Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has been in a motor vehicle crash and has a minor traumatic brain injury (TBI). What finding should the nurse recognize as a complication and report to the provider?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Vomiting
• C. Drainage from the ear
• D. Unequal pupils

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Unequal pupils are a sign of increased intracranial pressure or worsening brain injury, indicating a serious complication that requires immediate medical attention. Hypertension, vomiting, and drainage from the ear are not typically associated with minor traumatic brain injury complications; therefore, they are not the priority findings to report to the provider.

2. A client has a stool culture positive for C. difficile. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Place the client in a negative pressure room
• B. Use alcohol-based hand rub after providing care
• C. Wear a face shield before entering the room
• D. Place the client in a private room

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When caring for a client with a C. difficile infection, it is essential to isolate them in a private room to prevent the spread of spores through contact with surfaces. Placing the client in a negative pressure room (Choice A) is not necessary for C. difficile. Using alcohol-based hand rub (Choice B) and wearing a face shield (Choice C) are important infection control measures but are not specific to the isolation requirements for C. difficile.

3. A nurse is admitted to a psychiatric unit and fails to follow her medication regimen. What does this behavior indicate?

• A. Early cognitive impairment
• B. Lack of motivation
• C. Lack of health literacy
• D. Worsening health state

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Lack of health literacy.' The nurse's inability to follow the medication regimen suggests she may lack health literacy, meaning she may not fully understand how to manage her own health care. Choice A, 'Early cognitive impairment,' is not supported by the information provided in the question as there is no mention of cognitive decline. Choice B, 'Lack of motivation,' is less likely as the behavior is more indicative of a knowledge deficit rather than a lack of drive. Choice D, 'Worsening health state,' is also less likely as the behavior described does not directly imply a worsening health condition but rather a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge on managing health.

4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client newly prescribed methadone. Which statement indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. I understand methadone slows my breathing.
• B. I understand methadone may cause me to have trouble sleeping.
• C. I will avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
• D. I’ll change positions slowly to prevent dizziness.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Trouble sleeping is not a typical side effect of methadone; the nurse should clarify this misunderstanding. Choices A, C, and D are all correct statements regarding methadone. Methadone can indeed slow breathing, so it is important for the client to be aware of this effect. Avoiding alcohol while taking methadone is crucial due to the increased risk of central nervous system depression when alcohol is combined with methadone. Additionally, changing positions slowly can help prevent dizziness, which can be a side effect of methadone.

5. A nurse receives a change-of-shift report. Which of the following clients should the nurse attend to first?

• A. A client who reports tingling in the fingers following a thyroidectomy
• B. A client who has dark, foul-smelling urine with a urine output of 320 mL in the last 8 hr
• C. A client who is in a long leg cast and reports cool feet bilaterally
• D. A client who has a productive cough and an oral temperature of 36°C (96.8°F)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Cool feet bilaterally in a client with a long leg cast may indicate compromised circulation, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Choices A, B, and D do not present immediate life-threatening conditions. Tingling in the fingers following a thyroidectomy may indicate hypocalcemia but does not require immediate attention. Dark, foul-smelling urine with decreased urine output indicates a possible urinary tract infection or dehydration but can be addressed after attending to the client with compromised circulation. A productive cough and a normal oral temperature do not suggest an urgent condition compared to compromised circulation in a client with a long leg cast.

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