Nursing Elites

1. A male client who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia is withdrawn, isolates himself in the day room, and answers questions with one or two-word responses. This morning, the practical nurse observes that he is diaphoretic and is pacing in the hall. Which intervention is most important for the PN to implement?

• A. Persuade the client to lie down
• B. Provide a drink high in electrolytes
• C. Observe the client during the shift
• D. Measure appropriate vital signs

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Measuring vital signs is crucial in this situation as it helps to determine if the client is experiencing a physical health issue or if the symptoms are related to a mental health crisis, such as anxiety or agitation. The presence of diaphoresis and pacing may indicate physiological changes requiring immediate attention. Providing a drink high in electrolytes or persuading the client to lie down may not address the underlying cause of the symptoms. Simply observing the client during the shift without taking necessary actions to assess his physiological status may delay appropriate intervention.

2. What is the correct order of steps in the nursing process?

• A. Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
• B. Planning, Implementation, Evaluation, Diagnosis, Assessment
• C. Diagnosis, Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
• D. Implementation, Planning, Evaluation, Diagnosis, Assessment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct order in the nursing process is Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. Assessment involves gathering information about the patient, Diagnosis is identifying the problem, Planning involves setting goals and outcomes, Implementation is carrying out the plan, and Evaluation is assessing the outcomes. Choices B, C, and D have the steps in the incorrect order, not following the standard nursing process framework. Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

3. The nurse and UAP enter a client's room and find the client lying on the bed. The nurse determines that the client is unresponsive. Which instruction should the nurse give the UAP first?

• A. Obtain emergency help
• B. Feel for a carotid pulse
• C. Bring a glucometer to the room
• D. Check the blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the UAP to obtain emergency help first. In a situation where a client is unresponsive, the priority is to ensure that help is summoned promptly. This allows for the availability of necessary resources and assistance for resuscitation or other emergency interventions. Feeling for a carotid pulse or checking the blood pressure can be important assessments but are secondary to obtaining immediate help. Bringing a glucometer to the room, while relevant in certain situations, is not the priority when the client's unresponsiveness indicates a need for urgent intervention.

4. When caring for a child with sickle cell disease, the PN expects that the child will most likely describe which symptom when experiencing a sickle cell crisis?

• A. Decreased hemoglobin
• B. Joint pain
• C. Fatigue
• D. Infection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During a sickle cell crisis, a child with sickle cell disease is most likely to describe joint pain. Sickle cell disease leads to the blockage of blood flow by sickled red blood cells, causing ischemia and pain, often felt in the joints and other body parts. Fatigue (choice C) is a nonspecific symptom that can occur in various conditions but is not a characteristic symptom of a sickle cell crisis. While decreased hemoglobin (choice A) can be observed in sickle cell disease, it is not a symptom typically described by a child during a sickle cell crisis. Infection (choice D) can trigger a sickle cell crisis but is not the symptom most likely to be described by the child during the crisis.

5. When administering an analgesic to a client with low back pain, which intervention should the practical nurse implement to promote the effectiveness of the medication?

• A. Massage the lower back and position the client in proper alignment
• B. Encourage the client to ambulate frequently and take deep breaths
• C. Assist the client in performing passive and active range of motion exercises
• D. Give medication with a full glass of water and offer high-fiber foods

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Massaging the lower back and positioning the client in proper alignment can help relieve muscle tension and enhance the effectiveness of analgesics by providing additional comfort and promoting better pain management. This intervention directly addresses the site of pain and can improve the medication's efficacy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while they may have benefits in other situations, they are not directly related to promoting the effectiveness of analgesics in clients with low back pain. Encouraging ambulation and deep breathing, assisting with range of motion exercises, and offering water and high-fiber foods are important for overall patient care but are not specific to enhancing analgesic effectiveness in this context.

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