Nursing Elites

1. A 16-year-old female student with a history of asthma controlled with both an oral antihistamine and an albuterol (ProAir) metered-dose inhaler (MDI) comes to the school nurse. The student complains that she cannot sleep at night, feels shaky, and her heart feels like it is 'beating a mile a minute.' Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. When she last took the antihistamine.
• B. When her last asthma attack occurred.
• C. Duration of most asthma attacks.
• D. How often the MDI is used daily.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most crucial information for the nurse to obtain in this scenario is how often the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is used daily. This information will help assess if the symptoms of insomnia, shakiness, and palpitations are potentially related to overuse of the inhaler, which can cause side effects such as tremors and palpitations. Monitoring the frequency of MDI usage is essential in managing asthma and ensuring appropriate medication administration.

2. The healthcare provider is assessing an infant with diarrhea and lethargy. Which finding should the provider identify that is consistent with early dehydration?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Dry mucous membranes
• D. Decreased skin turgor

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tachycardia is a common early sign of dehydration in infants. It is important for healthcare providers to be vigilant in monitoring infants with these symptoms, as prompt intervention is crucial to prevent further complications.

3. A mother brings her 3-week-old infant to the clinic because the baby vomits after eating and always seems hungry. Further assessment indicates that the infant's vomiting is projectile, and the child seems listless. Which additional assessment finding indicates the possibility of a life-threatening complication?

• A. Irregular palpable pulse
• B. Hyperactive bowel sounds
• C. Underweight for age
• D. Crying without tears

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Crying without tears is a sign of severe dehydration, which is a potentially life-threatening complication in infants with projectile vomiting. Dehydration can rapidly progress in infants, leading to serious consequences if not promptly addressed. The combination of projectile vomiting, listlessness, and absence of tears when crying should raise concerns about severe dehydration and the need for urgent intervention to prevent further complications.

4. What should the nurse do first for a 6-year-old with asthma showing a prolonged expiratory phase, wheezing, and 35% of personal best peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR)?

• A. Administer a prescribed bronchodilator.
• B. Encourage the child to cough and take deep breaths.
• C. Report the findings to the healthcare provider.
• D. Identify the triggers that precipitated this attack.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering a bronchodilator is the priority action in managing an acute asthma exacerbation in a child. Bronchodilators help to relax the muscles around the airways, opening them up and improving breathing. This intervention aims to address the immediate breathing difficulty and should be done promptly to provide relief for the child. Encouraging coughing and deep breaths (choice B) may worsen the child's condition by further constricting the airways. Reporting findings to the healthcare provider (choice C) is important but not the immediate priority in this acute situation. Identifying triggers (choice D) is crucial for long-term asthma management but is not the first step when managing an acute exacerbation.

5. A 15-year-old client with type 1 diabetes presents to the clinic for a routine follow-up. The nurse notes that the client’s hemoglobin A1c is 10%. What should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Increase the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose.
• B. Discuss dietary changes to reduce carbohydrate intake.
• C. Review the client’s insulin administration technique.
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A hemoglobin A1c of 10% indicates poor blood glucose control, reflecting an average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. To improve control, the plan of care should be comprehensive. Increasing the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose helps track changes in blood sugar levels. Discussing dietary changes to reduce carbohydrate intake can aid in better blood sugar management. Reviewing the client’s insulin administration technique ensures proper medication dosing. Therefore, all the options (increasing monitoring, discussing dietary changes, and reviewing insulin administration) are essential components of the plan of care to address the client's poor blood glucose control. The correct answer is D because all these interventions are crucial for managing the client's condition effectively. Choices A, B, and C individually address different aspects of diabetes management and are all necessary in this scenario.

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