Nursing Elites

1. A client with hypothyroidism is receiving levothyroxine (Synthroid). The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following side effects?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Hypotension
• C. Weight gain
• D. Bradycardia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tachycardia. Levothyroxine, used to treat hypothyroidism, can lead to increased metabolism, causing tachycardia as a side effect. Monitoring for tachycardia is essential to ensure the client's safety. Choices B, Hypotension, and C, Weight gain, are incorrect as levothyroxine is not typically associated with causing hypotension or weight gain. Choice D, Bradycardia, is also incorrect as levothyroxine-induced bradycardia is not a common side effect.

2. What refers to a systematic approach of obtaining, organizing, and analyzing numerical facts so that conclusions may be drawn from them?

• A. Vital statistics
• B. Statistics
• C. Morbidity
• D. Mortality

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Statistics'. Statistics is the systematic approach of obtaining, organizing, and analyzing numerical facts to draw conclusions. Vital statistics, morbidity, and mortality are more specific terms within the field of statistics. Vital statistics focus on births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Morbidity refers to the incidence of illness or disease in a population. Mortality specifically deals with deaths in a population. Hence, B is the most comprehensive and fitting choice for the definition provided.

3. The nurse is planning care for a client with increased intracranial pressure. The best position for this client is

• A. Trendelenburg
• B. Prone
• C. Semi-Fowler's
• D. Side-lying with head flat

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Semi-Fowler's. This position helps to reduce intracranial pressure by promoting venous drainage from the head while maintaining adequate oxygenation. Option A, Trendelenburg position, is incorrect as it involves placing the patient with the head lower than the body, which can increase intracranial pressure. Option B, Prone position, is also incorrect as it involves lying on the stomach, which can further elevate intracranial pressure. Option D, Side-lying with head flat, does not provide the same benefits as the Semi-Fowler's position in terms of promoting venous drainage and maintaining oxygenation in a client with increased intracranial pressure.

4. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). The client is complaining of chest pain. The nurse knows that pain related to an MI is due to

• A. Insufficient oxygenation of the cardiac muscle
• B. Potential circulatory overload
• C. Left ventricular overload
• D. Electrolyte imbalance

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Insufficient oxygenation of the cardiac muscle. Myocardial infarction pain is primarily caused by inadequate oxygen reaching the heart muscle, leading to ischemia and tissue damage. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because circulatory overload, left ventricular overload, and electrolyte imbalance are not the primary causes of chest pain in myocardial infarction. Circulatory overload may lead to other symptoms like edema, left ventricular overload can result in heart failure symptoms, and electrolyte imbalance may present with various manifestations, but none of these directly cause the characteristic chest pain associated with an MI.

5. When a nurse from the surgical department is reassigned to the pediatric unit, the charge nurse should recognize that the child at highest risk for cardiac arrest and is the least likely to be assigned to this nurse is which child?

• A. Congenital cardiac defects
• B. An acute febrile illness
• C. Prolonged hypoxemia
• D. Severe multiple trauma

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Prolonged hypoxemia.' Prolonged hypoxemia is a critical condition that requires specialized pediatric care due to the high risk of cardiac arrest. The other choices, such as congenital cardiac defects, acute febrile illness, and severe multiple trauma, may also require attention, but prolonged hypoxemia poses the highest risk for cardiac arrest and demands specialized expertise in managing pediatric patients with this condition.

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