Nursing Elites

1. When inspecting the ears for cerumen impaction, the nurse checks for which finding?

• A. Redness and swelling of the tympanic membrane
• B. An external auditory canal that is longer than normal
• C. The presence of edema in the external auditory canal
• D. A yellowish or brownish waxy material in the external auditory canal

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When inspecting the ears for cerumen impaction, the nurse should look for a yellowish or brownish waxy material in the external auditory canal. Cerumen, also known as ear wax, is a secretion that can become impacted due to various reasons. It is produced by the vestigial apocrine sweat glands in the external ear canal. Cerumen may partially obscure the eardrum or totally occlude the ear canal. The other options, redness and swelling of the tympanic membrane, an external auditory canal that is longer than normal, and the presence of edema in the external auditory canal, are not indicative findings of cerumen impaction.

2. During the examination of a client's throat, a nurse touches the posterior wall with a tongue blade and elicits the gag reflex. The nurse documents normal function of which cranial nerves?

• A. Cranial nerves V and VI
• B. Cranial nerves XII and VIII
• C. Cranial nerves XII and VIII
• D. Cranial nerves IX and X

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal nerve) and X (vagus nerve). When the nurse touches the posterior pharyngeal wall with a tongue blade and elicits the gag reflex, it indicates normal function of these nerves. Cranial nerves V (trigeminal nerve) and VI (abducens nerve) are not directly responsible for the gag reflex. Cranial nerves XII (hypoglossal nerve) and VIII (vestibulocochlear nerve) are not directly involved in eliciting the gag reflex. Testing cranial nerve I involves smell function, and cranial nerve II is related to eye examinations, making them irrelevant in this scenario.

3. The nurse is assessing the dental status of an 18-month-old child. How many teeth should the nurse expect to examine?

• A. 6
• B. 8
• C. 12
• D. 16

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An 18-month-old child should have approximately 12 teeth. In general, children begin dentition around 6 months of age. During the first 2 years of life, a quick guide to the number of teeth a child should have is as follows: Subtract the number 6 from the number of months in the age of the child. In this example, the child is 18 months old, so the formula is 18 - 6 = 12. The correct answer is 12. Choice A (6) is incorrect as it does not consider the child's age. Choices B (8) and D (16) are incorrect as they do not align with the dental development timeline and the specific age of the child in question.

4. How often should a 5-year-old child undergo a dental examination?

• A. Every 6 months
• B. Whenever a new primary tooth erupts
• C. Once a year
• D. Every 3 months

Correct answer: A

Rationale: For a 5-year-old child, dental examinations should be conducted every 6 months. This frequency allows for early detection of dental issues and promotes good oral health. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because waiting for a new primary tooth to erupt, having an examination once a year, or every 3 months are not the recommended intervals for dental check-ups in this age group. It is essential to adhere to the standard guideline of every 6 months to ensure regular monitoring and preventive care for the child's dental health.

5. When teaching a woman about possible side effects of hormone replacement therapy, the nurse should include information about all of the following except:

• A. Hypoglycemia in diabetic women.
• B. The possible return of monthly menses when taking combination hormones.
• C. Increased risk of gallbladder disease.
• D. Increased risk of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer with long-term use.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Hypoglycemia in diabetic women.' When educating a woman about hormone replacement therapy, it is important to discuss the possible side effects. It is true that monthly menses might return when taking combination hormones, as the progestin can cause this. Additionally, there is an increased risk of gallbladder disease associated with hormone replacement therapy. Furthermore, long-term use of hormone replacement therapy is linked to an increased risk of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer. However, hypoglycemia is not a common side effect of hormone replacement therapy, especially in diabetic women. In fact, estrogen can have a positive impact on glucose control in some cases, so hypoglycemia would not be a typical concern.

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