Nursing Elites

1. During an assessment, a nurse asks a patient, "If you had fever and vomiting for 3 days, what would you do?"? Which aspect of the mental status examination is the nurse assessing?

• A. Behavior
• B. Cognition
• C. Affect and mood
• D. Perceptual disturbances

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse is assessing cognition in this scenario. Cognition involves evaluating a patient's judgment and decision-making abilities. By asking the patient what they would do in a specific situation, the nurse aims to determine the patient's cognitive function. A correct response indicating intact cognition would involve a decision like 'Call my doctor.' If the patient suggests inappropriate actions like 'I would stop eating' or 'I would just wait and see what happened,' it would suggest impaired judgment. The other options, behavior, affect and mood, and perceptual disturbances, refer to different aspects of the mental status examination and are not directly assessed through this question.

2. During a class on cultural practices, the nurse hears the term cultural taboo. Which statement illustrates the concept of a cultural taboo?

• A. Trying prayer before seeking medical help
• B. Believing that illness is a punishment of sin
• C. Refusing to accept blood products as part of treatment
• D. Stating that a child's birth defect is the result of the parents' sins

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The concept of a cultural taboo involves practices that are forbidden or avoided within a particular culture. Refusing to accept blood products as part of treatment is a clear example of a cultural taboo, as some cultures or religions prohibit the use of blood products for medical purposes. This practice is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and traditions. The other choices provided do not directly relate to cultural taboos. Trying prayer before seeking medical help, believing illness is a punishment of sin, and stating that a child's birth defect is the result of parents' sins are beliefs or actions based on religious or personal beliefs, but they do not specifically represent cultural taboos.

3. During the evaluation of the quality of home care for a client with Alzheimer's disease, the priority for the nurse is to reinforce which statement by a family member?

• A. "At least two (2) full meals a day are eaten."?
• B. "We go to a group discussion every week at our community center."?
• C. "We have safety bars installed in the bathroom and have 24-hour alarms on the doors."?
• D. "The medication is not a problem to have taken three (3) times a day."?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is, '"We have safety bars installed in the bathroom and have 24-hour alarms on the doors."?' Ensuring the safety of a client with Alzheimer's disease is crucial in home care. Installing safety features like bars in the bathroom and alarms on doors help prevent accidents and injuries. This contributes to creating a safe environment that promotes independence and autonomy for the client. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because while they are important aspects of care, ensuring safety in the home environment takes precedence in caring for a client with Alzheimer's disease.

4. When evaluating the temperature of older adults, what aspect should the healthcare provider remember about an older adult's body temperature?

• A. The body temperature of the older adult is lower than that of a younger adult.
• B. An older adult's body temperature is approximately the same as that of a young child.
• C. Body temperature varies based on the type of thermometer used.
• D. In older adults, body temperature can fluctuate widely due to less effective heat control mechanisms.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When evaluating the temperature of older adults, it is important to note that their body temperature is usually lower than that of younger adults, with a mean temperature of 36.2�C. Choice B is incorrect because an older adult's body temperature is not approximately the same as that of a young child. Choice C is incorrect because body temperature is a physiological parameter and does not vary based on the type of thermometer used. Choice D is incorrect because while older adults may have less effective heat control mechanisms, their body temperature is typically lower, not widely fluctuating.

5. The patient with migraine headaches has a seizure. After the seizure, which action can you delegate to the nursing assistant?

• A. Document the seizure
• B. Perform neurologic checks
• C. Take the patient's vital signs
• D. Restrain the patient for protection

Correct answer: C

Rationale: After a patient with migraine headaches has a seizure, it is important to assess their vital signs to monitor their condition. This task can be safely delegated to a nursing assistant as it falls within their scope of practice. Documenting the seizure and performing neurologic checks require a higher level of training and should be done by a nurse or healthcare provider. Restraint should never be used as a first-line intervention after a seizure unless there is an immediate threat to the patient's safety, and it should be done following proper protocols and with appropriate training.

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