Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving radiation therapy. Which of the following side effects should the nurse monitor for?

• A. Fatigue
• B. Hair loss
• C. Nausea
• D. Dry mouth

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, dry mouth. Dry mouth is a common side effect of radiation therapy due to damage to the salivary glands. It is essential for the nurse to monitor for this condition as it can lead to oral health issues and discomfort. Fatigue (choice A) is a common side effect of radiation therapy, but in this case, dry mouth is a more specific side effect to monitor for. Hair loss (choice B) is more commonly associated with chemotherapy rather than radiation therapy. Nausea (choice C) is also a common side effect of radiation therapy, but dry mouth is a more direct effect of the treatment that the nurse should focus on monitoring.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a pulmonary embolism. The nurse should identify the effectiveness of the treatment by observing which of the following?

• A. A chest x-ray reveals increased density in all fields
• B. The client reports feeling less anxious
• C. Diminished breath sounds are auscultated bilaterally
• D. ABG results include pH 7.48, PaO2 77 mm Hg, and PaCO2 47 mm Hg

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because when a client reports feeling less anxious, it suggests that the treatment for a pulmonary embolism is effective. This is a good indicator of the client's overall well-being and response to treatment. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because a chest x-ray revealing increased density in all fields, diminished breath sounds auscultated bilaterally, and ABG results showing specific values do not directly correlate with the effectiveness of treatment for a pulmonary embolism. While these assessments are important for monitoring the client's condition, the client's subjective report of feeling less anxious provides a more direct insight into the impact of the treatment.

3. A client is receiving brachytherapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Cleanse equipment before removal from the client's room
• B. Limit the client's visitors to 30 minutes per day
• C. Discard the client's linens in a double bag
• D. Discard the radioactive source in a biohazard bag

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take when caring for a client receiving brachytherapy is to limit the client's visitors to 30 minutes per day. This is crucial to reduce exposure to radiation and maintain safety during the brachytherapy procedure. Cleansing equipment before removal from the client's room may be important for infection control but is not directly related to brachytherapy procedures. Discarding the client's linens in a double bag and discarding the radioactive source in a biohazard bag are incorrect choices as they do not specifically address the safety measures needed during brachytherapy for prostate cancer.

4. A client with cancer is about to receive low-dose brachytherapy via a vaginal implant. What intervention should be included in the care plan?

• A. Remove vaginal packing.
• B. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
• C. Ambulate the client four times daily.
• D. Keep the client NPO until therapy is complete.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention that should be included in the care plan for a client about to receive low-dose brachytherapy via a vaginal implant is to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. This is crucial to prevent bladder distention during brachytherapy, ensuring the treatment's effectiveness and the client's comfort. Removing vaginal packing (Choice A) may not be necessary or appropriate in this situation. Ambulating the client four times daily (Choice C) is a good nursing intervention for general patient care but is not specifically related to brachytherapy via a vaginal implant. Keeping the client NPO until therapy is complete (Choice D) is not necessary unless specifically indicated due to the treatment's nature or the client's condition.

5. A nurse is completing an incident report after a client fall. Which of the following competencies of Quality and Safety Education for Nurses is the nurse demonstrating?

• A. Quality improvement
• B. Patient safety
• C. Evidence-based practice
• D. Informatics

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Quality improvement. Completing an incident report after a client fall aligns with the quality improvement competency of QSEN, as it involves identifying a system issue (fall incident) that needs to be addressed to enhance the quality of care. Choice B, patient safety, focuses more on preventing harm to patients rather than the systematic improvement process. Choice C, evidence-based practice, pertains to integrating research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values in decision-making, which is not directly related to incident reporting. Choice D, informatics, involves using technology and data to support decision-making and improve patient care, which is not the primary focus when completing an incident report.

Similar Questions