Nursing Elites

1. A client with a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is being discharged. Which instruction should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?

• A. Avoid foods high in iodine.
• B. Take your medication with meals.
• C. Monitor your weight daily.
• D. Decrease your daily fluid intake.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Avoid foods high in iodine.' Clients with hyperthyroidism should avoid foods high in iodine to prevent exacerbation of their condition. Iodine is an essential component in thyroid hormone production, and excessive iodine intake can worsen hyperthyroidism symptoms. Taking medication with meals (B) can interfere with the absorption of certain thyroid medications. Monitoring weight daily (C) is more relevant for conditions that may lead to weight changes like hypothyroidism. Decreasing fluid intake (D) is not a standard recommendation for hyperthyroidism unless specifically indicated by the healthcare provider.

2. While conducting an intake assessment of an adult male at a community mental health clinic, the nurse notes that his affect is flat, he responds to questions with short answers, and he reports problems with sleeping. He reports that his life partner recently died from pneumonia. Which action is most important for the nurse to implement?

• A. Encourage the client to see the clinic's grief counselor.
• B. Determine if the client has a family history of suicide attempts.
• C. Inquire about whether the life partner had AIDS.
• D. Consult with the healthcare provider about the client's need for antidepressant medications.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The client is exhibiting symptoms of normal grief, such as flat affect, withdrawal, and sleep disturbances, following the recent death of his life partner. It is crucial for the nurse to encourage the client to see the clinic's grief counselor. Grief counseling can provide the client with appropriate support and coping strategies during this grieving process, helping him navigate through his loss and emotions effectively.

3. The healthcare provider is caring for a client diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which intervention should the healthcare provider implement to assess the client’s glycemic control?

• A. Monitor fasting blood glucose levels
• B. Check urine for ketones
• C. Evaluate hemoglobin A1c levels
• D. Assess the client’s dietary intake

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Evaluating hemoglobin A1c levels is the most appropriate intervention to assess glycemic control in a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Hemoglobin A1c levels reflect the average blood glucose control over the past 2-3 months, providing valuable information for monitoring and managing diabetes. Monitoring fasting blood glucose levels (Choice A) is important for daily management but does not provide a long-term view like hemoglobin A1c. Checking urine for ketones (Choice B) is more relevant for assessing diabetic ketoacidosis. Assessing dietary intake (Choice D) is crucial for overall diabetes management but does not directly assess glycemic control.

4. 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 a medication is administered via the IV route, the absorptive process is bypassed, leading to a more rapid onset of action. This results in a faster effect of the drug. Choice A is incorrect because changing the route of administration does not necessarily lead to increased tolerance or the need for a higher dose. Choice C is incorrect as changing the route of administration does not directly affect the protein binding of a medication. Choice D is incorrect because increasing the therapeutic index would actually reduce the risk of toxicity, not increase it.

5. After surgery, a client who had a colostomy says 'I know the doctor did not really do a colostomy'. The nurse understands that the client is in an early stage of adjustment to the diagnosis or surgery. What nursing action is indicated at this time?

• A. Agree with the client until they are ready to accept the colostomy.
• B. Say 'It must be difficult to have this kind of surgery'.
• C. Force the client to look at their colostomy.
• D. Ask the surgeon to explain the surgery to the client.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Acknowledging the client's feelings with empathy is essential in the early stage of adjustment to a colostomy surgery. By saying 'It must be difficult to have this kind of surgery,' the nurse validates the client's emotions and opens up a channel for further communication. Choice A is incorrect because agreeing with the client's denial is not therapeutic and may hinder acceptance. Choice C is inappropriate as it disregards the client's emotional state and autonomy. Choice D involves the surgeon and is not the nurse's role in addressing the client's emotional needs.

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