Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to change a client's dressing for a burn wound on his foot. Which of the following interventions is appropriate for this process?

• A. Wash the wound with cleanser, rinse, and pat dry
• B. Bind the wound tightly, secure with tape, and elevate the foot
• C. Contact the physician after the dressing change is complete
• D. Provide analgesics for the client after the procedure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When changing the dressing for a burn wound, it is essential to follow appropriate interventions to prevent infection, reduce pain, and support healing. In this scenario, after removing the old dressing, it is crucial to wash the wound gently with a suitable cleanser, rinse the area thoroughly, and then pat it dry. This process helps in maintaining cleanliness, reducing the risk of infection, and providing a conducive environment for healing. Binding the wound tightly (Choice B) can impede circulation and delay healing. Contacting the physician after the dressing change (Choice C) may be necessary in specific situations but is not a standard step in routine dressing changes. Providing analgesics after the procedure (Choice D) is important for pain management but is not directly related to the dressing change itself.

2. The acronym FAST is used to help responders remember the steps to recognizing which of the following conditions?

• A. Onset of labor in a pregnant woman
• B. Stroke
• C. Heart attack
• D. Migraine

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Stroke. The acronym FAST is used to help recognize the signs of a stroke. The letters stand for Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. This mnemonic helps in identifying facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties, and the importance of time in seeking emergency care. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the FAST acronym specifically pertains to stroke recognition, not the onset of labor, heart attacks, or migraines.

3. Which of the following vital signs can be expected in a child that is afebrile?

• A. Rectal Temp of 100.9 degrees F.
• B. Oral Temp of 38 degrees C.
• C. Axillary Temp of 98.6 degrees F.
• D. All of the above are incorrect.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is the axillary temperature of 98.6 degrees F. Afebrile means without a fever, and an axillary temperature, which is taken in the armpit, is considered normal at 98.6 degrees F. Choice A is incorrect as a rectal temperature of 100.9 degrees F indicates a fever. Choice B is incorrect as an oral temperature of 38 degrees C is also indicative of a fever. Choice D is incorrect as not all options are wrong; only choices A and B are incorrect for an afebrile child.

4. During an assessment, a nurse asks a patient, "If you had fever and vomiting for 3 days, what would you do?"? Which aspect of the mental status examination is the nurse assessing?

• A. Behavior
• B. Cognition
• C. Affect and mood
• D. Perceptual disturbances

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse is assessing cognition in this scenario. Cognition involves evaluating a patient's judgment and decision-making abilities. By asking the patient what they would do in a specific situation, the nurse aims to determine the patient's cognitive function. A correct response indicating intact cognition would involve a decision like 'Call my doctor.' If the patient suggests inappropriate actions like 'I would stop eating' or 'I would just wait and see what happened,' it would suggest impaired judgment. The other options, behavior, affect and mood, and perceptual disturbances, refer to different aspects of the mental status examination and are not directly assessed through this question.

5. The nurse is taking an initial blood pressure reading on a 72-year-old patient with documented hypertension. How should the nurse proceed?

• A. Cuff should be placed on the patient's arm and inflated 30 mm Hg above the point at which the palpated pulse disappears.
• B. Cuff should be inflated to 200 mm Hg in an attempt to obtain the most accurate systolic reading.
• C. Cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the patient's pulse rate.
• D. After confirming the patient's previous blood pressure readings, the cuff should be inflated 30 mm Hg above the highest systolic reading recorded.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When measuring blood pressure, it's important to account for the possibility of an auscultatory gap, which occurs in about 5% of individuals, particularly those with hypertension due to a noncompliant arterial system. To detect an auscultatory gap, the cuff should be inflated 20 to 30 mm Hg beyond the point at which the palpated pulse disappears. This ensures an accurate measurement of blood pressure by overcoming the potential gap in sounds. Choice A is correct as it follows this guideline. Choices B and C are incorrect because inflating the cuff to 200 mm Hg or above the patient's pulse rate does not address the specific issue of an auscultatory gap. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on the patient's previous readings rather than the current measurement technique needed to detect an auscultatory gap.

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