Nursing Elites

1. A charge nurse on a medical-surgical unit is planning assignments for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who has been sent from the postpartum unit due to a staffing shortage for the shift. Which of the following client assignments should the nurse delegate to the LPN?

• A. A client who is postoperative following a bowel resection with an NGT set to continuous suction.
• B. A client who has fractured a femur yesterday and is experiencing shortness of breath.
• C. A client who sustained a concussion and has unequal pupils.
• D. A client who has an Hgb of 6.3 g/dl and a prescription for packed RBCs.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the LPN can care for stable clients with complex needs, such as managing an NGT set to continuous suction. Choices B, C, and D involve clients with more acute conditions that require a higher level of assessment and intervention, making them unsuitable for delegation to an LPN. Choice B requires prompt evaluation of the shortness of breath in a client with a recent femur fracture, which is beyond the LPN's scope. Choice C involves a head injury and unequal pupils, indicating the need for neurological assessment and close monitoring. Choice D relates to a critically low hemoglobin level and the need for blood transfusion, requiring careful monitoring and potential intervention beyond the LPN's role.

2. A nurse is teaching a client who has heart failure about fluid restrictions. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Limit fluid intake to 3 liters per day
• B. Limit fluid intake to 1-2 liters per day
• C. Drink 4 liters of water per day
• D. Restrict water intake to 1 liter per day

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Limit fluid intake to 1-2 liters per day.' For clients with heart failure, fluid restriction is essential to prevent fluid overload. Restricting fluid intake to 1-2 liters per day helps maintain fluid balance and prevents exacerbation of heart failure symptoms. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because consuming 3 liters, 4 liters, or limiting water intake to 1 liter per day, respectively, can lead to fluid overload in clients with heart failure.

3. A healthcare professional is reviewing the medical history of a client with dementia. Which of the following findings should be addressed immediately?

• A. Frequent episodes of wandering at night
• B. Restlessness and agitation
• C. Mild confusion during the day
• D. Incontinence

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Restlessness and agitation in clients with dementia should be addressed immediately as they can indicate underlying causes such as pain, discomfort, or unmet needs. Addressing these symptoms promptly can help prevent the escalation of behavioral issues and improve the client's quality of life. While frequent episodes of wandering at night, mild confusion during the day, and incontinence are also important issues to address in clients with dementia, restlessness and agitation usually require immediate attention to ensure the safety and well-being of the client.

4. What guides behavior and decision making based on values and beliefs?

• A. Morals
• B. Beliefs
• C. Ethics
• D. Autonomy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Morals are the values and beliefs that guide behavior and decision-making. While beliefs are part of the equation, morals specifically dictate how individuals act and make choices. Ethics, on the other hand, refer to a system of moral principles governing conduct. Autonomy, although important, is not directly related to the values and beliefs that guide behavior and decision making.

5. A nurse is caring for a 37-year-old woman with metastatic ovarian cancer admitted for nausea and vomiting. The physician orders total parenteral nutrition (TPN), a nutritional consult, and diet recall. Which of the following is the BEST indication that the patient's nutritional status has improved after 4 days?

• A. The patient eats most of the food served to her
• B. The patient has gained 1 pound since admission
• C. The patient's albumin level is 4.0mg/dL
• D. The patient's hemoglobin is 8.5g/dL

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An improved albumin level is the best indicator of improved nutritional status after TPN. Albumin is a key protein that reflects the body's overall nutritional status and is commonly used to assess nutritional health. Choices A, B, and D are not as reliable indicators of improved nutritional status. Choice A may not accurately reflect nutritional improvement as it could be influenced by factors other than nutrition. Choice B may indicate fluid retention or loss rather than true nutritional improvement. Choice D, hemoglobin level, is more related to anemia and oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, rather than nutritional status.

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