Nursing Elites

1. A 36-year-old male patient in the outpatient clinic is diagnosed with acute hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

• A. Schedule the patient for HCV genotype testing.
• B. Administer the HCV vaccine and immune globulin.
• C. Teach the patient about ribavirin (Rebetol) treatment.
• D. Explain that the infection will resolve over a few months.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action by the nurse is to schedule the patient for HCV genotype testing. Genotyping of HCV is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment regimen and guiding therapy decisions. Most patients with acute HCV infection progress to the chronic stage, so it is incorrect to inform the patient that the infection will resolve in a few months. There is no vaccine or immune globulin available for HCV, and ribavirin (Rebetol) is typically used for chronic HCV infection. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize genotyping to assist in treatment planning.

2. Which question should the nurse ask the parents of a child suspected of having glomerulonephritis?

• A. Did your child fall off a bike onto the handlebars?
• B. Has the child had persistent nausea and vomiting?
• C. Has the child been itching or had a rash anytime in the last week?
• D. Has the child had a sore throat or a throat infection in the last few weeks?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Glomerulonephritis refers to a group of kidney disorders characterized by inflammatory injury in the glomerulus. Group A ?-hemolytic streptococcal infection is a common cause of glomerulonephritis. Children with glomerulonephritis often develop symptoms after a throat infection caused by streptococcal bacteria. Therefore, asking about a sore throat or throat infection in the last few weeks is crucial to assess the possible link to glomerulonephritis. Choices A, B, and C are not directly associated with the pathophysiology of glomerulonephritis. Asking about falling off a bike, nausea and vomiting, or itching and rash do not provide relevant information for assessing glomerulonephritis in this context.

3. You are caring for Thomas N., a 77-year-old man with edema in his legs and a fluid restriction. You have been assigned to weigh him daily. Based on these symptoms and the care he is receiving, what disorder is he most likely affected by?

• A. Diabetes
• B. Dementia
• C. Congestive heart failure
• D. Contiguous heart disease

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Thomas N.'s symptoms of edema in his legs and fluid restriction point towards congestive heart failure (CHF) rather than dementia or diabetes. In CHF, patients often present with dependent edema in their legs due to excessive blood volume, leading to fluid intake restrictions and a low-salt diet. Daily weight monitoring is crucial in CHF to assess fluid retention or loss. Diabetes primarily affects blood sugar levels, dementia is a cognitive disorder, and 'Contiguous heart disease' is not a recognized medical term, making choices A, B, and D incorrect in this scenario.

4. Which response would best assist the chemically impaired client in dealing with issues of guilt?

• A. Addiction usually causes people to feel guilty. Don't worry, it is a typical response due to your drinking behavior.
• B. What have you done that you feel most guilty about and what steps can you begin to take to help you lessen this guilt?
• C. Don't focus on your guilty feelings. These feelings will only lead you to drinking and taking drugs.
• D. You've caused a great deal of pain to your family and close friends, so it will take time to undo all the things you've done.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct response is, 'What have you done that you feel most guilty about and what steps can you begin to take to help you lessen this guilt?' This response encourages the client to reflect on their actions, identify sources of guilt, and develop a plan to address and reduce these feelings constructively. Choice A is incorrect as it dismisses the client's guilt as typical, potentially invalidating their emotions. Choice C is incorrect as it suggests avoiding guilty feelings by turning to substance use, which is counterproductive. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on the negative consequences of the client's actions without offering a constructive way to address and alleviate guilt.

5. The nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU who has had a spinal cord injury. She observes that his last blood pressure was 100/55, and his pulse is 48. These have both trended downwards from the baseline. What should the nurse expect to be the next course of action ordered by the physician?

• A. Assess the patient for decreased level of consciousness
• B. Administer Normal Saline
• C. Insert an NG Tube
• D. Connect and read an EKG

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The patient is entering neurogenic shock due to the spinal cord injury, leading to hypotension and bradycardia. Administering Normal Saline is essential to replace fluid volume, which can help in treating the hypotension and bradycardia symptomatically. This intervention aims to stabilize the patient's cardiovascular status. Assessing for decreased level of consciousness (Choice A) may be important but addressing the hemodynamic instability takes precedence. Inserting an NG Tube (Choice C) and connecting and reading an EKG (Choice D) are not the immediate actions required for the presenting symptoms of hypotension and bradycardia.

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