Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports increased pain following physical therapy. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask when assessing the quality of the client's pain?

• A. Is your pain constant or intermittent?
• B. What would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?
• C. Does the pain radiate?
• D. Is your pain sharp or dull?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When assessing the quality of pain, asking if the pain is sharp or dull helps the nurse understand the nature of the pain. Sharp pain is often associated with acute conditions like nerve irritation or injury, while dull pain may indicate a more chronic issue like inflammation or tissue damage. Choices A, B, and C focus on different aspects of pain assessment but do not specifically address the quality of pain, making them less relevant in this context.

2. Which of the following conditions would be well suited to the use of a nursing critical pathway?

• A. Foreign object in the ear
• B. Fever of unknown origin
• C. Hip replacement surgery
• D. Bacterial infection acquired in a foreign country

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A critical pathway is designed to track a patient's progress through a specific timeline, including assessments, interventions, treatments, and outcomes. Hip replacement surgery is well suited for a nursing critical pathway because it has a defined timeline with specific interventions and treatments aimed at achieving optimal functioning. Choices A, B, and D do not typically follow a structured timeline with predetermined interventions and outcomes, making them less suitable for a critical pathway.

3. A manager is prioritizing the following issues. Of the following issues, which should be considered urgent and important?

• A. The manager of physical therapy calls and complains about inappropriate behaviors of one of the staff nurses with one of his therapists.
• B. A staff nurse reports a pattern of malfunctioning IV pumps on the unit during her current shift, resulting in overdosing of medications.
• C. One of the staff nurses, who would have been an extra nurse for the next shift, calls in sick.
• D. A small group of staff nurses request a meeting to discuss initiating a scheduling committee.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because patient safety is a critical concern in healthcare settings. Malfunctioning IV pumps leading to medication overdosing poses a direct threat to patient safety and must be addressed urgently. Choice A involves interpersonal issues between staff members which are important but can be addressed in a less urgent manner compared to patient safety concerns. Choice C, a staff nurse calling in sick, is important for staffing but can be managed through existing protocols. Choice D, initiating a scheduling committee, is a routine operational matter that can be addressed at a later time and does not pose an immediate risk to patient safety.

4. A client with limited mobility in their lower extremities is at risk for skin breakdown. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent skin breakdown?

• A. Place the client in high-Fowler's position.
• B. Increase the client's intake of carbohydrates.
• C. Massage areas of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin tissue with unscented lotion.
• D. Have the client use a trapeze bar when changing position

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increase the client's intake of carbohydrates. Adequate nutrition, including carbohydrates, is essential for tissue repair and preventing skin breakdown. Placing the client in high-Fowler's position (choice A) may help with respiratory function but does not directly prevent skin breakdown. Massaging areas of darker skin (choice C) can cause further damage to the skin. Using a trapeze bar (choice D) may assist with changing positions but does not directly address skin breakdown prevention.

5. A client experiences an air emboli, resulting in a stroke, during an IV start. This can be classified as which type of risk?

• A. Patient dissatisfaction
• B. Medical-legal incident
• C. Medication error
• D. Diagnostic procedure

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Diagnostic procedure.' When a client experiences an air emboli leading to a stroke during an IV start, it falls under the category of a diagnostic procedure risk. This incident occurred during a procedure intended for diagnosis or evaluation. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Patient dissatisfaction refers to a client's discontent with care, service, or outcomes; a medical-legal incident involves legal issues related to healthcare practices; and a medication error pertains to mistakes in medication administration.

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