Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare provider is assisting with mass casualty triage following an explosion at a local factory. Which of the following clients should the healthcare provider identify as the priority?

• A. A client who has massive head trauma
• B. A client who has full-thickness burns to the face and trunk
• C. A client with indications of hypovolemic shock
• D. A client with an open fracture of the lower extremity

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a mass casualty situation, a client with hypovolemic shock should be the priority as they require immediate intervention to restore fluid volume and prevent further deterioration. Hypovolemic shock can lead to organ failure and death if not addressed promptly. While clients with other severe conditions like massive head trauma, full-thickness burns, or an open fracture also need urgent care, hypovolemic shock directly threatens the client's life due to inadequate circulating blood volume. Therefore, stabilizing the client with indications of hypovolemic shock takes precedence over others in this scenario.

2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. You should avoid consuming foods high in vitamin K.
• B. Take this medication at the same time each day.
• C. Monitor for signs of bruising and bleeding.
• D. Have your INR checked every 4 weeks.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct instruction the nurse should include is to advise the client to avoid consuming foods high in vitamin K. Foods rich in vitamin K, such as leafy greens, can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin, an anticoagulant medication. Therefore, it is important for clients on warfarin therapy to maintain consistent vitamin K intake to keep their INR levels stable. The other options are also important but not the priority in the context of warfarin therapy. Ingesting foods high in vitamin K can affect the medication's efficacy, making it crucial to highlight this dietary consideration during client education.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who is comatose and has advance directives that indicate the client does not want life-sustaining measures. The client's family wants the client to have life-sustaining measures. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Arrange for an ethics committee meeting to address the family's concerns
• B. Support the family's decision and initiate life-sustaining measures
• C. Complete an incident report
• D. Encourage the family to contact an attorney

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should arrange for an ethics committee meeting to address the family's concerns while ensuring the client's wishes are respected. Choosing option A allows for a formal discussion involving healthcare professionals, family members, and possibly a legal expert to navigate the situation ethically and legally. Supporting the family's decision to initiate life-sustaining measures (option B) would disregard the client's advance directives and autonomy. Completing an incident report (option C) is not appropriate in this situation as it does not address the conflict of interest between the family's desires and the client's wishes. Encouraging the family to contact an attorney (option D) may escalate the situation unnecessarily before exploring more ethical and collaborative approaches.

4. A client with heart failure is being assessed by a nurse. Which of the following findings indicates the client is experiencing fluid overload?

• A. Dry, hacking cough
• B. Bounding peripheral pulses
• C. Decreased urinary output
• D. Weight loss of 1 kg in 24 hours

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In clients with heart failure, decreased urinary output is a classic sign of fluid overload. The kidneys try to compensate for the increased volume by reducing urine output, leading to fluid retention. A dry, hacking cough (choice A) is more indicative of heart failure complications like pulmonary edema. Bounding peripheral pulses (choice B) are a sign of increased volume, but not specifically fluid overload. Weight loss of 1 kg in 24 hours (choice D) is not indicative of fluid overload but rather rapid fluid loss.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Serosanguineous drainage on the surgical dressing.
• B. Heart rate of 88/min.
• C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg.
• D. Temperature of 38.8°C (101.8°F).

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A temperature of 38.8°C (101.8°F) is above the normal range and may indicate infection, which should be reported. Elevated temperature postoperatively can be a sign of infection, especially in the early postoperative period. Serosanguineous drainage on the surgical dressing is expected in the early postoperative period. A heart rate of 88/min and a blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg are within normal ranges and do not necessarily indicate a complication postoperatively.

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