Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer a dose of sertraline. Which of the following should the healthcare professional assess first?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Heart rate
• C. Respiratory rate
• D. Mood changes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When administering sertraline, assessing blood pressure is crucial as this medication can potentially affect blood pressure levels. Monitoring blood pressure before giving sertraline helps ensure patient safety and allows for appropriate interventions if any significant changes are noted. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and mood changes are important assessments but are not typically the first priority when administering sertraline. While heart rate and respiratory rate can also be affected by sertraline, blood pressure assessment is a higher priority due to the medication's known effects on blood pressure regulation.

2. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes who is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse perform first?

• A. Administer insulin
• B. Give the client a carbohydrate snack
• C. Call for assistance
• D. Monitor blood glucose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to give the client a carbohydrate snack. When a client is experiencing hypoglycemia, the priority intervention is to raise their blood glucose levels quickly. Administering insulin (Choice A) would further lower the blood glucose levels and is contra-indicated in this situation. Calling for assistance (Choice C) may be necessary but is not the priority over addressing the low blood sugar. Monitoring blood glucose (Choice D) is important but not the initial action needed to raise blood glucose levels rapidly.

3. A nurse manager is teaching a group of employees about QSEN. What statement by an employee should the nurse manager identify as quality improvement?

• A. We should track the rate of hospital-acquired infections.
• B. We should evaluate patient satisfaction scores.
• C. We should start tracking how soon patients are discharged after laparoscopic versus open surgery.
• D. We should check the patient's temperature before discharge.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. QSEN focuses on quality improvement in healthcare. Tracking how soon patients are discharged after different types of surgeries helps in evaluating the quality of care provided and identifying areas for improvement. Choices A and B focus on monitoring outcomes but do not directly relate to quality improvement initiatives. Choice D is more about a routine assessment before discharge and does not involve a quality improvement process.

4. A nurse is assessing a client with a history of heart failure. Which of the following findings should the nurse monitor?

• A. Increased energy
• B. Peripheral edema
• C. Elevated heart rate
• D. Improved lung sounds

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Peripheral edema. In heart failure, the heart's inability to pump effectively can lead to fluid backup, causing swelling in the extremities, known as peripheral edema. Monitoring for peripheral edema is crucial as it is a common sign of worsening heart failure. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because increased energy, elevated heart rate, and improved lung sounds are not typical findings in heart failure. Increased energy is not usually associated with heart failure, an elevated heart rate may occur as a compensatory mechanism but is not a direct sign of heart failure, and improved lung sounds are not expected in heart failure which often presents with crackles or wheezes due to pulmonary congestion.

5. A nurse is caring for the mother of an adolescent who was killed in a motor-vehicle crash after a school event. The mother states, 'I never should have let him take the car. It's all my fault!' Which of the following responses by the nurse is appropriate?

• A. You had no way of knowing this would happen.
• B. Most parents blame themselves when losing a child.
• C. Tell me why you feel this is your fault.
• D. You appear to be feeling overwhelmed.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the most appropriate response because it encourages the mother to express her feelings and explore the reasons behind her guilt. This approach allows the mother to process her emotions effectively and address her grief. Choices A and B do not directly address the mother's feelings of guilt and may not help her work through her emotions. Choice D acknowledges the mother's emotional state but does not delve into the underlying issues causing her guilt and grief.

Similar Questions