Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is preparing to administer 10 mL of liquid potassium chloride through a feeding tube, followed by 10 mL of liquid acetaminophen. Which action should the nurse include in this procedure?

• A. Dilute each of the medications with sterile water prior to administration.
• B. Mix the medications in one syringe before opening the feeding tube.
• C. Administer water between the doses of the two liquid medications.
• D. Withdraw any fluid from the tube before instilling each medication.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Water should be instilled into the feeding tube between administering the two medications to maintain the patency of the feeding tube and ensure that the total dose of medication enters the stomach and does not remain in the tube. These liquid medications do not need to be diluted when administered via a feeding tube. Mixing the medications in one syringe can lead to interactions or alterations in the medications' properties. Withdrawing any fluid from the tube before instilling each medication can cause inaccurate dosing and incomplete administration. Therefore, the correct action is to administer water between the doses of the two liquid medications to ensure proper delivery and avoid any complications.

2. Which communication technique is a part of therapeutic communication?

• A. Asking for explanations
• B. Showing sympathy to the client
• C. Asking personal questions of the client
• D. Providing relevant information to the client

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is providing relevant information to the client. In therapeutic communication, it is essential to provide clients with all pertinent information to help them understand their health status and what to expect. This empowers clients and promotes trust in the nurse-client relationship. Asking for explanations, showing sympathy, and asking personal questions are examples of nontherapeutic communication techniques. Asking personal questions can intrude on the client's privacy and may not be relevant to their care. Showing sympathy, while well-intentioned, may come across as pity rather than true empathy. Asking for explanations can sometimes put clients on the defensive rather than fostering a collaborative dialogue.

3. The healthcare provider is aware that malnutrition is a common problem among clients served by a community health clinic for the homeless. Which laboratory value is the most reliable indicator of chronic protein malnutrition?

• A. Low serum albumin level
• B. Low serum transferrin level
• C. High hemoglobin level
• D. High cholesterol level

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Long-term protein deficiency significantly lowers serum albumin levels. Albumin, derived from protein breakdown, is produced by the liver when adequate amino acids are available. Due to its long half-life, acute protein loss minimally affects serum albumin levels. In contrast, serum transferrin, with a shorter half-life of 8 to 10 days, decreases with acute protein deficiency and is not a reliable indicator of chronic protein malnutrition. Elevated hemoglobin levels may occur in conditions like dehydration or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, making it an unreliable indicator of chronic protein malnutrition. High cholesterol levels are not directly linked to protein malnutrition and do not serve as a reliable indicator. Therefore, the most reliable indicator of chronic protein malnutrition among the options provided is a low serum albumin level.

4. A 28-year-old woman is recovering from her third consecutive spontaneous abortion in 2 years. Which is the most therapeutic nursing intervention for this client at her follow-up appointment?

• A. Focusing on the client's physical needs
• B. Encouraging the client to verbalize her feelings about the loss
• C. Reminding the client that she will be able to become pregnant again
• D. Encouraging the client to think of herself, her husband, and their future

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most therapeutic nursing intervention for a client recovering from multiple spontaneous abortions is to encourage the client to verbalize her feelings about the loss. This allows the client to express and process her emotions, facilitating the grieving process and emotional healing. Focusing solely on the client's physical needs, as in choice A, overlooks the importance of addressing the emotional aspect of the client's experience. Choice C, reminding the client that she will be able to become pregnant again, fails to acknowledge the current loss and may minimize the client's feelings of grief. Choice D, encouraging the client to think of herself, her husband, and their future, does not directly address the client's immediate emotional needs related to the recent loss. Therefore, choice B is the most appropriate intervention to support the client in coping with her emotional distress.

5. Which response would the nurse provide to a client in labor at 32 weeks' gestation who tells the nurse that she and her husband are very concerned because the baby will be born 2 months early?

• A. ''You should be concerned. I feel for you.''
• B. 'If you're concerned, let's talk about it.''
• C. ''Try not to worry about it; just concentrate on your labor.''
• D. 'Don't worry; the care of preterm babies has greatly improved.''

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: ''If you're concerned, let's talk about it.'' Offering to talk with the client encourages her to verbalize concerns, serving as an outlet for tension. The nurse's first step should be to listen to the client's concerns and emotions before providing more specific information. Choice A is incorrect as telling the client she should be concerned reinforces fears and conveys sympathy rather than empathy. Choice C is incorrect because telling the client not to worry and just concentrate on labor denies the client's feelings and cuts off communication. Choice D is incorrect as telling the client not to worry because care has improved denies the client's feelings and provides false reassurance.

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