Nursing Elites

1. Upon admission to the hospital, a client presents with decreased circulation in the left leg. What is the most important initial nursing action during the assessment?

• A. Assess the client's mobility
• B. Evaluate the pedal pulses
• C. Monitor skin temperature
• D. Check for swelling

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client is admitted with decreased circulation in the left leg, the most critical initial nursing action is to evaluate the pedal pulses. Pedal pulses provide essential information about the circulation status in the affected leg. Assessing the client's mobility (Choice A) is important but not as crucial as evaluating pedal pulses in this scenario. Monitoring skin temperature (Choice C) and checking for swelling (Choice D) are also relevant, but they are secondary to evaluating pedal pulses since the latter directly assesses the circulation in the affected limb.

2. A client is 48 hours postoperative following a small bowel resection. The client reports gas pains in the periumbilical area. The nurse should plan care based on which of the following factors contributing to this postoperative complication?

• A. Impaired peristalsis of the intestines
• B. Infection at the surgical site
• C. Fluid overload
• D. Inadequate pain management

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Gas pains in the periumbilical area postoperatively are often caused by impaired peristalsis and bowel function. Following abdominal surgery, it is common for peristalsis to be reduced due to surgical manipulation and anesthesia effects. This reduction in peristalsis can lead to the accumulation of gas in the intestines, resulting in gas pains. Infection at the surgical site (Choice B) would present with localized signs of infection such as redness, swelling, warmth, and drainage, rather than diffuse gas pains. Fluid overload (Choice C) would manifest with symptoms such as edema, increased blood pressure, and respiratory distress, not gas pains. Inadequate pain management (Choice D) may lead to increased discomfort, but it is not the primary cause of gas pains in the periumbilical area following a small bowel resection.

3. The female is caring for a male patient who is uncircumcised but not ambulatory and has full function of all extremities. The nurse is providing the patient with a partial bed bath. How should perineal care be performed for this patient?

• A. Should be postponed because it may cause embarrassment.
• B. Should be unnecessary because the patient is uncircumcised.
• C. Should be done by the patient.
• D. Should be done by the nurse.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Perineal care should be encouraged to be done by the patient if they are capable of performing self-care. In this scenario, the patient is not ambulatory and has full function of all extremities, indicating that the patient can independently perform perineal care. Encouraging self-care promotes independence and maintains the patient's dignity. Postponing perineal care (Choice A) is incorrect because it is essential for hygiene. Choice B is incorrect as perineal care is necessary for all patients regardless of circumcision status. Choice D is incorrect as the patient is capable of performing the care independently, and promoting self-care is a priority in nursing practice.

4. A client is experiencing a severe sore throat, pain when swallowing, and swollen lymph nodes. Which of the following stages of infection is the client likely in?

• A. Prodromal
• B. Incubation
• C. Convalescence
• D. Illness

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The client in this scenario is in the illness stage of infection. During this stage, the individual exhibits specific symptoms such as a severe sore throat, pain when swallowing, and swollen lymph nodes. The prodromal stage precedes the appearance of specific symptoms and is characterized by nonspecific signs. The incubation period occurs between exposure to the pathogen and the onset of symptoms. Convalescence is the recovery period following the resolution of the infection. Therefore, the correct answer is 'D: Illness' as it aligns with the symptoms presented by the client.

5. A community health nurse is caring for a group of families. The nurse should identify which of the following families is experiencing a maturational loss?

• A. A family whose only child recently died due to cancer.
• B. A family whose head of household lost her job.
• C. A family whose house was destroyed in a fire.
• D. A family whose oldest child is moving away for college.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because maturational loss is related to developmental changes, such as children leaving for college. This type of loss is tied to the normal life transitions of individuals and can lead to feelings of grief and adjustment. Choices A, B, and C represent different types of losses. Choice A involves a traumatic loss of a child due to illness, choice B involves a financial loss impacting the head of household's job, and choice C involves a material loss due to a fire incident. While these losses are significant, they do not specifically relate to maturational loss, which is associated with expected life stage transitions.

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