Nursing Elites

1. A diabetic patient who has reported burning foot pain at night receives a new prescription. Which information should the nurse teach the patient about amitriptyline (Elavil)?

• A. Amitriptyline decreases the depression caused by your foot pain.
• B. Amitriptyline helps prevent transmission of pain impulses to the brain.
• C. Amitriptyline corrects some of the blood vessel changes that cause pain.
• D. Amitriptyline improves sleep and reduces awareness of nighttime pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that works by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, which helps in reducing the transmission of pain impulses to the brain. Choice A is incorrect because amitriptyline primarily works on pain transmission rather than directly on depression. Choice C is inaccurate as amitriptyline's mechanism of action is not related to correcting blood vessel changes. Choice D is partially true as amitriptyline can improve sleep, but the primary mechanism related to pain relief is by preventing pain impulses from reaching the brain.

2. To best reduce the potential for risk, what type of atmosphere is needed to be developed?

• A. Nurse-focused
• B. Physician-focused
• C. Family-focused
• D. Patient-focused

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Patient-focused.' When aiming to reduce the potential for risk, it is essential to prioritize the needs and well-being of the patients. Creating a patient-focused atmosphere helps ensure that decisions and actions are made with the patients' best interests in mind. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while nurses, physicians, and families play essential roles in healthcare, when it comes to reducing risks, the primary focus should be on the patients themselves.

3. When a patient who takes metformin (Glucophage) to manage type 2 diabetes develops an allergic rash from an unknown cause, the healthcare provider prescribes prednisone (Deltasone). The nurse will anticipate that the patient may

• A. require administration of insulin while taking prednisone
• B. develop acute hypoglycemia while taking prednisone
• C. require administration of insulin while taking prednisone
• D. have rashes caused by metformin-prednisone interactions

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a patient taking metformin develops an allergic rash from an unknown cause and is prescribed prednisone, the nurse should anticipate that the patient may require administration of insulin while taking prednisone. Prednisone can increase blood glucose levels by antagonizing the effects of insulin, leading to hyperglycemia. Therefore, the patient may need additional insulin to manage blood sugar levels effectively. The other options are incorrect as prednisone would not directly cause a need for a higher-calorie diet, acute hypoglycemia, or rashes caused by a metformin-prednisone interaction.

4. What innate tendency influences staff to act in a certain way?

• A. Instinct
• B. Appreciation
• C. Control
• D. Esteem

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Instinct. Instinct theory suggests that behaviors are influenced by inherited or innate tendencies, guiding individuals to act in specific ways without conscious reasoning. In the context of staff behavior, instinct can play a significant role in shaping their actions and responses. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Appreciation, control, and esteem are external factors that may influence staff behavior, but in this context, the question specifically asks for an innate tendency that influences staff to act in a certain way, which aligns more closely with instinctive tendencies rather than external factors like appreciation, control, or esteem.

5. What is the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee?

• A. To oversee patient safety initiatives
• B. To develop staffing policies and procedures
• C. To coordinate patient care
• D. To manage nurse recruitment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee is to develop staffing policies and procedures to ensure adequate nurse-to-patient ratios. By establishing these guidelines, the committee aims to optimize patient care by ensuring appropriate staffing levels, which in turn can enhance patient safety and coordination of care. While overseeing patient safety initiatives and managing nurse recruitment are important aspects of healthcare management, the core function of a nurse staffing committee is to create and implement policies that govern the allocation and distribution of nursing staff to meet patient care needs effectively. Therefore, choices A, C, and D, though relevant to healthcare, do not align with the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee as outlined in the question.

Similar Questions