A 71-year-old woman with a history of chronic obstructive ...

[ahriuashd]

A 71-year-old woman with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) has begun tapering off of prednisone.
 
  The nurse should prioritize which of the following assessments during this phase of the woman's care? A) Daily weights
  B) Level of consciousness assessment
  C) Nonstress cardiac testing
  D) Positional blood pressure measurement

Question 2

A 42-year-old female patient with HIV has been receiving antiretroviral therapy for several years, and her care team has recently added raltegravir (Isentress) to her drug regimen.
 
  When appraising the success or failure of this change in treatment and the patient's ability to fight infection, the nurse should prioritize which of the following laboratory values? A) The patient's C-reactive protein levels
  B) The patient's erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
  C) The patient's viral load
  D) The patient's CD4 count

[jjorrostieta]

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
When caring for a patient with COPD and a history of heart failure who takes a tapering dose of prednisone, it is necessary to instruct the patient to check his or her weight daily. The patient should also assess his or her extremities for edema. If the patient's weight increases, edema is evident, and shortness of breath develops, the patient should notify the primary health provider. This potential alteration in fluid balance is more likely than blood pressure changes, decreased LOC, or acute cardiac changes.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
The nurse assesses for an increase in T-helper CD4 cells. The CD4 count measures the ability to fight against infections. CD4 count is more important than viral load in this regard. CRP levels and ESR do not reflect the patient's immune function.

[ahriuashd]

Thanks

[jjorrostieta]

Welcome