Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A diabetic patient who has reported burning foot pain at night receives a new prescription. Which information should the nurse teach the patient about amitriptyline (Elavil)?

• A. Amitriptyline decreases the depression caused by your foot pain.
• B. Amitriptyline helps prevent transmission of pain impulses to the brain.
• C. Amitriptyline corrects some of the blood vessel changes that cause pain.
• D. Amitriptyline improves sleep and reduces awareness of nighttime pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which helps in reducing the transmission of pain impulses to the brain. Choice A is incorrect because amitriptyline primarily works on pain transmission rather than directly on depression. Choice C is inaccurate as amitriptyline's mechanism of action is not related to correcting blood vessel changes. Choice D is partially true as amitriptyline can improve sleep, but the primary mechanism related to pain relief is by preventing pain impulses from reaching the brain.

3. According to Maslow's theory, which level of needs must be met first?

• A. Self-actualization needs
• B. Esteem needs
• C. Safety needs
• D. Physiological needs

Correct answer: D

Rationale: According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, physiological needs are at the lowest level and must be satisfied first before an individual can progress to fulfilling higher-level needs. Physiological needs include basic requirements for survival such as food, water, shelter, and sleep. Esteem needs, safety needs, and self-actualization needs are higher-level needs that can only be addressed once physiological needs are adequately met. Therefore, the correct answer is D, physiological needs.

4. 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.

5. Which of the following is the preferable alternative to firing an employee?

• A. Voluntary resignation
• B. Training
• C. Confrontation
• D. Coaching

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The preferable alternative to firing an employee is voluntary resignation. When an employee voluntarily resigns, it allows them to leave on their terms, maintaining their dignity and possibly avoiding negative consequences associated with being fired. Training, confrontation, and coaching are not alternatives to firing but rather methods that can be used to address performance or behavior issues before resorting to termination.

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