Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is using the Glasgow Coma Scale to perform a neurologic assessment. A comatose client winces and pulls away from a painful stimulus. Which action should the nurse take next?

• A. Document that the client responds to the painful stimulus.
• B. Observe the client's response to verbal stimulation.
• C. Place the client on seizure precautions for 24 hours.
• D. Report decorticate posturing to the health care provider.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take next is to document that the client responds to the painful stimulus. In this scenario, the client has shown a purposeful response to pain by wincing and pulling away, which should be accurately documented. Verbal stimulation assessment typically follows the assessment of responses to painful stimuli. Placing the client on seizure precautions is not warranted based solely on the observed response to a painful stimulus. Decorticate posturing, which involves abnormal flexion movements, is not demonstrated by the client in this case, making it unnecessary to report to the provider.

2. Which response would the nurse make at lunchtime to a client who is sitting alone with the head slightly tilted as if listening to something?

• A. "I know you're busy, but it's lunchtime."
• B. "Are the voices bothering you again?"
• C. "Get going; you don't want to miss lunchtime."
• D. "It's lunchtime; I'll walk with you to the dining room."

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The statement, "It's lunchtime; I'll walk with you to the dining room," demonstrates setting limits and providing support. Hallucinations can be frightening, and the nurse's presence offers support and reality without focusing on the hallucination directly. Choice A, "I know you're busy, but it's lunchtime," does not recognize the client's need for support and direction. Choice B, "Are the voices bothering you again?", makes a judgment without sufficient evidence and overly focuses on the hallucination, failing to address the client's need for support and direction. Choice C, "Get going; you don't want to miss lunchtime," does not acknowledge the client's need for reality, support, and direction, and may come across as threatening.

3. At a senior citizens meeting, a healthcare professional talks with a client who has Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which statement by the client during the conversation is most predictive of a potential for impaired skin integrity?

• A. ''I give myself insulin injections in my thighs.''
• B. ''Sometimes when I put my shoes on, I don't know where my toes are.''
• C. ''Here are my glucose readings that I noted on my calendar.''
• D. ''If I bathe more than once a week, my skin feels too dry.''

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is when the client states, ''Sometimes when I put my shoes on, I don't know where my toes are.'' This statement indicates peripheral neuropathy, which can lead to a lack of sensation in the lower extremities. When clients are unable to feel pressure or pain in their feet, they are at a high risk for skin impairment, such as cuts, wounds, or ulcers. Option A is not directly related to impaired skin integrity, as self-administering insulin in the thighs does not pose a direct risk to skin integrity. Option C shows good glucose monitoring, which is important but does not directly indicate impaired skin integrity. Option D suggests dry skin due to infrequent bathing, which is more related to general skin care and not as predictive of impaired skin integrity as the statement in Option B.

4. Which of the following actions is most appropriate when working with a client who is extremely angry?

• A. Place a light hand on the client's shoulder to convey understanding
• B. Maintain close proximity to build trust
• C. Temporarily change the subject if the client's behavior is escalating
• D. Close the door to the room to ensure privacy

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When dealing with an angry client, it is crucial to employ techniques that can help de-escalate the situation or ensure safety while providing care. If the client's behavior is escalating or they are fixating on a particular topic that is fueling their anger, it is advisable to temporarily change the subject. This technique can serve as a distraction from the initial trigger, allowing the client to refocus their thoughts and emotions. Placing a hand on the client's shoulder may not be well-received as physical touch can escalate the situation. Maintaining close proximity might be perceived as confrontational rather than building trust. Closing the door for privacy is important but may not directly address the client's anger or help in de-escalation.

5. After giving birth to her third child, a client tearfully says to the nurse, 'How much more can I give of myself?' Which principle would the nurse consider in the care of any new mother?

• A. It is easier to adjust to the first child than to later ones.
• B. Feeling anger and resentment toward a child is pathological.
• C. Some parents experience feelings of being overwhelmed by multiple children.
• D. Parents usually have inborn feelings of love and acceptance of their children.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A parent's feeling of being overwhelmed by multiple children is a normal response. It is vital to help parents realize this as a means of easing feelings of guilt and shame. The first child causes the greatest amount of adjustment in one's life. It is common for parents to feel anger and resentment toward their children at times due to the challenges of parenting. Stating that parents usually have inborn feelings of love and acceptance of their children is a false generalization and may not hold true for everyone. Therefore, the most appropriate principle for the nurse to consider in this situation is that some parents may experience feelings of being overwhelmed by multiple children.

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