Nursing Elites

1. A client with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) is receiving a beta-blocker medication. What is the most important outcome for the nurse to monitor?

• A. Heart rate and blood pressure
• B. Blood glucose levels
• C. Respiratory rate
• D. Liver function tests

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Heart rate and blood pressure. When a client with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) is on a beta-blocker medication, monitoring heart rate and blood pressure is crucial. Beta-blockers lower heart rate and blood pressure, so monitoring these parameters helps assess the medication's effectiveness and prevent complications like bradycardia or hypotension. Choices B, C, and D are not the most important outcomes to monitor in this scenario. Blood glucose levels are typically monitored in clients with diabetes or when using medications that affect glucose levels. Respiratory rate is important in assessing respiratory function and oxygenation, while liver function tests are more relevant when monitoring the impact of medications on liver health.

2. A young adult male who is being seen at the employee health care clinic for an annual assessment tells the nurse that his mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was his age and that life with a schizophrenic mother was difficult indeed. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

• A. Ask the client if he is worried about becoming schizophrenic at the age his mother was diagnosed.
• B. Encourage the client to seek genetic counseling to determine his risk for mental illness.
• C. Inform the client that his mother’s schizophrenia has affected his psychological development.
• D. Tell the client that mental illness has a familial predisposition so he should see a psychiatrist.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Genetic counseling can help assess risk and provide guidance for the client’s concerns about potential hereditary conditions.

3. The client enters the room of a client with Parkinson’s disease who is taking carbidopa-levodopa. The client is arising slowly from the chair while the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) stands next to the chair. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Demonstrate how to help the client move more efficiently
• B. Offer a PRN analgesic to reduce painful movement
• C. Affirm that the client should arise slowly from the chair
• D. Tell the UAP to assist the client in moving more quickly

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to demonstrate how to help the client move more efficiently. As the client is arising slowly from the chair, providing guidance on proper movement techniques can improve the client's mobility and safety. Offering a PRN analgesic (Choice B) is not relevant to the client's situation as there is no indication of pain. Affirming that the client should arise slowly (Choice C) does not address the need for assistance in improving movement efficiency. Instructing the UAP to assist the client in moving more quickly (Choice D) may compromise the client's safety and is not the appropriate action to take.

4. While changing a client’s chest tube dressing, the nurse notes a crackling sensation when gentle pressure is applied to the skin at the insertion site. What is the best action for the nurse to take?

• A. Apply a pressure dressing around the chest tube insertion site
• B. Assess the client for allergies to topical cleaning agents
• C. Measure the area of swelling and crackling
• D. Administer an oral antihistamine per PRN protocol

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A crackling sensation indicates subcutaneous emphysema, caused by air trapped under the skin. Applying a pressure dressing around the chest tube insertion site can help manage the issue by preventing further air leakage into the tissues. Choice B is incorrect because the crackling sensation is not related to allergies. Choice C is incorrect as measuring the area does not address the underlying cause. Choice D is incorrect as administering an oral antihistamine is not indicated for subcutaneous emphysema.

5. The nurse is assessing an infant with pyloric stenosis. Which pathophysiological mechanism is the most likely consequence of this infant’s clinical picture?

• A. Metabolic acidosis
• B. Metabolic alkalosis
• C. Respiratory alkalosis
• D. Respiratory acidosis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pyloric stenosis often leads to metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of gastric acid from vomiting. Metabolic acidosis would not be expected in pyloric stenosis as there is no excessive acid accumulation. Respiratory alkalosis and respiratory acidosis are not typically associated with pyloric stenosis, making them incorrect choices.

Similar Questions