Nursing Elites

1. A client with cancer develops xerostomia. The nurse can help alleviate the discomfort associated with xerostomia by:

• A. Offering hard candy
• B. Administering analgesic medications
• C. Splinting swollen joints
• D. Providing saliva substitute

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Xerostomia is dry mouth, a common side effect in cancer patients. Providing a saliva substitute helps alleviate the discomfort associated with dry mouth by moistening the oral mucosa. Offering hard candy, as mentioned in choice A, can worsen xerostomia by increasing sugar content and potentially causing irritation. Administering analgesic medications, as in choice B, is not directly related to treating dry mouth. Splinting swollen joints, as in choice C, is irrelevant to xerostomia, which primarily affects the oral cavity.

2. Ashley and her boyfriend Chris, both 19 years old, are transported to the Emergency Department after being involved in a motorcycle accident. Chris is badly hurt, but Ashley has no apparent injuries, though she appears confused and has trouble focusing on what is going on around her. She complains of dizziness and nausea. Her pulse is rapid, and she is hyperventilating. The nurse should assess Ashley's level of anxiety as:

• A. mild.
• B. moderate.
• C. severe.
• D. panic.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Explanation: Ashley is displaying symptoms of severe anxiety, including confusion, trouble focusing, dizziness, nausea, rapid pulse, and hyperventilation. These somatic symptoms, along with changes in vital signs, indicate severe anxiety. In severe anxiety, individuals are unable to solve problems and have a poor grasp of their environment. On the other hand, mild anxiety may lead to mild discomfort or even enhanced performance, while moderate anxiety results in difficulty grasping information and minor changes in vital signs. Panic, the most severe level of anxiety, involves markedly disturbed behavior and a potential loss of touch with reality. Therefore, based on Ashley's symptoms, her anxiety level should be assessed as severe.

3. James returns home from school angry and upset because his teacher gave him a low grade on an assignment. After returning home from school, he kicks the dog. This coping mechanism is known as:

• A. denial
• B. suppression
• C. displacement
• D. fantasy

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'displacement.' Displacement is a defense mechanism where emotions or impulses are transferred from their original source to a substitute target. In this scenario, James is displacing his anger from his teacher onto the dog. Choice A, 'denial,' involves refusing to acknowledge an unpleasant reality. Choice B, 'suppression,' is the conscious effort to push unwanted thoughts out of awareness. Choice D, 'fantasy,' refers to imagining scenarios that fulfill one's desires but are not based in reality.

4. A client is given an opiate drug for pain relief following general anesthesia. The client becomes extremely somnolent with respiratory depression. The physician is likely to order the administration of:

• A. naloxone (Narcan).
• B. labetalol (Normodyne).
• C. neostigmine (Prostigmin).
• D. thiothixene (Navane).

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a client becomes extremely somnolent with respiratory depression after being given an opiate drug, the physician is likely to order the administration of naloxone (Narcan). Naloxone is an opiate antagonist that attaches to opiate receptors, blocking or reversing the action of narcotic analgesics. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Labetalol is a beta blocker used for hypertension, neostigmine is an anticholinesterase agent used to treat myasthenia gravis and reverse neuromuscular blockade, and thiothixene is an antipsychotic agent used for psychiatric conditions.

5. When providing culturally competent care to a couple from the Philippines living in the United States who are expecting their first child, what should the nurse do first?

• A. review their own cultural beliefs and biases
• B. respectfully request that the couple only use medically approved health care providers
• C. understand the clients' need to learn the accepted medical practices of their new country
• D. study family dynamics to comprehend the male and female gender roles in the clients' culture

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When providing culturally competent care, the nurse's initial step is to reflect on and understand their own cultural beliefs and biases. By doing so, the nurse can approach the care of the couple from the Philippines with sensitivity and respect. This self-awareness helps the nurse recognize potential differences in beliefs and values, fostering effective communication and care. Option B is incorrect because it does not address the nurse's need for self-reflection. Option C is incorrect as it focuses on the clients adapting to the new country's practices rather than the nurse understanding the clients' existing beliefs. Option D is incorrect as it pertains to family dynamics and gender roles rather than the nurse's self-awareness.

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