative of TB infection. It is also sensitive, meaning that it can detect TB infection even when there are few bacteria present.