Nursing Elites

1. A 4-month-old child is at the clinic for a well-baby checkup and immunizations. Which of these actions is most appropriate when the nurse is assessing an infant's vital signs?

• A. The infant's radial pulse should be palpated, and the nurse should notice any fluctuations resulting from activity or exercise.
• B. The nurse should auscultate an apical rate for 1 minute and then assess for any normal irregularities, such as sinus dysrhythmia.
• C. The infant's blood pressure should be assessed by using a stethoscope with a large diaphragm piece to hear the soft muffled Korotkoff sounds.
• D. The infant's chest should be observed and the respiratory rate counted for 1 minute; the respiratory pattern may vary significantly.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse auscultates an apical rate, not a radial pulse, with infants and toddlers. The pulse should be counted by listening to the heart for 1 full minute to account for normal irregularities, such as sinus dysrhythmia. Children younger than 3 years of age have such small arm vessels; consequently, hearing Korotkoff sounds with a stethoscope is difficult. The nurse should use either an electronic blood pressure device that uses oscillometry or a Doppler ultrasound device to amplify the sounds. An infant's respiratory rate should be assessed by observing the infant's abdomen, not chest, because an infant's respirations are normally more diaphragmatic than thoracic. The nurse should auscultate an apical heart rate, not palpate a radial pulse, with infants and toddlers.

2. Which of the following is one of the three smallest bones in the body?

• A. Vomer
• B. Distal phalanx of the small toe
• C. Stapes
• D. Coccyx

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The stapes, along with the malleus and incus, are the three smallest bones in the human body. These bones are located in the inner ear and play a crucial role in hearing. The vomer is a bone in the nasal cavity and is not one of the smallest bones. The distal phalanx of the small toe is relatively larger and not among the smallest bones. The coccyx, also known as the tailbone, is not one of the smallest bones in the body.

3. When a nurse's hand comes in contact with a client's blood after providing wound care, what is the next action the nurse should take?

• A. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to disinfect the hands
• B. Wash hands with soap and water using appropriate technique
• C. Notify the appropriate personnel about the exposure to client's blood
• D. Sample some of the client's blood to determine the presence of diseases

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a nurse's hand comes in contact with a client's blood, it is important to follow appropriate infection control measures. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not sufficient in this scenario as the blood is a visible contaminant. The best practice is to wash hands with soap and water using appropriate technique to ensure thorough cleansing and removal of any potential pathogens. Notifying the appropriate personnel about the exposure is important for documentation and further evaluation, but immediate hand hygiene is crucial. Sampling the client's blood for disease determination is not within the nurse's scope of practice and is unnecessary in this situation.

4. The Sinoatrial Node (SA) is located within which of the following heart structures?

• A. Mitral Valve
• B. Right Ventricle
• C. Right Atrium
• D. Left Atrium

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The Sinoatrial (SA) Node, often called the heart's natural pacemaker, is situated within the upper wall of the Right Atrium. It initiates the electrical impulses that regulate the heartbeat. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the SA node is not located in the Mitral Valve, Right Ventricle, or Left Atrium. It is specifically positioned in the Right Atrium to coordinate the heart's rhythm and timing.

5. Which of the following situations indicates the need to file an incident report?

• A. The neon sign directing parking for visitors has burned out
• B. A nurse must send a syringe pump to maintenance for annual service
• C. A client's blood pressure dropped to 90/55 after receiving a dose of morphine
• D. A client's spouse becomes angry and is asked to leave the premises

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An incident report is necessary for documenting unexpected events that occur in a healthcare setting. Situations that warrant filing an incident report include client accidents, medication errors, security problems, or disruptive behaviors that involve clients, families, or visitors. In this scenario, when a client's spouse displays disruptive behavior and is asked to leave the premises, it is essential to document this incident to ensure a record of the event and its resolution. Choices A, B, and C do not involve disruptive behavior or safety concerns that would require an incident report to be filed.

Similar Questions