Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional realizes after a patient has left the office that they forgot to document the patient's complaint of a sore throat. Which of the following choices would BEST correct the error?

• A. Pull out that page of the chart and rewrite it with the correct information.
• B. Put one line through the original Chief Complaint, write 'ERROR,' your initials, and today's date. Make the correction by rewriting the Chief Complaint with the correct information.
• C. Go to the next available line of the SOAP notes. Write the current date, then write 'Late Entry.' Place the date and time when the patient stated they had a sore throat. Sign and date the entry.
• D. All of the above are incorrect.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When adding information to a patient's chart after the encounter, using the term 'Late Entry' is essential. This clearly indicates that the information was added after the fact and helps to maintain the accuracy and integrity of the medical record. Option A is incorrect because removing a page from the chart and rewriting it can lead to inaccuracies and is not a recommended practice for correcting errors. Option B suggests marking the original Chief Complaint as an error, which may not be clear to future readers of the chart and could lead to confusion. Option D is incorrect as it dismisses the correct approach outlined in Option C, which is the best way to handle the situation of missed documentation during a patient encounter.

2. To which of the following do the CDC Standard precautions recommendations apply?

• A. Patients with diagnosed infections only
• B. Blood or body fluids with visible blood only
• C. All body fluids including sweat
• D. All patients receiving care in hospitals

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'All patients receiving care in hospitals.' Standard precautions apply to all patients in healthcare settings, regardless of their infection status. These recommendations include all body fluids except sweat, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes. Choice A is incorrect as standard precautions are not limited to patients with diagnosed infections. Choice B is incorrect as standard precautions extend beyond blood or body fluids with visible blood. Choice C is incorrect as sweat is an exception to the body fluids covered under standard precautions.

3. The healthcare professional notices that a colleague is preparing to check the blood pressure of a patient who is obese by using a standard-sized blood pressure cuff. How would this likely affect the blood pressure reading?

• A. Yield a falsely low blood pressure
• B. Yield a falsely high blood pressure
• C. Be the same, regardless of cuff size
• D. Vary as a result of the technique of the person performing the assessment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Using a cuff that is too narrow for an obese patient would likely yield a falsely high blood pressure reading. This occurs because the standard cuff is too small for the arm's circumference, requiring more pressure to compress the artery. A tight cuff can lead to inaccurate and elevated blood pressure readings. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because using an improperly sized cuff would not yield a falsely low blood pressure, the blood pressure reading does vary with cuff size, and the technique of the person performing the assessment is not the primary factor affecting the reading in this situation.

4. A client is about to have a TENS unit attached for pain relief. Which of the following actions is most appropriate in this situation?

• A. Inform the client that he may experience tingling sensations.
• B. Connect the TENS unit before the client goes to bed for the night.
• C. Inform the client that the TENS unit may have pain-reducing effects for 10 to 15 days.
• D. After treatment, inform the client that he may not use a TENS unit again for at least 2 weeks.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When attaching a TENS unit for pain relief, it is essential to inform the client that he may experience tingling sensations. This is a common sensation experienced when using a TENS unit, but it should not cause muscle twitching. The therapeutic effects of a TENS unit usually last between 3 to 5 days. Choice B is incorrect because there is no specific recommendation to connect the TENS unit before bedtime. Choice C is incorrect as stating that the TENS unit may have pain-reducing effects for 10 to 15 days is inaccurate, as the effects typically last 3 to 5 days. Choice D is incorrect because there is no guideline suggesting that the client cannot use a TENS unit again for at least 2 weeks after treatment.

5. Improper placement of the hands under the rib cage when performing the Heimlich maneuver could result in:

• A. damage to the manubrium of the sternum.
• B. damage to the xiphoid process.
• C. damage to the coccyx.
• D. None of the above is possible, even with improper hand placement.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The xiphoid process is a small, cartilaginous extension at the inferior end of the sternum. Placing the hands improperly during the Heimlich maneuver too close to this process can result in it breaking off and potentially causing damage to internal organs. Choices A and C are incorrect because the manubrium of the sternum and the coccyx are not in the area where the hands would typically be placed during the Heimlich maneuver.

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