Nursing Elites

1. A nurse calculates a newborn infant's Apgar score 1 minute after birth and determines that the score is 6. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take?

• A. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• B. Gently stimulate the infant by rubbing his back while administering oxygen
• C. Recheck the score in 5 minutes
• D. Provide no action except to support the infant's spontaneous efforts

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Apgar score is a method for rapidly evaluating an infant's cardiorespiratory adaptation after birth. The nurse assigns scores in five areas: heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex response, and color, totaling the scores. A score of 8 to 10 requires no action other than supporting the infant's spontaneous efforts and observation. A score of 4 to 7 indicates the need to gently stimulate the infant by rubbing his back while administering oxygen. If the score is 1 to 3, the infant requires resuscitation. Therefore, in this scenario with an Apgar score of 6, the correct action is to gently stimulate the infant by rubbing his back while administering oxygen. Initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation would be excessive at this point, and rechecking the score in 5 minutes may delay necessary interventions. Providing no action except to support the infant's spontaneous efforts is insufficient for a score of 6, indicating the need for stimulation and oxygen administration.

2. A nurse assisting with data collection of a client gathers both subjective and objective data. Which finding would the nurse document as subjective data?

• A. The client appears anxious.
• B. Blood pressure is 170/80 mm Hg.
• C. The client states that he has a rash.
• D. The client has diminished reflexes in the legs.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Subjective data are information provided by the client about their symptoms, feelings, or experiences. In this case, the client reporting having a rash is subjective data because it is based on what the client says. Choices A, B, and D involve observations or measurements made by the nurse (anxious appearance, blood pressure, reflexes), which fall under objective data. Objective data are observable and measurable data obtained through physical examination, vital signs assessment, and laboratory tests.

3. A nurse assisting with data collection plans to assess tactile (vocal) fremitus. The nurse performs this by using which technique?

• A. Palpating for symmetric chest expansion
• B. Auscultating the breath sounds over the trachea and larynx
• C. Auscultating the breath sounds over the peripheral lung fields
• D. Palpating the thorax, comparing vibrations from side to side as the client repeats the word 'ninety-nine'

Correct answer: D

Rationale: To assess tactile (vocal) fremitus, the nurse palpates the thorax and compares vibrations from side to side as the client repeats the word 'ninety-nine.' This technique helps in evaluating the intensity and symmetry of vibrations felt. Palpating for symmetric chest expansion involves assessing the expansion of the chest during breathing by placing hands on the anterolateral wall. Auscultating the breath sounds over the trachea and larynx is done to assess bronchial breath sounds, while auscultating over the peripheral lung fields is used to assess vesicular breath sounds.

4. While assisting with data collection, the nurse asks the client to close their jaws tightly. Subsequently, the nurse tries to open the closed jaws. In this technique, the nurse is assessing the motor function of which nerve?

• A. Trochlear nerve
• B. Abducens nerve
• C. Trigeminal nerve
• D. Oculomotor nerve

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Trigeminal nerve. To test the motor function of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V), the nurse assesses the muscles of mastication by asking the client to clench their teeth. By trying to separate the client's jaws, the nurse evaluates the strength of the temporal and masseter muscles innervated by the trigeminal nerve. This technique helps assess if the trigeminal nerve is functioning properly. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they relate to other cranial nerves that are not involved in the specific motor function being tested in this scenario. These nerves are usually assessed through different examinations such as assessing the pupils and extraocular movements, which are not part of the jaw clenching and opening technique described in the question.

5. A nurse is planning care for a hospitalized toddler. To best maintain the toddler's sense of control and security and ease feelings of helplessness and fear, the nurse should perform which action?

• A. Allow the toddler to play with other children in the nursing unit playroom.
• B. Spend as much time as possible with the toddler.
• C. Allow the toddler to select toys from the nursing unit playroom that can be brought into the toddler's hospital room.
• D. Keep hospital routines as similar as possible to those at home.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The best action for the nurse to take to help a hospitalized toddler maintain a sense of control and security and ease feelings of helplessness and fear is to keep hospital routines as similar as possible to those at home. By incorporating the toddler's usual rituals and routines from home into nursing care activities, the nurse can reduce the stress of hospitalization. This approach gives the toddler a sense of familiarity, control, and security, which can alleviate feelings of helplessness and fear. Allowing the toddler to play with other children in the nursing unit playroom and selecting toys are beneficial activities, but maintaining hospital routines similar to those at home is the most effective way to support the toddler's emotional well-being during hospitalization.

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