Nursing Elites

1. A client who is receiving intravenous heparin therapy has an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 90 seconds. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Continue the heparin infusion as prescribed.
• B. Decrease the heparin infusion rate.
• C. Increase the heparin infusion rate.
• D. Stop the heparin infusion and notify the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An aPTT of 90 seconds is significantly elevated, indicating a high risk of bleeding due to excessive anticoagulation. In this case, the heparin infusion should be stopped immediately to prevent further anticoagulation and an increased bleeding risk. Notifying the healthcare provider is essential to discuss alternative anticoagulation strategies or interventions. Continuing heparin therapy without action could lead to severe bleeding complications. Decreasing or increasing the heparin infusion rate would exacerbate the risk of bleeding, making options A, B, and C incorrect.

2. The healthcare provider is preparing to administer atropine, an anticholinergic, to a client scheduled for a cholecystectomy. The client asks the provider to explain the reason for the prescribed medication. What response is best for the provider to provide?

• A. To increase gastric motility.
• B. To decrease the risk of bradycardia during surgery.
• C. To reduce secretions.
• D. To prevent nausea and vomiting.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Atropine, an anticholinergic medication, is used preoperatively to prevent bradycardia by increasing the automaticity of the sinoatrial node during surgical anesthesia. Choice A is incorrect because atropine does not affect gastric motility. Choice C is incorrect as atropine is not primarily used to reduce secretions. Choice D is also incorrect because preventing nausea and vomiting is not the primary purpose of administering atropine in this context.

3. The healthcare professional is providing education on healthy eating habits to a group of adolescents. Which strategy is most likely to be effective?

• A. lecturing about the dangers of unhealthy eating
• B. distributing pamphlets on healthy food choices
• C. involving the adolescents in meal planning and preparation
• D. showing a documentary on the benefits of a healthy diet

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Involving adolescents in meal planning and preparation is a more effective strategy as it actively engages them in the learning process. This approach allows adolescents to have hands-on experience, make informed choices, and develop a sense of ownership over their dietary decisions. Lecturing about dangers or showing documentaries may not be as engaging or interactive, making it less likely for adolescents to retain and apply the information provided. Distributing pamphlets can be informative but lacks the interactive and experiential aspect that involving them in meal planning and preparation offers.

4. A client with a history of hypertension is admitted with a blood pressure of 180/110 mm Hg. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?

• A. Atenolol (Tenormin)
• B. Nifedipine (Procardia)
• C. Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
• D. Clonidine (Catapres)

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario of severe hypertension (180/110 mm Hg), the nurse should prepare to administer Clonidine (Catapres), which is an antihypertensive medication commonly used to rapidly lower blood pressure in acute situations. Atenolol and Nifedipine are also antihypertensive medications, but Clonidine is more appropriate for immediate blood pressure reduction in this critical situation. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic often used for long-term management of hypertension, not for rapid lowering of severely elevated blood pressure.

5. To prepare a presentation on the greatest health concern facing the city, how should the health nurse begin collecting data?

• A. Review morbidity data for the city's population compiled by the Bureau of Vital Statistics
• B. Conduct a random telephone survey to determine the public's perception about health problems
• C. Survey major hospitals in the area to determine the most common reasons for admissions
• D. Call American Medical Association members to determine the most frequently treated diagnoses

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to review morbidity data for the city's population compiled by the Bureau of Vital Statistics. Morbidity data provides detailed and accurate information on the health issues prevalent in the city's population. This data is essential as it reflects actual health conditions rather than perceptions or specific hospital data. Conducting a telephone survey (choice B) may provide subjective opinions rather than objective data. Surveying hospitals (choice C) may only capture data on hospitalized cases and may not represent the entire population. Contacting American Medical Association members (choice D) may provide insights into medical treatments but may not reflect the overall health concerns of the city's population.

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