Nursing Elites

1. As a client who is terminally ill has been receiving high doses of an opioid analgesic for the past month and becomes unresponsive to verbal stimuli as death approaches, what orders would the nurse expect from the healthcare provider?

• A. Decrease the analgesic dosage by half
• B. Discontinue the analgesic
• C. Continue the same analgesic dosage
• D. Prescribe a less potent drug

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Continuing the same dosage of analgesic is appropriate to manage pain effectively as death nears and the client becomes unresponsive. The primary goal of palliative care in end-of-life situations is to ensure comfort, regardless of the client's level of consciousness. Decreasing the analgesic dosage or discontinuing it could lead to inadequate pain relief, which goes against the principles of palliative care. Prescribing a less potent drug may also compromise pain management in this critical stage. Therefore, maintaining the same analgesic dosage is the most appropriate action to provide comfort and alleviate suffering.

2. When caring for a child with Reye's Syndrome, which action should the nurse give the highest priority?

• A. Monitor intake and output
• B. Provide good skin care
• C. Assess level of consciousness
• D. Assist with range of motion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Assessing the level of consciousness is crucial when caring for a child with Reye's Syndrome. Changes in neurological status can indicate deterioration of the condition, necessitating immediate medical attention. Monitoring intake and output is important but not the highest priority compared to assessing the child's level of consciousness. Providing good skin care and assisting with range of motion are also important aspects of care but take a lower priority than assessing the child's neurological status in this critical condition.

3. A client has been admitted for meningitis. In reviewing the laboratory analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the nurse would expect to note

• A. High protein
• B. Clear color
• C. Elevated sed rate
• D. Increased glucose

Correct answer: A

Rationale: High protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid are indicative of bacterial meningitis, as the presence of bacteria in the CSF leads to increased protein production. Elevated protein levels can be seen in inflammatory conditions like meningitis. Choice B, clear color, is not expected in meningitis as it is typically associated with cloudy or turbid CSF. Elevated sed rate (choice C) and increased glucose (choice D) are not typically associated with the laboratory findings seen in meningitis.

4. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). The client is complaining of chest pain. The nurse knows that pain related to an MI is due to

• A. Insufficient oxygenation of the cardiac muscle
• B. Potential circulatory overload
• C. Left ventricular overload
• D. Electrolyte imbalance

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Insufficient oxygenation of the cardiac muscle. Myocardial infarction pain is primarily caused by inadequate oxygen reaching the heart muscle, leading to ischemia and tissue damage. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because circulatory overload, left ventricular overload, and electrolyte imbalance are not the primary causes of chest pain in myocardial infarction. Circulatory overload may lead to other symptoms like edema, left ventricular overload can result in heart failure symptoms, and electrolyte imbalance may present with various manifestations, but none of these directly cause the characteristic chest pain associated with an MI.

5. A community health RN believes that immunization rates in a lower socioeconomic section of the city are probably below the target set by the state health department. What action should the RN take FIRST to intervene with this health problem?

• A. Take a health history of the members of the community
• B. Initiate an immunization program for the community
• C. Review current epidemiological population data that might document a low immunization rate
• D. Refer all clients to the local health department

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct first action for the community health RN to take in this situation is to review current epidemiological population data that might document a low immunization rate. By doing so, the RN can gather evidence to support further intervention strategies. Option A is incorrect because taking a health history would not provide immediate data on immunization rates in the community. Option B is incorrect as initiating an immunization program without confirming the actual immunization rates may not address the specific needs of the community. Option D is incorrect as a blanket referral without assessing the situation may not be the most effective first step.

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