Nursing Elites

1. A client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 350 mg/dL. Which of these actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer insulin as ordered
• B. Encourage the client to drink fluids
• C. Notify the healthcare provider
• D. Recheck the blood glucose level in 30 minutes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering insulin as ordered is the priority action when a client with diabetes mellitus has a blood glucose level of 350 mg/dL. Insulin helps to lower the high blood glucose level and prevent complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis. Encouraging the client to drink fluids may be beneficial but does not address the immediate need to lower the blood glucose level. Notifying the healthcare provider and rechecking the blood glucose level can be important steps but should come after administering insulin to address the high glucose level promptly.

2. A client is receiving treatment for hypertension. Which of these findings would be most concerning to the nurse?

• A. A heart rate of 90 beats per minute
• B. A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
• C. A respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
• D. A temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute is within normal limits; however, changes in breathing patterns can indicate respiratory distress, which is concerning, especially in a client receiving treatment for hypertension. A heart rate of 90 beats per minute may not be alarming if the client is at rest. A blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg is within the normal range for a healthy adult. A temperature of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit is also considered normal, showing no immediate cause for concern in this scenario.

3. A nurse is caring for a new mother who is breastfeeding her term newborn. The newborn weighed 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) at birth and weighs 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) on the second day of life. The mother expresses concern about the weight loss and asks the nurse about the amount of her breast milk. Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

• A. Why don't you switch to formula to ensure your baby is eating enough?
• B. It is common for new mothers to worry that they are not producing enough milk for their baby.
• C. A healthy newborn can lose 6% of his birth weight before starting to gain weight.
• D. Your newborn will need to remain in the hospital so his weight can be monitored.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A healthy newborn can lose up to 6% of their birth weight within the first few days of life, which is considered normal. This weight loss is usually due to fluid shifts and initial adjustments. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is inappropriate as switching to formula is not necessary at this point. Choice B, while acknowledging the mother's concerns, does not provide factual information about newborn weight loss. Choice D is unnecessary and may cause unnecessary stress to the mother and newborn since monitoring weight loss at home is sufficient unless there are other concerns.

4. A client is diagnosed with a spontaneous pneumothorax necessitating the insertion of a chest tube. What is the best explanation for the nurse to provide this client?

• A. The tube will drain fluid from your chest.
• B. The tube will remove excess air from your chest.
• C. The tube controls the amount of air that enters your chest.
• D. The tube will seal the hole in your lung.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'The tube will remove excess air from your chest.' In a spontaneous pneumothorax, air accumulates in the pleural space, causing lung collapse. The chest tube is inserted to remove this excess air, allowing the lung to re-expand. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the primary purpose of a chest tube in pneumothorax is to evacuate air, not fluid, control air entry, or seal a lung hole.

5. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a group of older adults about oil-rich foods. The nurse should include which of the following foods as the equivalent of 4 tsp of oil?

• A. 1 tbsp of soft margarine
• B. ½ oz of nuts
• C. 2 tbsp of peanut butter
• D. 1 oz of sunflower seeds

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 2 tbsp of peanut butter. Two tablespoons of peanut butter is approximately equivalent to 4 teaspoons of oil, providing healthy fats in the diet. Choice A, 1 tbsp of soft margarine, is not equivalent to 4 tsp of oil as margarine contains additional ingredients. Choice B, ½ oz of nuts, and choice D, 1 oz of sunflower seeds, do not provide an equivalent amount of oil as requested in the question.

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