Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is planning care of an adolescent who is postoperative following a lumbar laminectomy. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Limit the adolescent's visitors.
• B. Select the adolescent's food choices.
• C. Encourage the adolescent's guardian to assist with personal hygiene.
• D. Allow the adolescent to make decisions regarding their daily routine.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because after a lumbar laminectomy, the adolescent may need assistance with personal hygiene due to limited mobility and pain. Encouraging the guardian to assist with personal hygiene ensures proper care and prevents complications. Choice A is incorrect as limiting visitors may affect the adolescent's emotional well-being and support system. Choice B is incorrect as the adolescent should have autonomy in selecting their food choices as long as they align with their dietary restrictions post-surgery. Choice D is incorrect as the adolescent may need guidance and support in decision-making during the postoperative period.

2. The healthcare provider is developing a critical pathway for congestive heart failure (CHF). Which components are essential to include? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Expected length of stay
• B. Assigned healthcare team
• C. Patient outcomes
• D. Medical history

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In developing a critical pathway for congestive heart failure (CHF), it is essential to include patient outcomes. Patient outcomes help guide the care plan and ensure that interventions are effective. The expected length of stay is crucial to plan for resources but is not directly related to the critical pathway components. While the assigned healthcare team is important for care delivery, it is not a standard component of a critical pathway. Medical history is valuable for understanding the patient's background but is not a core component of a critical pathway.

3. A 26-year-old female with type 1 diabetes develops a sore throat and runny nose after caring for her sick toddler. The patient calls the clinic for advice about her symptoms and a blood glucose level of 210 mg/dL despite taking her usual glargine (Lantus) and lispro (Humalog) insulin. The nurse advises the patient to

• A. use only the lispro insulin until the symptoms are resolved
• B. limit calorie intake until the glucose is less than 120 mg/dL
• C. monitor blood glucose every 4 hours and notify the clinic if it continues to rise
• D. decrease carbohydrate intake until glycosylated hemoglobin is less than 7%

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should advise the patient to monitor her blood glucose every 4 hours and notify the clinic if it continues to rise. This is important because the patient is experiencing symptoms of an illness (sore throat and runny nose) that can lead to fluctuations in blood glucose levels. By monitoring frequently, any significant rise in blood glucose can be detected early, enabling prompt intervention. Choice A is incorrect because abruptly stopping glargine (Lantus) insulin can lead to uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Choice B is incorrect as limiting calorie intake is not the appropriate immediate action for managing high blood glucose levels. Choice D is also incorrect as adjusting carbohydrate intake based on glycosylated hemoglobin levels is not the immediate action needed in this acute situation.

4. Which nursing action can the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) working in the diabetic clinic?

• A. Measure the ankle-brachial index.
• B. Check for changes in skin pigmentation.
• C. Assess for unilateral or bilateral foot drop.
• D. Ask the patient about symptoms of depression.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Measure the ankle-brachial index. This task involves using a Doppler ultrasound device to assess blood flow, which can be safely delegated to UAP. Choices B, C, and D require a higher level of assessment and interpretation that should be performed by licensed nursing staff. Checking for changes in skin pigmentation (B) and assessing for foot drop (C) involve more complex assessments that require nursing judgment. Asking about symptoms of depression (D) involves a psychosocial assessment, which should be performed by licensed personnel qualified to address mental health concerns.

5. When facing problems that require immediate action, what organized method involving seven specific steps can nurses use for effective problem-solving?

• A. Nominal group technique
• B. Delphi method
• C. Problem-solving process
• D. Brainstorming

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Problem-solving process. The problem-solving process involving seven specific steps is a structured approach that nurses can utilize when immediate action is required. This method allows for a systematic and organized way of addressing urgent issues, ensuring a thorough and effective problem-solving approach. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not specifically refer to the structured method involving seven specific steps that nurses can follow for effective problem-solving.

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