Nursing Elites

1. During a physical assessment of adult clients, which of the following techniques should the nurse use?

• A. Use the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) pain rating scale for a client experiencing pain.
• B. Palpate the client's abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds.
• C. Ensure the bladder of the blood pressure cuff surrounds 80% of the client's arm.
• D. Obtain an apical heart rate by auscultating at the third intercostal space to the left of the sternum.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When performing a physical assessment, it is essential to palpate the client's abdomen before auscultating bowel sounds. This sequence helps prevent altering bowel sound results due to the pressure applied during palpation. Choice A is incorrect because the FLACC pain rating scale is typically used for nonverbal or pediatric clients, not adults. Choice C is incorrect because the bladder of the blood pressure cuff should surround about 80% of the client's arm circumference, not the bladder of the cuff itself. Choice D is incorrect because to obtain an apical heart rate, auscultation should be done at the fifth intercostal space at the midclavicular line, not at the third intercostal space to the left of the sternum.

2. A nurse is discussing the responsibility of caring for clients with clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Have family members wear a gown and gloves when visiting.
• B. Clean contaminated surfaces in the client's room with a bleach solution.
• C. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when leaving the client's room.
• D. Assign the client to a room with a private bathroom.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When caring for clients with clostridium difficile infection, it is important to prevent the spread of the bacteria. Having family members wear a gown and gloves when visiting helps reduce the risk of transmission. Cleaning contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution, not phenol, is recommended to effectively kill the C. difficile spores. Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not sufficient, as it may not be effective against C. difficile spores. Assigning the client to a room with a private bathroom is more beneficial than a negative airflow system, as it helps prevent the spread of bacteria to other clients.

3. Which of the following is an example of an ethical dilemma in nursing?

• A. Choosing between two equally undesirable alternatives
• B. Reporting a colleague's unethical behavior
• C. Balancing patient confidentiality with the need to disclose information
• D. Deciding whether to comply with a patient's request that conflicts with professional ethics

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. An ethical dilemma in nursing involves deciding whether to comply with a patient's request that conflicts with professional ethics, balancing competing values and principles. Choices A, B, and C do not directly represent ethical dilemmas in nursing. Choice A describes a general ethical dilemma, choice B involves professional conduct rather than a dilemma, and choice C refers to a confidentiality issue rather than conflicting ethical principles.

4. 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.

5. In order to minimize or avoid negative outcomes as a result of the violation and disciplinary action, the employee should offer which of the following?

• A. Excuses
• B. Discipline
• C. Suggestions
• D. Rules

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In order to minimize or avoid negative outcomes resulting from a violation and disciplinary action, the employee should offer suggestions. By providing suggestions, the employee demonstrates a willingness to improve and prevent future occurrences. Offering excuses (choice A) may deflect responsibility and not address the issue at hand. Discipline (choice B) is the action taken by the employer, not the employee. Rules (choice D) are guidelines to follow, but in this context, offering suggestions for improvement is more relevant.

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