Nursing Elites

1. A county public health nurse is developing a list of interventions to address the three core functions of public health. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include as part of the assurance function?

• A. Use surveillance to investigate outbreaks of foodborne illness
• B. Monitor the incidence rates of varicella every 2 months
• C. Organize an immunization clinic for at-risk members of the community
• D. Educate the community about the health risks of alcohol use

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Organize an immunization clinic for at-risk members of the community.' This intervention is part of the assurance function in public health, as it ensures that the community has access to preventive health services. Choice A is related to the assessment function as it involves surveillance to investigate outbreaks. Choice B is also related to the assessment function since it involves monitoring incidence rates. Choice D is associated with the policy development function as it involves educating the community about health risks.

2. What is the priority action when a patient is experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication?

• A. Monitor the patient's blood pressure every 15 minutes.
• B. Discontinue the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
• C. Administer an antihistamine to reduce symptoms.
• D. Monitor the patient's urine output closely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to discontinue the medication and notify the healthcare provider when a patient is experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication. This action is crucial to prevent further harm to the patient. Monitoring blood pressure (choice A) or urine output (choice D) may be important but is not the priority when managing an allergic reaction. Administering an antihistamine (choice C) should only be done after discontinuing the medication and consulting with the healthcare provider.

3. The nurse is caring for a patient in restraints. Which essential information will the nurse document in the patient's medical record to provide safe care?

• A. Straps with quick-release buckles attached to bed side rails.
• B. Attempts to distract the patient with television are unsuccessful.
• C. Bilateral radial pulses present, 2+, hands warm to the touch.
• D. Released from restraints, active range-of-motion exercises completed.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because documenting bilateral radial pulses being present, 2+, and hands warm to the touch is crucial when caring for a patient in restraints. This information helps in monitoring circulation and assessing the patient's well-being. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not provide essential information related to the patient's safety and well-being while in restraints.

4. A healthcare provider is reviewing the laboratory report of a client who is receiving heparin therapy for a deep vein thrombosis. Which of the following lab values indicates a therapeutic response to the therapy?

• A. PT of 12 seconds
• B. aPTT of 70 seconds
• C. Platelets of 150,000/mm3
• D. INR of 1.5

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An aPTT of 70 seconds is within the therapeutic range for a client receiving heparin therapy. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is the most sensitive test to monitor heparin therapy. A therapeutic aPTT range for a client receiving heparin is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value. Choices A, C, and D are not indicators of a therapeutic response to heparin therapy. PT measures the extrinsic pathway of coagulation and is not specific to monitoring heparin therapy. Platelet count is important to monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, but it does not indicate the therapeutic response to heparin therapy. INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin therapy.

5. If a nurse is uncomfortable documenting a verbal prescription, what should the nurse do?

• A. Document the prescription without seeking clarification.
• B. Clarify the verbal prescription with the healthcare provider.
• C. Refuse to document the prescription.
• D. Speak with the client's family to clarify the situation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a nurse is uncomfortable documenting a verbal prescription, the best course of action is to clarify the prescription with the healthcare provider. This is crucial to ensure that the information is accurate and to provide safe and appropriate care. Option A is incorrect because blindly documenting without seeking clarification can lead to errors. Option C is incorrect as refusing to document the prescription altogether is not in the best interest of the patient. Option D is also incorrect as speaking with the client's family is not the appropriate step to clarify a verbal prescription; the healthcare provider should be the primary source for this clarification.

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