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A nurse is conducting a home visit for a 72-year-old patient with progressive hearing loss. The patient’s daughter reports, “Mom used to love going to church and playing cards with her friends, but now she refuses to leave the house. She says people think she’s stupid because she can’t hear them.” Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse prioritize for this patient?  

A 58-year-old patient was recently diagnosed with stage III lung cancer. The oncologist recommends palliative care in addition to chemotherapy. The patient states, “I don’t understand. Isn’t palliative care just for people who are dying?” Which response by the nurse best demonstrates understanding of palliative care?

The nurse has a patient who has just started on a tricyclic antidepressant. What should the nurse include in patient education to address potential anticholinergic effects of the medication?  

A nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports a pain level of 7/10. The patient appears relaxed with eyes closed intermittently while watching television. The patient’s vital signs are stable. Which action by the nurse best demonstrates appropriate pain assessment principles?  

A patient is being discharged home following abdominal surgery with a 1-week supply of oxycodone for pain management. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching?

Jane, a nurse, is caring for a patient whose cultural beliefs conflict with her personal values. The nurse feels emotionally uncomfortable but wants to maintain culturally congruent care. Which action is most appropriate?  

A nurse is caring for a 78-year-old patient with dementia who is refusing to eat. The patient’s daughter insists the nurse “make him eat” and states, “I have medical power of attorney, so you have to do what I say.” The patient continues to turn his head away and clench his teeth when food is offered. What should be the nurse’s priority action?

A nurse is planning care to promote sleep for patients on a medical-surgical unit. Which interventions should the nurse implement to improve sleep quality in the hospital setting? Select all that apply.  

A patient who has been taking oxycodone (an opioid) for chronic back pain for 6 months tells the nurse, “My doctor wants to switch my pain medication, but I’m afraid I’ll have withdrawal symptoms.” Which response by the nurse demonstrates understanding of physical dependence?  

A nurse is developing a care plan for a patient who has expressed spiritual distress related to feeling disconnected from their faith community since being hospitalized for three weeks following a stroke. Which nursing intervention would be most appropriate to include in the plan of care?