Nursing Elites

1. A client asks the nurse, 'Should I tell my partner that I just found out I'm human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive?' Which is the nurse's most appropriate response?

• A. Do not tell your partner unless asked.
• B. This is a decision you alone can make.
• C. You are having difficulty deciding what to say.
• D. Tell your partner that you don't know how you became sick.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate response for the nurse in this situation is to acknowledge the client's struggle in deciding what to communicate to their partner. By stating 'You are having difficulty deciding what to say,' the nurse validates the client's feelings and encourages further discussion. Option A is incorrect as it suggests withholding information unless asked, which may not align with ethical principles of honesty and transparency in relationships. Option B, while acknowledging the client's autonomy, does not provide direct support or guidance. Option D is inappropriate as it involves dishonesty by suggesting telling the partner an untruthful reason for the illness.

2. The health care provider has changed a client's prescription from the PO to the IV route of administration. The nurse should anticipate which change in the pharmacokinetic properties of the medication?

• A. The client will experience increased tolerance to the drug's effects and may need a higher dose.
• B. The onset of action of the drug will occur more rapidly, resulting in a more rapid effect.
• C. The medication will be more highly protein-bound, increasing the duration of action.
• D. The therapeutic index will be increased, placing the client at greater risk for toxicity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When changing the route of administration from PO to IV, the absorption process is bypassed, leading to a more rapid onset of action of the medication and consequently a quicker effect. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Increased drug tolerance and higher doses are not typical outcomes of changing the route of administration. Protein binding does not increase with a change to IV administration; rather, it is the bioavailability and onset of action that are affected. Moreover, an increased therapeutic index reduces the risk of drug toxicity, contrary to what is stated in choice D.

3. Which of the following outcomes is most appropriate during the crisis stage of caring for a victim of domestic violence?

• A. The client will verbalize community resources from which to seek shelter after discharge.
• B. The client will write a plan to keep herself and her children safe.
• C. The client will contact an attorney for help with pressing charges.
• D. The client will be safe and receive treatment for injuries.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During the crisis stage of caring for a victim of domestic violence, the immediate priority is ensuring the client's safety and providing treatment for any injuries sustained. This focuses on addressing the urgent physical and emotional needs of the victim. While options like verbalizing community resources or creating safety plans are important for long-term support, they are not the primary concerns during the crisis phase. Contacting an attorney for legal assistance, though vital in the future, is not the immediate priority during the crisis stage when the client's safety and health are at the forefront.

4. The client is in the withdrawal phase of adjusting to the change in body image. Which reaction cues the nurse to realize this when caring for a client who has lost an arm in a motor vehicle accident?

• A. The client is going through a grieving period.
• B. The client talks as if another person is affected.
• C. The client is willing to learn techniques to adapt.
• D. The client recognizes the reality and becomes anxious.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the client's recognition of the reality and subsequent anxiety cues the nurse that the client is in the withdrawal phase of adjusting to the change in body image. During this phase, the client may refuse to discuss the change and may use withdrawal as a coping mechanism. The grieving period typically occurs during the acknowledgement phase, where the client and family come to terms with the change in physical appearance. Initially, shock and depersonalization may lead the client to talk as if another person is affected by the change. Finally, in the rehabilitation stage, the client is ready to learn techniques to adapt to the change, such as through the use of prosthetics or modifying lifestyles and goals.

5. Which of the following medications would NOT be an appropriate prn medication for use during an episode of aggression or violence for the patient with a psychiatric diagnosis?

• A. Olanzapine
• B. Meperidine
• C. Ziprasidone
• D. Haloperidol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Meperidine is an opioid used to treat pain and is not suitable for managing aggressive or violent behavior in patients with psychiatric diagnoses. Olanzapine, ziprasidone, and haloperidol are appropriate choices for managing aggression or violence. Olanzapine and ziprasidone are second-generation antipsychotic medications, while haloperidol is a traditional antipsychotic. These medications have demonstrated effectiveness in managing aggressive behavior, with or without the adjunctive use of a benzodiazepine. Meperidine's primary indication is for pain relief, making it unsuitable for managing psychiatric-related aggression or violence.

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