Nursing Elites

1. A 9-year-old boy is told that he must stay in the hospital for at least 2 weeks. The nurse finds him crying and unwilling to talk. What is the priority nursing care at this time?

• A. Assuring him that his illness is not permanent
• B. Distracting him to prevent further embarrassment
• C. Arranging for him to receive tutoring immediately
• D. Providing privacy to allow him to express his feelings

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The priority nursing care for a 9-year-old child who is crying and unwilling to talk in the hospital is to provide privacy to allow him to express his feelings. Children need an opportunity to express their emotions in private, and talking about their feelings can be therapeutic. Assurances about the illness not being permanent may not be the child's primary concern at this moment. Distracting the child could give the impression that crying is wrong. Arranging tutoring does not address the immediate emotional needs of the child.

2. One week after being told that she has terminal cancer with a life expectancy of 3 weeks, a female client tells the nurse, 'I think I will plan a big party for all my friends.' How should the nurse respond?

• A. 'You may not have enough energy before long to hold a big party.'
• B. 'Do you mean to say that you want to plan your funeral and wake?'
• C. 'Planning a party and thinking about all your friends sounds like fun.'
• D. 'You should be thinking about spending your last days with your family.'

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Setting goals that bring pleasure is appropriate and should be encouraged by the nurse as long as the nurse does not perpetuate a client's denial. Option A is a negative response, implying that the client should not plan a party, which is not supportive. Option B is presumptive and may not reflect the client's true intentions. The correct response (Option C) acknowledges the client's positive plans and encourages her to enjoy her time with friends. Option D, while family is important, does not consider the client's wishes and choices, which should be respected and supported in this situation.

3. Which term describes what an adolescent client is experiencing when she says to the nurse who has been caring for her, 'You're just like my mother; I hate you'?

• A. Insight
• B. Universality
• C. Transference
• D. Identification

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Transference occurs when a client unconsciously assigns feelings and attitudes originally associated with another important person in the client's life. In this scenario, the adolescent client is projecting emotions connected to her mother onto the nurse. This client's statement does not demonstrate insight but rather reflects the mechanism of transference. Universality refers to the sense that one is not alone in any situation, which is not evident in the client's statement. Identification is a defense mechanism where an individual takes on characteristics of someone considered admirable, which is not the case in this situation.

4. A 65-year-old client who attends an adult daycare program and is wheelchair-mobile has redness in the sacral area. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to provide?

• A. Take a vitamin supplement tablet once a day.
• B. Change positions in the chair at least every hour.
• C. Increase daily intake of water or other oral fluids.
• D. Purchase a newer model wheelchair.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important instruction for the nurse to provide to the client is to change positions in the chair at least every hour. This is crucial to prevent pressure ulcers, as prolonged pressure on the skin can lead to tissue damage. Repositioning helps relieve pressure on vulnerable areas like the sacrum. Increasing fluid intake can also aid in preventing skin breakdown by maintaining skin hydration. While a vitamin supplement may support overall health, it is not as critical as repositioning to prevent pressure ulcers. Purchasing a new wheelchair is an expensive intervention and should be considered a last resort after implementing less costly preventive measures.

5. When developing Jerry's plan of care, which of the following would NOT be helpful to include?

• A. Limiting choices
• B. Providing structure
• C. Encouraging patient input
• D. Ensuring availability of PRN medications

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Limiting choices would not be helpful in Jerry's plan of care. Providing options, even if among limited choices, offers the patient a sense of independence rather than imposing control. Providing structure is crucial, especially in transitioning from a psychiatric to a medical-surgical unit. Encouraging patient input in identifying triggers and effective methods for managing aggressive impulses is essential for empowerment and individualized care. Ensuring the availability and prompt delivery of PRN medications gives the patient a sense of control and security, assuring access to necessary medication when needed.

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