Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assigned to care for a deaf client. During her lunch hour, she visits the hospital library and reads more about deaf culture in order to better provide appropriate care for her client. This action is an example of:

• A. Cultural knowledge
• B. Cultural noise
• C. Cultural diversity
• D. Cultural divide

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Cultural knowledge involves seeking information and educating oneself about different cultural groups. In this scenario, the nurse is demonstrating cultural knowledge by learning more about deaf culture to improve the care provided to the deaf client. This proactive approach helps in understanding the client's background, beliefs, and communication preferences, leading to better outcomes. 'Cultural noise' and 'Cultural divide' are incorrect as they do not reflect the nurse's positive action of seeking knowledge to enhance care. 'Cultural diversity' is also incorrect as it does not accurately describe the nurse's specific action of acquiring knowledge about a particular culture.

2. Ruth is a 72-year-old patient who has been upset and crying all morning. When asked why she is upset, she turns toward the wall in silence. What collaborative process may be helpful in caring for this patient?

• A. Speak with the patient care technician
• B. Call the chaplain
• C. Call the social worker
• D. Call the patient's husband

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Collaborating with the patient care technician is an appropriate approach in this scenario. Patient care technicians and nurses' aides often provide direct care to patients, developing a closer relationship with them. Patients may feel more comfortable sharing their feelings with these caregivers compared to other healthcare professionals. In this situation, Ruth's distress appears more emotional than spiritual, making it more suitable to speak with someone directly involved in her care. Calling the chaplain (Choice B) might not directly address Ruth's immediate emotional needs as it could focus more on spiritual support. Involving the social worker (Choice C) could help address underlying emotional or social issues, but speaking with the patient care technician is a more direct and immediate step to assess and provide initial support. Calling the patient's husband (Choice D) may not address Ruth's immediate emotional distress and may not be appropriate without understanding the root cause of her upset.

3. Working in a clinic located in a community with many Hispanics, what strategy could the nurse implement to decrease health care disparities for Hispanic patients?

• A. Improve public transportation to the clinic.
• B. Update equipment and supplies at the clinic.
• C. Obtain low-cost medications for clinic patients.
• D. Teach clinic staff about Hispanic health beliefs.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Health care disparities are primarily rooted in stereotyping, biases, and prejudice among healthcare providers. By educating clinic staff about Hispanic health beliefs, the nurse can help combat these issues, leading to improved cultural competency and patient care. Understanding the cultural context of Hispanic patients can enhance communication, trust, and treatment adherence. Improving public transportation, updating equipment, and obtaining low-cost medications are important aspects of healthcare delivery but do not directly address the underlying causes of health disparities experienced by Hispanic patients.

4. A client on lithium has diarrhea and vomiting. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Recognize this as a drug interaction
• B. Give the client Cogentin
• C. Reassure the client that these are common side effects of lithium therapy
• D. Hold the next dose and obtain an order for a stat serum lithium level

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Diarrhea and vomiting are manifestations of lithium toxicity. The priority action for the nurse is to hold the next dose of lithium and obtain an order for a stat serum lithium level to confirm toxicity. This ensures patient safety and prevents further harm. Recognizing it as a drug interaction is not the first step in this scenario. Cogentin is used to manage extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) associated with antipsychotics, not lithium toxicity. Reassuring the client about these symptoms as common side effects of lithium therapy is inappropriate as they indicate a more serious issue than typical side effects like hand tremors, nausea, polyuria, and polydipsia.

5. A client returns from surgery after having a colon resection. The nurse is performing an assessment and notes the wound edges have separated. This condition is called:

• A. Evisceration
• B. Hematoma
• C. Dehiscence
• D. Granulation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Wound dehiscence occurs when the edges of a wound pull apart. The condition may occur following a surgical procedure if the sutures were deficient. Wound dehiscence may also occur following a wound infection or in cases where a client significantly stretches or overuses the associated tissues. Evisceration refers to the protrusion of internal organs through an open wound. Hematoma is a localized collection of blood outside the blood vessels. Granulation is the formation of new connective tissue and tiny blood vessels on the surface of a wound during the healing process.

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