Nursing Elites

1. When reassigned to the emergency department, a nurse should understand that gastric lavage is a priority in which situation?

• A. An infant who has been identified to have botulism
• B. A toddler who ate a number of ibuprofen tablets
• C. A preschooler who swallowed powdered plant food
• D. A school-aged child who took a handful of vitamins

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because gastric lavage is a priority for infants with botulism to remove toxins from the stomach. Botulism is a serious condition caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Gastric lavage helps in removing the toxin from the stomach. Choice B is incorrect because gastric lavage is not typically indicated for ibuprofen ingestion. Choice C is incorrect because gastric lavage is not the first-line treatment for ingesting powdered plant food. Choice D is incorrect because gastric lavage is not routinely performed for vitamin ingestion.

2. A client is being maintained on heparin therapy for deep vein thrombosis. The nurse must closely monitor which of the following laboratory values?

• A. Bleeding time
• B. Platelet count
• C. Activated PTT
• D. Clotting time

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Activated PTT is the correct lab value to monitor for clients on heparin therapy. Activated PTT (partial thromboplastin time) helps assess the effectiveness of heparin therapy by measuring the time it takes for blood to clot. Monitoring activated PTT ensures that the client is within the therapeutic range of heparin to prevent both clotting and bleeding complications. Bleeding time (Choice A) and platelet count (Choice B) are not specific indicators of heparin therapy effectiveness. Clotting time (Choice D) is not as sensitive as activated PTT in monitoring heparin therapy.

3. A client has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As the nurse enters the client's room, the oxygen is running at 6 liters per minute, the client's color is flushed, and his respirations are 8 per minute. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Obtain a 12-lead EKG
• B. Place the client in high Fowler's position
• C. Lower the oxygen rate
• D. Take baseline vital signs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a client with COPD, it is crucial to prevent carbon dioxide retention by avoiding high oxygen levels. As the client's oxygen is running at 6 liters per minute and he is showing signs of oxygen toxicity, such as flushed color and low respirations, the nurse's priority should be to lower the oxygen rate. This action helps prevent worsening the client's condition. Obtaining an EKG, placing the client in high Fowler's position, or taking baseline vital signs are important assessments but addressing the potential oxygen toxicity takes precedence in this scenario.

4. Which of these clients with associated lab reports is a priority for the nurse to report to the public health department within the next 24 hours?

• A. An infant with a positive stool culture for Shigella
• B. An elderly factory worker with a positive lab report for acid-fast bacillus smear
• C. A young adult commercial pilot with a positive histopathological examination for Pneumocystis carinii from an induced sputum
• D. A middle-aged nurse with a history of varicella-zoster virus and crops of vesicles on an erythematous base appearing on the skin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because a positive acid-fast bacillus smear in an elderly factory worker suggests tuberculosis, a serious communicable disease that must be reported promptly to the public health department to prevent its spread. Choice A is incorrect as Shigella is an important pathogen, but it does not require immediate public health reporting. Choice C is incorrect because Pneumocystis carinii is an opportunistic pathogen and does not require urgent public health reporting. Choice D is incorrect as varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox and shingles, both of which are not reportable diseases to the public health department.

5. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about reliable sources of Vitamin B12 with a client who is pregnant. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend in the teaching?

• A. Figs
• B. Broccoli
• C. Stewed tomatoes
• D. Skim milk

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Skim milk is a reliable source of Vitamin B12, which is essential for the health of both the mother and the developing fetus. While figs, broccoli, and stewed tomatoes are nutritious foods, they are not significant sources of Vitamin B12. Figs are a good source of fiber and other vitamins, broccoli is rich in Vitamin C and K, and stewed tomatoes are high in Vitamin C and antioxidants, but they do not contain Vitamin B12 as much as skim milk does.

Similar Questions