Nursing Elites

1. A client with myasthenia gravis (MG) is receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Recent lab tests show decreased serum magnesium. What nursing action is most important?

• A. Observe rhythm on telemetry monitor.
• B. Check for visual difficulties.
• C. Assess for hip and hand joint pain.
• D. Note the most recent hemoglobin level.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Magnesium plays a crucial role in maintaining normal cardiac rhythms, particularly in patients with cardiac conditions. Abnormal levels can lead to arrhythmias, which is why continuous monitoring of the heart's electrical activity is important. Magnesium's effect on neuromuscular and cardiac function makes it essential to monitor its levels, and any discrepancies can impact treatment decisions. Checking for visual difficulties (choice B) may be important in MG but is not the priority in the context of decreased serum magnesium. Assessing for hip and hand joint pain (choice C) is not directly related to the issue of decreased serum magnesium. Noting the most recent hemoglobin level (choice D) is not the priority in this situation compared to monitoring the cardiac rhythm due to low magnesium levels.

2. A client with anxiety disorder is experiencing increased anxiety prior to vaginal delivery. What should the nurse’s initial action be?

• A. Increase the client's sedative dose
• B. Encourage the client to express her feelings and provide emotional support
• C. Initiate breathing techniques to manage anxiety
• D. Administer anxiolytic medication to calm the client

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct initial action for a client with anxiety disorder experiencing increased anxiety prior to vaginal delivery is to encourage the client to express her feelings and provide emotional support. Emotional support is crucial in reducing anxiety during childbirth. Initiating breathing techniques or administering medications should come after emotional support has been provided. Increasing sedative doses may not address the underlying emotional needs of the client and can have potential risks.

3. The nurse is conducting intake interviews of children at a city clinic. Which child is most susceptible to contracting lead poisoning?

• A. An 8-year-old living in a housing project.
• B. A 2-year-old playing on aging playground equipment.
• C. An adolescent working in a paint factory.
• D. A 10-year-old with Type 1 diabetes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Young children, like the 2-year-old playing on aging playground equipment, are more susceptible to lead poisoning from environmental sources due to their behaviors like hand-to-mouth contact and exploratory behaviors. Choices A, C, and D are less likely to be at high risk for lead poisoning compared to young children due to differences in exposure levels and behaviors related to potential sources of lead contamination.

4. An adult client is admitted to the emergency department after falling from a ladder. While waiting to have a CT scan, the client requests something for a severe headache. When the nurse offers a prescribed dose of acetaminophen, the client asks for something stronger. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

• A. Administer an anti-inflammatory medication instead
• B. Explain the reason for using only non-narcotics
• C. Consult the healthcare provider about a stronger medication
• D. Administer a stronger medication as requested

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should explain the reason for using only non-narcotics. Following head trauma, non-narcotic medications such as acetaminophen are preferred to avoid masking symptoms of neurological changes, such as increased intracranial pressure, that could worsen after stronger pain medication. Administering an anti-inflammatory medication (Choice A) may not be appropriate as it may not address the severity of the headache. Consulting the healthcare provider about a stronger medication (Choice C) is important, but the immediate need is to educate the client on the rationale for using non-narcotic medications first. Administering a stronger medication as requested (Choice D) could potentially mask important symptoms and should be avoided in this situation.

5. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin, and their INR is elevated. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Administer a dose of vitamin K to reverse the effects of warfarin.
• B. Monitor the client for signs of bleeding, such as bruising or nosebleeds.
• C. Increase the client’s warfarin dosage to prevent clot formation.
• D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately and hold the next dose of warfarin.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An elevated INR in clients taking warfarin increases the risk of bleeding, indicating the dose may be too high. The nurse's priority action is to notify the healthcare provider immediately and hold the next dose of warfarin to prevent bleeding complications. Administering vitamin K is not the first-line intervention for an elevated INR. Monitoring for signs of bleeding is important but not the priority over contacting the healthcare provider. Increasing the warfarin dosage can exacerbate the risk of bleeding and is contraindicated.

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