Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to listen to the apical heart rate in the area of the mitral valve in an adult client. The nurse should place the stethoscope on which part of the client's chest?

• A. Second left interspace
• B. Second right interspace
• C. Left lower sternal border
• D. Fifth left interspace at the midclavicular line

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct placement for auscultating the apical heart rate in the area of the mitral valve is the fifth left interspace at the midclavicular line. Placing the stethoscope in the second left interspace would be to listen to the pulmonic valve, the second right interspace is for the aortic valve, and the left lower sternal border is for the tricuspid valve.

2. An older client reports that she has been awakening during the night, awakes early in the morning and is unable to fall back to sleep, and feels sleepy during the daytime. Based on these reported data, what should the nurse do?

• A. Encourage the client to consume stimulants such as caffeinated coffee or tea during the daytime hours.
• B. Ask the registered nurse to obtain a prescription for a nighttime sedative.
• C. Report the findings to the registered nurse.
• D. Document the findings in the medical record.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Age-related changes in sleep include reduced sleep efficiency, increased incidence of nocturnal awakening, increased incidence of early-morning awakening, and increased daytime sleepiness. Since the reported data are normal age-related changes, the appropriate action for the nurse would be to document the findings in the medical record. Reporting the findings to the registered nurse is unnecessary as these changes are expected with aging and do not indicate a need for immediate intervention. Prescribing sedatives should be avoided as a first-line approach due to potential side effects and risks, especially in older adults. Encouraging the consumption of stimulants like caffeinated beverages during the daytime may further disrupt sleep patterns, which is counterproductive in addressing the client's reported sleep issues.

3. A nurse is caring for an older client who has a bronchopulmonary infection. The nurse monitors the client's ability to maintain a patent airway because of which factor involved in the normal aging process?

• A. Increased respiratory system compliance
• B. Decreased number of alveoli and increased function of those remaining
• C. Decreased older client's ability to clear secretions
• D. Increased production of surfactant

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Decreased older client's ability to clear secretions.' Respiratory changes related to the normal aging process decrease an older adult's ability to clear secretions and protect the airway. In healthy older adults, the number of alveoli does not change significantly; their structure, however, is altered. Respiratory system compliance decreases with advancing age because of a progressive loss of elastic recoil of the lung parenchyma and conducting airways, and reduced elastic recoil of the lung and opposing forces of the chest wall. Production of surfactant in the lung does not usually decrease with aging, nor does it increase. However, the production of alveolar cells responsible for surfactant production is diminished. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect because respiratory system compliance decreases with aging. Choice B is incorrect as the number of alveoli does not significantly decrease in healthy older adults. Choice D is incorrect as the production of surfactant does not usually decrease with aging.

4. When preparing to assist the healthcare provider in examining a client's skin with the use of a Wood light, what action should the nurse perform?

• A. Darken the room
• B. Obtain informed consent from the client
• C. Obtain a scalpel and a slide for diagnostic evaluation
• D. Obtain medication to anesthetize the skin area before proceeding with the examination

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When using a Wood light during a skin examination, the room should be darkened to enhance the visibility of fluorescence. The Wood light emits long-wavelength ultraviolet light, highlighting certain skin conditions. Darkening the room aids in better visualization. Obtaining informed consent is a crucial aspect of healthcare but not directly related to using a Wood light. Obtaining a scalpel and a slide is unnecessary for a noninvasive Wood light examination. Anesthetizing the skin area is not required as the procedure is painless and noninvasive.

5. What are the basic reasons American families are having difficulty adequately performing their vital health care function?

• A. structure of the health care system and family structure
• B. psychological factors affecting men and women seeking health care
• C. conditions labeled as disabilities and considered too time-consuming
• D. health care organizations (HMOs) and disconnected families

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the 'structure of the health care system and family structure'. Scholars suggest that the reasons families are having difficulty providing health care for their members lie with both the structure of the health care system and the family structure. Major factors explaining differences in utilization patterns of medical services include the lack of healthcare insurance coverage, lack of services for special populations (such as teenage males), perception by families of the health care system and the health care provider, and lack of partnership between health care providers and families in mutually addressing health care issues. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not address the fundamental reasons related to the health care system and family structure as discussed in the provided extract.

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