Nursing Elites

1. A client with a history of asthma is admitted with shortness of breath. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Expiratory wheezes.
• B. Increased respiratory rate.
• C. Absence of breath sounds.
• D. Frequent coughing.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Absence of breath sounds. This finding is concerning in a client with asthma as it may indicate a severe asthma exacerbation, airway obstruction, or pneumothorax, all of which require immediate intervention. Absence of breath sounds suggests a lack of airflow in the lungs, which is a critical sign that should prompt immediate action. Expiratory wheezes (choice A) are common in asthma and may not warrant immediate intervention unless severe. An increased respiratory rate (choice B) is expected in a client with asthma experiencing shortness of breath, but it does not indicate an immediate threat to the airway. Frequent coughing (choice D) is a common symptom in asthma exacerbations but does not signify an immediate need for intervention as it can be managed with appropriate asthma treatments.

2. The nurse is providing care for a client with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which laboratory result requires immediate intervention?

• A. Serum sodium of 140 mEq/L.
• B. Serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L.
• C. Serum osmolality of 280 mOsm/kg.
• D. Serum sodium of 130 mEq/L.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Serum sodium of 130 mEq/L. In SIADH, there is excess release of antidiuretic hormone leading to water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. A serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L indicates severe hyponatremia, which can result in neurological symptoms, such as confusion, seizures, and coma. Therefore, immediate intervention is required to prevent further complications. Choice A, a serum sodium of 140 mEq/L, is within the normal range and does not require immediate intervention. Choice B, serum potassium of 4.5 mEq/L, is also within the normal range and is not directly related to SIADH. Choice C, serum osmolality of 280 mOsm/kg, is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the blood and may not be the most critical parameter to address in a client with SIADH and severe hyponatremia.

3. During a follow-up visit, a client with diabetes reports difficulty maintaining a healthy diet. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Provide the client with meal planning resources
• B. Explore the client's dietary habits and challenges
• C. Refer the client to a nutritionist
• D. Educate the client on the importance of a healthy diet

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client with diabetes reports difficulty in maintaining a healthy diet, the initial action should be to explore the client's dietary habits and challenges. By doing so, the nurse can identify specific issues and barriers the client faces, which is crucial in developing a personalized and effective intervention plan. Providing meal planning resources (Choice A) can be beneficial later but should come after understanding the client's unique situation. Referring the client to a nutritionist (Choice C) may be necessary in some cases but should follow an assessment of the client's current challenges. Simply educating the client on the importance of a healthy diet (Choice D) does not address the specific difficulties the client is facing and may not lead to sustainable behavior change.

4. The healthcare professional is developing a community health program to address the high rates of childhood asthma in a neighborhood. Which intervention should the healthcare professional prioritize?

• A. conducting home visits to identify asthma triggers
• B. distributing asthma education materials at schools
• C. holding workshops on asthma management for parents
• D. partnering with local healthcare providers to offer free asthma screenings

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The healthcare professional should prioritize conducting home visits to identify asthma triggers as it is crucial for reducing asthma attacks in children. By identifying triggers in the home environment, interventions can be implemented to create a safer living space for children with asthma. This approach directly addresses the root cause of asthma exacerbations. Distributing asthma education materials at schools is beneficial for raising awareness but may not address individual triggers. Holding workshops on asthma management for parents is valuable for education but does not directly tackle trigger identification. Partnering with local healthcare providers to offer free asthma screenings focuses on detection rather than prevention through trigger identification.

5. A teenage boy with a history of recurring atopic dermatitis (eczema) tells the school nurse that he wants to play high school football. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. encourage the teenager to join the swim team instead of the football team
• B. notify the parents of the problems associated with perspiration for those with eczema
• C. tell the teenager to shower with a non-perfumed soap immediately after practice
• D. inform the football coach of the teenager's skin condition and its manifestations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to advise the teenager to shower with a non-perfumed soap immediately after practice. This recommendation can help reduce the risk of eczema flare-ups by removing sweat and irritants from the skin. Choice A is incorrect as it does not address the specific concerns related to eczema and football. Choice B, notifying the parents of perspiration problems, is not as direct as instructing the teenager on proper skincare. Choice D, informing the football coach, is not the most immediate and relevant action to address the teenager's individual needs.

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