Nursing Elites

1. A 26-year-old female with type 1 diabetes develops a sore throat and runny nose after caring for her sick toddler. The patient calls the clinic for advice about her symptoms and a blood glucose level of 210 mg/dL despite taking her usual glargine (Lantus) and lispro (Humalog) insulin. The nurse advises the patient to

• A. use only the lispro insulin until the symptoms are resolved
• B. limit calorie intake until the glucose is less than 120 mg/dL
• C. monitor blood glucose every 4 hours and notify the clinic if it continues to rise
• D. decrease carbohydrate intake until glycosylated hemoglobin is less than 7%

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should advise the patient to monitor her blood glucose every 4 hours and notify the clinic if it continues to rise. This is important because the patient is experiencing symptoms of an illness (sore throat and runny nose) that can lead to fluctuations in blood glucose levels. By monitoring frequently, any significant rise in blood glucose can be detected early, enabling prompt intervention. Choice A is incorrect because abruptly stopping glargine (Lantus) insulin can lead to uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Choice B is incorrect as limiting calorie intake is not the appropriate immediate action for managing high blood glucose levels. Choice D is also incorrect as adjusting carbohydrate intake based on glycosylated hemoglobin levels is not the immediate action needed in this acute situation.

2. A 38-year-old patient who has type 1 diabetes plans to swim laps daily at 1:00 PM. The clinic nurse will plan to teach the patient to

• A. check glucose levels before, during, and after swimming.
• B. delay eating the noon meal until after swimming.
• C. increase the morning dose of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin.
• D. time the morning insulin injection so that the peak occurs while swimming.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to teach the patient to check glucose levels before, during, and after swimming. This is important to monitor blood sugar levels and make adjustments as needed to prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Delaying eating the noon meal until after swimming (Choice B) is not advisable as the patient needs proper nutrition both before and after exercise. Increasing the morning dose of NPH insulin (Choice C) should not be done without proper medical advice as it can lead to hypoglycemia. Timing the morning insulin injection to coincide with swimming (Choice D) is risky as the peak effect of insulin may lead to hypoglycemia during swimming.

3. A nurse manager has two out of six staff nurses call in sick for one shift. Because of reduced availability of staff, the manager decides to manage the unit with the three remaining nurses, which keeps the unit at minimal staffing standards. What type of decision-making strategy would this be?

• A. Satisficing
• B. Routine
• C. Adaptive
• D. Rationalizing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Satisficing. Satisficing is a decision-making strategy where the person chooses an alternative that is good enough given the circumstances. In this scenario, the nurse manager is making a satisfactory decision by managing the unit with the three remaining nurses to meet minimal staffing standards despite the reduced availability of staff. Choice B, Routine, does not apply as the decision made in the scenario is not part of a regular or standard procedure. Choice C, Adaptive, is not the best fit as the decision is more about making do with the available resources rather than adapting to a new situation. Choice D, Rationalizing, does not align with the scenario as it refers to justifying decisions rather than making a practical choice under constraints.

4. Healthcare systems primarily have functional structures. Which of the following would be an example of this?

• A. Open communication exists between Physical Therapy and Nursing.
• B. Medicine has authority over nursing.
• C. Laboratory services have little authority.
• D. All nursing tasks fall under nursing service.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. In functional structures, employees are grouped in departments by specialty, with similar tasks being performed by the same group. This means that in a healthcare system with a functional structure, all nursing tasks would fall under the nursing service. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because open communication between departments, one department having authority over another, or the level of authority of a particular department do not necessarily represent a functional structure.

5. What innate tendency influences staff to act in a certain way?

• A. Instinct
• B. Appreciation
• C. Control
• D. Esteem

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Instinct. Instinct theory suggests that behaviors are influenced by inherited or innate tendencies, guiding individuals to act in specific ways without conscious reasoning. In the context of staff behavior, instinct can play a significant role in shaping their actions and responses. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Appreciation, control, and esteem are external factors that may influence staff behavior, but in this context, the question specifically asks for an innate tendency that influences staff to act in a certain way, which aligns more closely with instinctive tendencies rather than external factors like appreciation, control, or esteem.

Similar Questions