Nursing Elites

1. A nurse caring for several patients in the cardiac unit is told that one is scheduled for implantation of an automatic internal cardioverter-defibrillator. Which of the following patients is most likely to have this procedure?

• A. A patient admitted for myocardial infarction without cardiac muscle damage.
• B. A postoperative coronary bypass patient, recovering on schedule.
• C. A patient with a history of ventricular tachycardia and syncopal episodes.
• D. A patient with a history of atrial tachycardia and fatigue.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is a patient with a history of ventricular tachycardia and syncopal episodes. An automatic internal cardioverter-defibrillator is used to deliver an electric shock to the heart to terminate episodes of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. These patients are at high risk of life-threatening arrhythmias, which may result in syncope. Patients with atrial tachycardia and fatigue (Choice D) would not typically require an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator as their primary issue is related to atrial arrhythmias. Patients who have had a myocardial infarction without cardiac muscle damage (Choice A) or postoperative coronary bypass patients recovering on schedule (Choice B) are not necessarily at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias and would not be the primary candidates for an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator.

2. The nurse is assessing an infant with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Which finding would the nurse anticipate?

• A. Unequal leg length
• B. Limited adduction
• C. Diminished femoral pulses
• D. Symmetrical gluteal folds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), one of the key findings is unequal leg length. This occurs due to the dislocation of the hip joint, where the ball is loose in the socket. Limited adduction, the inability to bring the hip and knee towards the midline of the body, is also a common finding in DDH. Diminished femoral pulses are not typically associated with DDH, as it primarily affects the skeletal structure rather than vascular supply. Symmetrical gluteal folds are normal in infants and do not indicate DDH, as asymmetry in gluteal folds can be a sign of hip dislocation.

3. A client with Multiple Sclerosis reports a constant, burning, tingling pain in the shoulders. The nurse anticipates that the physician will order which medication for this type of pain?

• A. alprazolam (Xanax)
• B. Corticosteroid injection
• C. gabapentin (Neurontin)
• D. hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: For neuropathic pain associated with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, medications like gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, are commonly used. Gabapentin helps in managing nerve pain by stabilizing electrical activity in the brain and nervous system. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety and not primarily indicated for neuropathic pain. Corticosteroid injections are more suitable for inflammatory conditions like arthritis, not for neuropathic pain. Hydrocodone/acetaminophen is an opioid combination used for moderate to severe pain, but it is not the first-line choice for neuropathic pain.

4. When administering a shot of Vitamin K to a 30-day-old infant, which of the following target areas is the most appropriate?

• A. Gluteus maximus
• B. Gluteus minimus
• C. Vastus lateralis
• D. Vastus medialis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When administering medications to infants, it is common to use the vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh for injections. The preferred site is the junction of the upper and middle thirds of the vastus lateralis muscle. This area provides a good muscle mass for the injection and minimizes the risk of hitting nerves or blood vessels. The gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus are not typically used for infant injections due to the risk of injury to the sciatic nerve. The vastus medialis is not as commonly used as the vastus lateralis for infant injections.

5. The health care provider writes an order for bacteriologic testing for a patient who has a positive tuberculosis skin test. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Teach about the reason for the blood tests.
• B. Schedule an appointment for a chest x-ray.
• C. Teach about the need to get sputum specimens for 2 to 3 consecutive days.
• D. Instruct the patient to expectorate three specimens as soon as possible.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to teach the patient about the need to collect sputum specimens for 2 to 3 consecutive days for bacteriologic testing for M. tuberculosis. It is important to obtain these specimens on different days rather than all at once. Blood tests are not used for tuberculosis testing, so teaching about blood tests is not relevant. While a chest x-ray is important in tuberculosis diagnosis, it is not a bacteriologic test. The appearance on a chest x-ray alone is not sufficient to diagnose TB as other diseases can have similar findings.

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