Nursing Elites

1. A client with hypertension is prescribed a low-sodium diet. What is the most important instruction for the nurse to provide?

• A. Limit sodium intake to 2 grams per day.
• B. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables.
• C. Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.
• D. Avoid processed foods and canned soups.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Avoiding processed foods and canned soups is crucial for a client with hypertension on a low-sodium diet because these foods are typically high in sodium content. Fresh fruits and vegetables are generally healthy choices but may still contain some natural sodium. While limiting sodium intake to 2 grams per day is important, specifically avoiding processed foods and canned soups is more critical in this situation. Drinking water is essential for overall health but is not the most important instruction when focusing on reducing sodium intake.

2. A female client with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is sedated and on a ventilator with 50% FIO2. What assessment finding warrants immediate intervention?

• A. Assess the client’s lung sounds bilaterally.
• B. Diminished left lower lobe sounds.
• C. Monitor ventilator settings for changes in oxygen levels.
• D. Increased sputum production and shortness of breath.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Diminished breath sounds in a sedated client with ARDS and on a ventilator indicate collapsed alveoli, which requires immediate intervention, such as chest tube insertion, to prevent further lung damage. Assessing bilateral lung sounds (Choice A) is important but not as urgent as identifying diminished sounds in a specific location. Monitoring ventilator settings (Choice C) is essential but does not directly address the immediate need for intervention due to diminished breath sounds. Increased sputum production and shortness of breath (Choice D) may indicate other issues but are not specific to the urgency of addressing diminished breath sounds in ARDS.

3. A young adult was hit in the temporal area with a baseball bat and is being monitored for signs of a closed head injury. Which finding indicates a developing epidural hematoma?

• A. Nausea and vomiting.
• B. Altered consciousness within the first 24 hours after injury.
• C. Severe headache and blurred vision.
• D. Loss of motor function on the affected side.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Altered consciousness within the first 24 hours after a temporal injury is a classic sign of epidural hematoma, which is a neurosurgical emergency. This finding occurs due to the rapid expansion of the hematoma, causing compression of the brain. Nausea and vomiting (choice A) are more commonly associated with other types of head injuries, such as concussion. Severe headache and blurred vision (choice C) are symptoms seen in various head injuries but are not specific to epidural hematomas. Loss of motor function on the affected side (choice D) is more indicative of a different type of head injury, such as a contusion or intracerebral hematoma.

4. A client presents with severe dehydration due to prolonged vomiting. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

• A. Encourage the client to drink clear fluids.
• B. Assess the client's skin turgor and mucous membranes.
• C. Monitor the client's vital signs frequently.
• D. Administer an antiemetic as prescribed.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the client's skin turgor and mucous membranes. When a client presents with severe dehydration, assessing skin turgor (elasticity of the skin) and mucous membranes (such as checking for dryness in the mouth) is crucial in determining the extent of dehydration. Encouraging the client to drink clear fluids (Choice A) may be important but assessing dehydration severity takes precedence. Monitoring vital signs (Choice C) is essential but assessing dehydration status comes first. Administering an antiemetic (Choice D) addresses vomiting but does not directly assess dehydration.

5. The nurse receives a report on an older adult client with middle stage dementia. What information suggests the nurse should do immediate follow-up rather than delegate care to the nursing assistant?

• A. Has had a change in respiratory rate with an increase of 2 breaths
• B. Has had a change in heart rate with an increase of 10 beats
• C. Was minimally responsive to voice and touch
• D. Has had a blood pressure change with a drop of 8 mmHg systolic

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A change in responsiveness, as indicated by being minimally responsive to voice and touch, suggests a potential acute issue that requires immediate nursing assessment and intervention rather than delegation. Changes in vital signs (choices A, B, D) can be important but do not always indicate an immediate need for nursing intervention compared to a change in responsiveness.

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