Nursing Elites

1. A nursing care plan states, 'Assist the patient to the bedside commode PRN.' When will this patient get this assistance to the commode?

• A. Whenever needed
• B. At bedtime
• C. During the night
• D. During the day

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Whenever needed.' The abbreviation 'PRN' stands for 'pro re nata,' which translates to 'as needed' or 'whenever necessary.' This means that the patient will receive assistance to the commode whenever they require it, based on their individual needs and condition. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because 'PRN' does not specify a specific time like bedtime, during the night, or during the day; instead, it indicates assistance based on the patient's needs.

2. The nurse is examining a 2-year-old child and asks, "May I listen to your heart now?"? Which critique of the nurse's technique is most accurate?

• A. Asking questions may enhance the child's autonomy.
• B. Asking the child for permission helps develop a sense of trust.
• C. This question is an inappropriate statement because children at this age like to have choices.
• D. Children at this age like to say, "No."? The examiner should not offer a choice when no choice is available.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Children at the age of 2 often like to assert their independence by saying "No."? In situations where there is actually no choice available, offering a false choice can lead to a lack of trust. It is important not to offer a choice when there isn't one, as doing so may undermine trust. While asking for permission can enhance autonomy and trust, offering a limited option like, "Shall I listen to your heart next or your tummy?"? may be a better approach. Therefore, the correct critique of the nurse's technique in this scenario is that children at this age tend to say "No,"? so the examiner should avoid offering a choice when there isn't a real alternative.

3. Which technique is correct when assessing the radial pulse of a patient?

• A. Palpate for 1 minute if the rhythm is irregular.
• B. Palpate for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 if the rhythm is regular.
• C. Palpate for 2 full minutes to detect any variation in amplitude.
• D. Palpate for 10 seconds and multiply by 6 if the rhythm is regular and the patient has no history of cardiac abnormalities.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing the radial pulse, if the rhythm is irregular, the pulse should be counted for a full minute to get an accurate representation of the pulse rate. In cases where the rhythm is regular, the recommended technique is to palpate for 15 seconds and then multiply by 4 to calculate the beats per minute. This method is more accurate and efficient for normal or rapid heart rates. Palpating for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2 is not as effective, as any error in counting results in a larger discrepancy in the calculated heart rate. Palpating for 2 full minutes is excessive and not necessary for routine pulse assessment. Palpating for 10 seconds and multiplying by 6 is not a standard technique and may lead to inaccuracies, especially in patients with cardiac abnormalities.

4. In which situation would the nurse use bimanual palpation technique?

• A. Palpating the thorax of an infant
• B. Palpating the kidneys and uterus
• C. Assessing pulsations and vibrations
• D. Assessing the presence of tenderness and pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Bimanual palpation involves using both hands to envelop or capture specific body parts or organs like the kidneys, uterus, or adnexa. This technique is particularly useful for assessing the size, shape, consistency, and mobility of deep organs like the kidneys and uterus. Palpating the thorax of an infant (Choice A) is usually done with a different technique like gentle, single-handed palpation. Assessing pulsations and vibrations (Choice C) and assessing tenderness and pain (Choice D) typically do not require the use of bimanual palpation, making Choices A, C, and D incorrect.

5. A child is admitted to the hospital several days after stepping on a sharp object that punctured her athletic shoe and entered the flesh of her foot. The physician is concerned about osteomyelitis and has ordered parenteral antibiotics. Which of the following actions is done immediately before the antibiotic is started?

• A. The admission orders are written.
• B. A blood culture is drawn.
• C. A complete blood count with differential is drawn.
• D. The parents arrive.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Before starting antibiotics, a blood culture should be drawn to identify the causative organism. This step is crucial as antibiotics may interfere with the identification process. Drawing a complete blood count with differential or writing admission orders are important steps in patient care but are not as critical as obtaining a blood culture to guide appropriate antibiotic therapy. The arrival of the parents is not directly related to the immediate action required before starting antibiotics in this scenario.

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