Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a patient postoperatively after a thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings should be reported immediately?

• A. Hoarseness
• B. Difficulty swallowing
• C. Numbness in the fingers
• D. Tingling around the mouth

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Tingling around the mouth should be reported immediately as it may indicate hypocalcemia, a serious complication resulting from accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy. Hoarseness and difficulty swallowing are common post-thyroidectomy symptoms related to the surgery itself and the manipulation of the vocal cords and nearby structures. Numbness in the fingers is not typically associated with immediate serious complications of a thyroidectomy.

2. A newly licensed nurse is giving a change-of-shift report using I-SBAR to an oncoming nurse. Which of the following statements by the newly licensed nurse should be included in the 'Background' portion of the report?

• A. The client has a new prescription for incentive spirometry
• B. The client's partner plans to return later today
• C. The client has no living family members
• D. I initiated a consultation with a nutritionist

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the 'Background' portion of the report, the nurse should include relevant historical information about the client, such as the fact that the client has no living family members. This information helps provide a more comprehensive understanding of the client's situation. Choices A, B, and D are not typically included in the 'Background' section as they do not pertain to the client's history or background.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to four clients. The nurse should administer medications to which client first?

• A. A client who has pneumonia and a WBC count of 11,500/mm3 prescribed piperacillin
• B. A client who has renal failure and a serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L prescribed sodium polystyrene sulfonate
• C. A client who is post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) prescribed atorvastatin
• D. A client who has anemia and a hemoglobin level of 11g/dL prescribed epoetin alfa

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The client with renal failure and high potassium levels requires immediate attention because hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac complications. Administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate helps lower the potassium levels. Choice A, the client with pneumonia and a high WBC count, although important, does not present an immediate life-threatening condition. Choice C, the post-CABG client prescribed atorvastatin, and Choice D, the client with anemia and a hemoglobin level of 11g/dL prescribed epoetin alfa, do not require immediate intervention compared to managing hyperkalemia in a client with renal failure.

4. The nurse is evaluating a client who had a cardiac catheterization with a left antecubital insertion site. Which of the following pulses should the nurse palpate?

• A. Brachial pulse in the right arm
• B. Radial pulse in the right arm
• C. Brachial pulse in the left arm
• D. Radial pulse in the left arm

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to palpate the radial pulse in the left arm. When the antecubital insertion site is on the left side, it is important to assess the radial pulse on the same side to monitor circulation accurately. Palpating the brachial pulse in the right or left arm or the radial pulse in the right arm would not provide direct information about the circulation related to the catheterization site.

5. A nurse manager notices a discrepancy in a nurse's narcotics record. What is the appropriate action?

• A. Ask the nurse for clarification about the record.
• B. Report the discrepancy to the pharmacy.
• C. Report the issue to the nurse manager immediately.
• D. Ignore the discrepancy as a clerical error.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The appropriate action when a nurse manager notices a discrepancy in a nurse's narcotics record is to report the discrepancy to the pharmacy. Reporting such discrepancies is crucial to ensure accountability and patient safety. Choice A is incorrect because the nurse manager should not confront the nurse directly without proper investigation. Choice C is incorrect because reporting to the nurse manager may not address the issue effectively. Choice D is incorrect because ignoring the discrepancy can compromise patient safety and violates protocols.

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