Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is reviewing the medical record of a client who has hypocalcemia. The healthcare professional should identify which of the following findings as a risk factor for the development of this electrolyte imbalance?

• A. Crohn’s disease
• B. Postoperative status following appendectomy
• C. History of bone cancer
• D. Hyperthyroidism

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Crohn’s disease is known to impair calcium absorption, which can lead to hypocalcemia. This condition affects the intestines and can disrupt the normal absorption of nutrients, including calcium. Postoperative status following appendectomy, history of bone cancer, and hyperthyroidism are typically not directly associated with a higher risk of developing hypocalcemia compared to Crohn’s disease.

2. While instructing a male client's wife in the performance of passive range-of-motion exercises to his contracted shoulder, the nurse observes that she is holding his arm above and below the elbow. What nursing action should the LPN/LVN implement?

• A. Acknowledge that she is supporting the arm correctly.
• B. Encourage her to keep the joint covered to maintain warmth.
• C. Reinforce the need to grip directly under the joint for better support.
• D. Instruct her to grip directly over the joint for better motion.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Acknowledging that the client's wife is supporting the arm correctly is the appropriate nursing action in this scenario. By doing so, the nurse reinforces correct technique and promotes confidence. Choice B is incorrect as the issue is not about maintaining warmth. Choice C is incorrect as gripping directly under the joint is not necessary in this case. Choice D is incorrect as instructing to grip directly over the joint may not provide the best support for passive range-of-motion exercises.

3. When providing postmortem care to a client diagnosed with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) who has passed away, what type of precautions is appropriate to use?

• A. Airborne precautions
• B. Droplet precautions
• C. Contact precautions
• D. Compromised host precautions

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Contact precautions are the appropriate type to use when performing postmortem care for a client with MRSA. MRSA is primarily spread through direct contact, so using contact precautions helps prevent the transmission of the infection. Airborne precautions are not necessary for MRSA, as it is not transmitted through the air like tuberculosis or measles. Droplet precautions are used for diseases transmitted through respiratory droplets like influenza. Compromised host precautions are not a standard precaution type and are not specific to managing MRSA infection.

4. A client with a history of coronary artery disease is experiencing chest pain. What is the priority action for the LPN/LVN to take?

• A. Administer nitroglycerin sublingually.
• B. Obtain a 12-lead ECG.
• C. Measure the client's vital signs.
• D. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer nitroglycerin sublingually. Administering nitroglycerin sublingually is the priority action for a client with chest pain and a history of coronary artery disease. Nitroglycerin helps dilate the coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle and providing rapid relief of chest pain. Obtaining a 12-lead ECG, measuring vital signs, and administering oxygen are important actions but should follow the administration of nitroglycerin in the management of chest pain in a client with coronary artery disease.

5. The patient has been in bed for several days and needs to be ambulated. Which action will the nurse take first?

• A. Maintain a narrow base of support.
• B. Dangle the patient at the bedside.
• C. Encourage isometric exercises.
• D. Suggest a high-calcium diet.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take first when a patient needs to be mobilized after being in bed for several days is to dangle the patient at the bedside. Dangling at the bedside is the initial step to assess the patient's tolerance to sitting up and moving. It helps prevent orthostatic hypotension and allows the nurse to evaluate the patient's response to upright positioning before attempting further ambulation. Maintaining a narrow base of support (Choice A) is related to assisting with ambulation but is not the first step. Encouraging isometric exercises (Choice C) and suggesting a high-calcium diet (Choice D) are not immediate actions needed to initiate mobilization in this scenario.

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