Nursing Elites

1. What immediate action should a healthcare worker take after being stuck in the hand by an exposed needle?

• A. Look up the policy on needle sticks
• B. Contact employee health services
• C. Immediately wash the hands thoroughly with soap and water
• D. Notify the supervisor and risk management

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct immediate action for a healthcare worker who has been stuck by an exposed needle is to wash the hands thoroughly with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. This helps to remove any potential pathogens introduced by the needle stick. Looking up the policy on needle sticks (Choice A) is important but not the immediate action required. Contacting employee health services (Choice B) and notifying the supervisor and risk management (Choice D) are crucial steps to take, but they should follow the initial step of washing the hands to mitigate the risk of infection.

2. When assessing a client’s heart sounds, the nurse hears a scratching sound during both systole and diastole. These sounds become more distinct when the nurse has the client sit up and lean forward. The nurse should document the presence of a:

• A. Pericardial friction rub
• B. Heart murmur
• C. S3 heart sound
• D. S4 heart sound

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A pericardial friction rub is characterized by a scratching sound that occurs during both systole and diastole. It becomes more distinct when the client is sitting up and leaning forward. This indicates an inflammation of the pericardial sac rubbing against the layers of the heart. Heart murmurs (choice B) are abnormal heart sounds caused by turbulent blood flow, not by friction like in a pericardial rub. S3 and S4 heart sounds (choices C and D) are additional heart sounds related to abnormal ventricular filling, not to pericardial friction rubs.

3. A client who had a cerebrovascular accident has persistent problems with dysphagia. The nurse caring for the client should initiate a referral with which of the following members of the interprofessional care team?

• A. Social worker
• B. Certified nursing assistant
• C. Occupational therapist
• D. Speech-language pathologist

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Speech-language pathologist. Speech-language pathologists specialize in assessing and treating dysphagia, which is a common issue following a cerebrovascular accident. They are trained to evaluate swallowing function and provide appropriate interventions to help clients improve their ability to swallow safely. Choice A, Social worker, is incorrect as their role does not typically involve addressing dysphagia specifically. Choice B, Certified nursing assistant, is not the appropriate professional to address dysphagia concerns as they do not have the training or scope of practice for this specialized area. Choice C, Occupational therapist, focuses more on activities of daily living and functional abilities rather than the specialized treatment of dysphagia.

4. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who is confused and continually grabs at the nurse. Which of the following is a nursing action?

• A. Firmly tell the client not to grab
• B. Redirect the client’s attention
• C. Use physical restraints
• D. Avoid contact with the client

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Redirecting the client's attention is the appropriate nursing action in this scenario. When dealing with a confused client exhibiting grabbing behavior, redirection can help shift their focus to a more appropriate activity or object. Firmly telling the client not to grab may escalate the situation and create a confrontational environment, which is not recommended when caring for confused clients. The use of physical restraints should be a last resort and only implemented after all other strategies have been exhausted, as they can contribute to increased agitation and distress in older adults. Avoiding contact with the client is not a proactive approach to managing the behavior and may lead to feelings of neglect or abandonment in the client.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has herpes zoster. The client asks about complementary and alternative therapies for pain control. The nurse should inform the client that this condition is a contraindication for which of the following therapies?

• A. Acupuncture
• B. Massage therapy
• C. Aromatherapy
• D. Herbal supplements

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Acupuncture. Acupuncture is contraindicated for clients with herpes zoster due to the risk of infection at the needle sites. In individuals with herpes zoster, the skin's integrity is compromised, increasing susceptibility to infections. Therefore, acupuncture, which involves inserting needles into the skin, can introduce pathogens and lead to local infections. Massage therapy (B), aromatherapy (C), and herbal supplements (D) do not involve skin penetration like acupuncture and are generally considered safe complementary therapies for pain control in clients with herpes zoster.

Similar Questions