Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Serum calcium level of 8 mg/dL.
• B. Urine output of 60 mL/hr.
• C. Heart rate of 110/min.
• D. Temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F).

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A heart rate of 110/min is elevated and may indicate hypocalcemia, a potential complication following a thyroidectomy. Elevated heart rate can be a sign of hypocalcemia due to the close relationship between calcium levels and cardiac function. Option A, serum calcium level of 8 mg/dL, is within the normal range (8.5-10.5 mg/dL) and would not be a cause for concern post-thyroidectomy. Option B, urine output of 60 mL/hr, is within the normal range for urine output and not typically a priority finding post-thyroidectomy. Option D, a temperature of 37.5°C (99.5°F), is slightly elevated but not a critical finding post-thyroidectomy unless accompanied by other symptoms.

2. What is the best way to assess for fluid overload in a patient with heart failure?

• A. Check daily weight
• B. Check blood pressure
• C. Monitor heart sounds
• D. Assess for jugular vein distention

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to 'Check daily weight.' Monitoring daily weight is the most accurate method to assess for fluid overload in patients with heart failure. Weight gain can indicate fluid retention, a common issue in heart failure patients. Checking blood pressure (Choice B) can provide information about hemodynamic status but may not be as specific for fluid overload as monitoring weight. Monitoring heart sounds (Choice C) can provide information about cardiac function but may not directly assess fluid overload. Assessing for jugular vein distention (Choice D) can be a sign of increased central venous pressure but may not always correlate with fluid overload as accurately as daily weight checks.

3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Which of the following resources should the nurse provide?

• A. Personal blogs about managing diabetes medications.
• B. Food label recommendations from the Institute of Medicine.
• C. Diabetes medication information from the Physicians' Desk Reference.
• D. Food exchange lists for meal planning from the American Diabetes Association.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Food exchange lists are valuable resources for individuals with diabetes as they provide structured meal planning guidance. This helps individuals manage their diabetes effectively by controlling their carbohydrate intake. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because personal blogs may not provide reliable and evidence-based information, food label recommendations from the Institute of Medicine may not be specific for diabetes meal planning, and diabetes medication information from the Physicians' Desk Reference is not directly related to meal planning for diabetes management.

4. A client has a new prescription for digoxin. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

• A. You should take this medication on an empty stomach.
• B. You should avoid taking this medication with antacids.
• C. Take your pulse before taking this medication.
• D. You should contact your provider if you experience visual changes.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct statement for the nurse to include when teaching a client about digoxin is to 'Take your pulse before taking this medication.' This is essential because clients taking digoxin need to monitor their pulse to detect signs of bradycardia, a common adverse effect of the medication. Option A is incorrect because digoxin is usually recommended to be taken with food to avoid gastrointestinal upset. Option B is incorrect because antacids can interfere with the absorption of digoxin. Option D is incorrect because contacting the provider for visual changes is important, but monitoring the pulse is crucial for digoxin administration.

5. How should fluid balance be assessed in a patient with heart failure?

• A. Monitor daily weight
• B. Monitor input and output
• C. Check for edema
• D. Monitor blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In patients with heart failure, monitoring daily weight is the most accurate method for assessing fluid balance. Weight gain can indicate fluid retention, a common issue in heart failure patients. Monitoring input and output (B) is essential but may not always accurately reflect fluid balance. Checking for edema (C) is important as it can indicate fluid accumulation, but daily weight monitoring is more precise. Monitoring blood pressure (D) is important in heart failure management but does not directly assess fluid balance.

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