Nursing Elites

1. When assessing a client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the nurse should expect which of the following findings?

• A. mental confusion
• B. muscular weakness
• C. sensory loss
• D. emotional liability

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Clients with ALS typically present with progressive muscular weakness and wasting as a hallmark feature of the disease. This weakness affects voluntary muscles, leading to challenges in mobility and daily activities. Sensory loss is not a characteristic feature of ALS, and individuals usually maintain their mental clarity without experiencing mental confusion. Emotional liability, characterized by sudden, uncontrolled changes in emotions, is not a common finding in ALS. While individuals may experience periods of grief due to the progressive nature of the disease, emotional liability is not a usual manifestation. Therefore, the correct finding to expect when assessing a client with ALS is muscular weakness.

2. Which of the following statements indicates adequate dietary understanding in a client with constipation?

• A. "I should decrease my intake of fluids."?
• B. "I should decrease my level of activity."?
• C. "I should increase my intake of apples."?
• D. "I should increase my intake of milk."?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is, "I should increase my intake of apples."? This statement indicates adequate dietary understanding in a client with constipation because apples are a good source of fiber, which helps alleviate constipation. Adequate fiber intake is essential for promoting bowel regularity. Choices A and B are incorrect as decreasing fluids and activity level can worsen constipation. Insufficient fluid intake can lead to hard stools, exacerbating constipation. Decreasing activity can also slow down bowel movements. Choice D is incorrect because milk is not a high-fiber food and may not effectively address constipation. While milk can have a mild laxative effect on some individuals, it is not a primary solution for constipation, especially when compared to high-fiber foods like apples.

3. When administering NSAID adjunctive therapy to an elderly client with cancer, the nurse must monitor:

• A. BUN and creatinine.
• B. creatinine and calcium.
• C. Hgb and Hct.
• D. BUN and CFT.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When an elderly client with cancer is receiving NSAID therapy, monitoring BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine levels is crucial. NSAIDs can cause renal toxicity, especially in the elderly. BUN and creatinine levels help assess renal function and detect early signs of renal impairment. Monitoring creatinine alone (Choice B) is not sufficient as BUN provides complementary information about renal function. Monitoring hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) (Choice C) is important for assessing anemia but not specific to NSAID therapy in the elderly. CFT (Choice D) is not a standard abbreviation in this context, and monitoring coagulation function is not directly related to NSAID therapy in this scenario.

4. A nurse witnesses a client sign the consent form for surgery with the surgeon. As the surgeon leaves, the client starts to speak and then stops. The nurse asks if the client has further questions, and he says, "I don't want to bother the surgeon."? The nurse should ____.

• A. acknowledge the client's wish not to bother the surgeon and tell the client to let you know if they change their mind
• B. acknowledge the client's wish not to bother the surgeon and answer all of their questions, as appropriate
• C. go get the surgeon to answer all of the client's questions
• D. answer any questions as appropriate as well as have the surgeon come back to answer any questions if needed

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should prioritize the client's understanding and comfort. While acknowledging the client's wish not to bother the surgeon is important, it is equally crucial to ensure that the client's questions are answered appropriately and thoroughly. Choice A is correct as it respects the client's initial sentiment and offers the client the opportunity to ask questions later if needed. Choice B is incorrect as it suggests answering all questions immediately, without considering the client's feelings. Choice C is incorrect as it bypasses the nurse's role in addressing the client's concerns. Choice D, the correct answer, balances respecting the client's wish and ensuring that all questions are appropriately addressed, even if it involves the surgeon returning.

5. Which of these clients should the LPN/LVN see first?

• A. a client with a newly placed NG tube who is complaining of pain around the face and a plugged nose
• B. a post-op prostatectomy client who complains of bladder spasms and blood in his foley bag
• C. a client in an arm cast who is 2 days post-op and reports feelings of numbness and tingling in her affected arm
• D. a client newly diagnosed with Hepatitis A who reports stomach pain and itchy skin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Numbness and tingling hours or days after a cast is applied may indicate compartment syndrome and should be reported to a medical provider right away. This is a potential emergency situation that requires immediate attention to prevent complications. The other options present expected or typical symptoms related to their diagnosis, which do not require immediate intervention. Complaints related to a newly placed NG tube such as pain around the face and a plugged nose may require assessment and intervention but are not as urgent as potential compartment syndrome. Bladder spasms and blood in the foley bag post-prostatectomy are common postoperative issues that can be addressed after the client in the arm cast with potential compartment syndrome is seen. Stomach pain and itchy skin in a client with Hepatitis A are common symptoms of the condition and do not indicate an emergency situation.

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