Nursing Elites

1. A nurse working on an endocrine unit should see which client first?

• A. An adolescent male with diabetes who is arguing about his insulin dose.
• B. An older client with Addison’s disease whose current blood sugar level is 62mg/dl (3.44 mmol/l).
• C. An adult with a blood sugar of 384mg/dl (21.31mmol/l) and urine output of 350 ml in the last hour.
• D. A client taking corticosteroids who has become disoriented in the last two hours.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The client with Addison’s disease and a blood sugar level of 62mg/dl (3.44 mmol/l) is experiencing hypoglycemia, which can progress to adrenal crisis. This situation requires immediate attention to prevent further complications. Choices A, C, and D, although concerning, do not pose an immediate life-threatening risk compared to the client with Addison’s disease and hypoglycemia. The adolescent arguing about his insulin dose can be addressed after stabilizing the client with Addison’s disease. The adult with high blood sugar and increased urine output may have hyperglycemia but is not in immediate danger. The client taking corticosteroids who is disoriented needs evaluation but is not in an acute life-threatening condition as the client with hypoglycemia.

2. A client receives a prescription for acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) 1.4 grams per nasogastric tube q4 hours. Acetylcysteine is available as a 10% solution (10 grams/100ml). How many ml of the 10% solution should the nurse administer per dose?

• A. 7
• B. 10
• C. 14
• D. 1.4 grams of acetylcysteine is equivalent to 14 ml of a 10% solution.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: To determine the amount of the 10% acetylcysteine solution to administer, convert the 1.4 grams to milligrams (1.4 grams = 1400 mg). Then, as the 10% solution contains 10 grams (10,000 mg) per 100 ml, it means there are 1000 mg of acetylcysteine in every 10 ml of the solution (10,000 mg / 100 ml = 100 mg/ml). Therefore, to administer 1400 mg (1.4 grams) of acetylcysteine, the nurse should give 14 ml of the 10% solution. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not accurately convert the amount of acetylcysteine to the corresponding volume of the 10% solution.

3. After a client with leukemia undergoes a bone marrow biopsy and is found to have thrombocytopenia, which nursing assessment is most important following the procedure?

• A. Observe the aspiration site
• B. Assess body temperature
• C. Monitor skin elasticity
• D. Measure urinary output

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to observe the aspiration site. Thrombocytopenia, characterized by a low platelet count, increases the risk of bleeding. Therefore, monitoring the biopsy site for bleeding or hematoma is crucial to ensure early detection and intervention. Assessing body temperature (choice B) is not directly related to the increased bleeding risk associated with thrombocytopenia. Monitoring skin elasticity (choice C) and measuring urinary output (choice D) are important assessments but are not the priority in this situation where bleeding risk needs immediate attention.

4. When a UAP reports to the charge nurse that a client has a weak pulse with a rate of 44 beats per minute, what action should the charge nurse implement?

• A. Instruct the UAP to count the client's apical pulse rate for sixty seconds.
• B. Determine if the UAP also measured the client's capillary refill time.
• C. Assign a practical nurse (LPN) to determine if an apical radial pulse deficit is present.
• D. Notify the health care provider of the abnormal pulse rate and pulse volume.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the charge nurse to implement is to notify the health care provider of the abnormal pulse rate and pulse volume. A weak pulse with bradycardia (pulse rate of 44 beats per minute) requires immediate follow-up to investigate potential underlying issues. In this situation, it is crucial to involve the healthcare provider for further assessment and intervention. Instructing the UAP to count the client's apical pulse rate for sixty seconds (Choice A) may delay necessary actions. Determining capillary refill time (Choice B) is not directly related to addressing a weak pulse, and assigning an LPN to assess an apical radial pulse deficit (Choice C) is not as urgent as involving the healthcare provider.

5. When implementing a disaster intervention plan, which intervention should the nurse implement first?

• A. Initiate the discharge of stable clients from hospital units
• B. Identify a command center where activities are coordinated
• C. Assess community safety needs impacted by the disaster
• D. Instruct all essential off-duty personnel to report to the facility

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When implementing a disaster intervention plan, the first step the nurse should take is to identify a command center where activities are coordinated. This step is crucial for ensuring an organized and effective disaster response. Option A, initiating the discharge of stable clients, is not a priority during the initial phase of disaster response. Option C, assessing community safety needs, usually follows setting up a command center. Option D, instructing off-duty personnel to report, may be necessary but is not the primary intervention at the beginning of a disaster situation.

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