Nursing Elites

1. After delivering a healthy newborn 1 hour ago, a nurse notes a woman's radial pulse rate is 55 beats/min. What action should the nurse take based on this finding?

• A. Reporting the finding to the healthcare provider immediately
• B. Helping the woman stay in bed and rest
• C. Documenting the finding
• D. Performing active and passive range-of-motion exercises

Correct answer: C

Rationale: After delivery, bradycardia (pulse rate 50-70 beats/min) may occur, reflecting the large amount of blood returning to the central circulation after delivery of the placenta. The increase in central circulation results in increased stroke volume, allowing a slower heart rate to provide adequate maternal circulation. A pulse rate of 55 beats/min falls within the normal range post-delivery, so there is no need to notify the healthcare provider immediately. It is important for the client to remain on bed rest in the immediate postpartum period to prevent complications. While range-of-motion exercises are beneficial for a client on bed rest, it is not the priority based on the data provided. Therefore, the most appropriate nursing action is to document the finding for accurate record-keeping and monitoring of the client's condition.

2. According to Erik Erikson's developmental theory, which choice is a developmental task of the middle adult?

• A. Redefining self-perception and capacity for intimacy
• B. Making decisions concerning career, marriage, and parenthood
• C. Providing guidance during interactions with his children
• D. Verbalizing readiness to assume parental responsibilities

Correct answer: C

Rationale: According to Erikson's developmental theory, the primary developmental task of the middle adult is to achieve generativity. Generativity is the willingness to care for and guide others. Middle adults can achieve generativity with their own children or the children of close friends or through guidance in social interactions with the next generation. Providing guidance during interactions with his children aligns with this developmental task. Choices A, B, and D are not specific to the middle adult stage as they are tasks associated with young adults. Redefining self-perception and capacity for intimacy, making decisions concerning career, marriage, and parenthood, and verbalizing readiness to assume parental responsibilities are all developmental tasks of the young adult according to Erikson's theory.

3. Which of the following methods of contraception is able to reduce the transmission of HIV and other STDs?

• A. intrauterine device (IUD)
• B. Norplant
• C. oral contraceptives
• D. vaginal sponge

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is the vaginal sponge. The vaginal sponge is a barrier method of contraception that, when used with foam or jelly contraception, reduces the transmission of HIV and other STDs, as well as reducing the risk of pregnancy. Intrauterine devices (IUDs), Norplant, and oral contraceptives can prevent pregnancy but not the transmission of HIV and STDs. Clients using the contraceptive methods in Choices A, B, and C should be counseled to use a chemical or barrier contraceptive to decrease the transmission of HIV or STDs.

4. 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.

5. Which of the following solutions is routinely used to flush an IV device before and after the administration of blood to a client?

• A. 0.9% sodium chloride
• B. 5% dextrose in water solution
• C. Sterile water
• D. Heparin sodium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 0.9% sodium chloride. Normal saline is 0.9% sodium chloride, which has the same osmolarity as blood and does not cause cell lysis. Choices 2 and 3, 5% dextrose in water solution and sterile water, are hypotonic solutions that can lead to cell lysis. Choice 4, heparin sodium, is an anticoagulant and is not used for flushing IV devices before and after blood administration.

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