Nursing Elites

1. A client wearing an arm cast reports numb fingers. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Place the arm in a dependent position
• B. Administer pain medication
• C. Check the client's circulation
• D. Apply a warm compress to the fingers

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to check the client's circulation. Numbness in the fingers may indicate compromised circulation or nerve damage. By assessing the circulation first, the nurse can ensure that the cast is not too tight, which could be cutting off blood flow. Option A is incorrect because placing the arm in a dependent position may worsen circulation issues. Option B is incorrect as administering pain medication does not address the underlying cause of numbness. Option D is incorrect as applying a warm compress could mask circulation issues and is not the priority in this situation.

2. A client who is 38 weeks pregnant with herpes simplex virus is admitted to labor and delivery. What question should the nurse ask?

• A. Do you have any active lesions?
• B. Have your membranes ruptured?
• C. How far apart are your contractions?
• D. Are you positive for beta strep?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct question the nurse should ask the client who is 38 weeks pregnant with herpes simplex virus is 'Do you have any active lesions?' This is crucial because active herpes lesions may necessitate a cesarean delivery to prevent neonatal infection. Choice B, 'Have your membranes ruptured?' is related to assessing for the rupture of membranes, not specific to the client's herpes infection. Choice C, 'How far apart are your contractions?' is related to monitoring labor progress. Choice D, 'Are you positive for beta strep?' is related to group B streptococcus screening, which is important but not the priority in this scenario.

3. During a skin assessment on a client with risk factors for skin cancer, a nurse should understand that a suspicious lesion is:

• A. Scaly and red
• B. Asymmetric with variegated coloring
• C. Firm and rubbery
• D. Brown with a wart-like texture

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Asymmetric with variegated coloring. An asymmetric lesion with variegated coloring, meaning different shades of color within the same lesion, is characteristic of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. This type of lesion should raise suspicions and prompt further evaluation. Choices A, C, and D do not typically represent characteristics of suspicious skin lesions associated with skin cancer. Lesions that are scaly and red (Choice A) may indicate other skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. Firm and rubbery lesions (Choice C) are more suggestive of benign skin growths like dermatofibromas. Lesions that are brown with a wart-like texture (Choice D) are often indicative of seborrheic keratosis, a benign growth, rather than a suspicious lesion related to skin cancer.

4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving oxytocin IV for labor augmentation. The client’s contractions are occurring every 45 seconds and lasting 90 seconds. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion
• B. Increase the oxytocin infusion
• C. Decrease the oxytocin infusion
• D. Maintain the oxytocin infusion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the client is experiencing uterine hyperstimulation with contractions every 45 seconds lasting 90 seconds. This frequency and duration of contractions can lead to fetal distress. The appropriate nursing action is to discontinue the oxytocin infusion immediately to prevent complications. Increasing or maintaining the oxytocin infusion would exacerbate the situation, while decreasing it may not be sufficient to address the issue effectively.

5. A nurse at a provider’s office is interviewing a client who has multiple sclerosis and has been taking dantrolene for several months. Which of the following client statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the medication is effective?

• A. “I don’t have muscle spasms as frequently.”
• B. “I haven’t gotten any colds, even though it is flu season.”
• C. “I feel like my nerve pain has improved.”
• D. “It is easier to urinate now.”

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: "I don’t have muscle spasms as frequently." The nurse should identify that dantrolene relaxes skeletal muscles, so a decrease in muscle spasms indicates the medication is effective. Choice B is incorrect as cold prevention is not related to dantrolene. Choice C is incorrect because nerve pain improvement is not a direct effect of dantrolene. Choice D is incorrect as dantrolene's action does not affect urination.

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