Nursing Elites

1. In which part of the plan of care should a nurse record the item 'Encourage patient to attend one psychoeducational group daily'?

• A. Assessment
• B. Analysis
• C. Planning
• D. Implementation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Implementation.' In the nursing process, implementation involves carrying out the planned interventions to meet the patient's goals. Encouraging the patient to attend a psychoeducational group daily is an intervention aimed at building social skills. Assessment (choice A) is the phase where data about the patient's condition is collected. Analysis (choice B) involves interpreting the gathered data. Planning (choice C) is where the nurse decides on the interventions to address the patient's needs. Therefore, in this scenario, recording the item 'Encourage patient to attend one psychoeducational group daily' would be part of the implementation phase.

2. A patient who was admitted the previous day with pneumonia complains of a sharp pain of 7 (based on a 0 to 10 scale) whenever taking a deep breath. Which action will the nurse take next?

• A. Auscultate breath sounds.
• B. Administer PRN morphine.
• C. Have the patient cough forcefully.
• D. Notify the patient's healthcare provider.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The patient's complaint of sharp pain when taking a deep breath is concerning for pleurisy or pleural effusion. The nurse should auscultate breath sounds to assess for a pleural friction rub or decreased breath sounds, which could indicate these conditions. It is crucial to gather assessment data before initiating any pain medications. Asking the patient to cough forcefully may exacerbate the pain and should be avoided until further assessment. Contacting the healthcare provider should be based on the assessment findings; therefore, it is premature to notify the provider without conducting a thorough assessment first.

3. The nurse assesses a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who has been admitted with increasing dyspnea over the last 3 days. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?

• A. Respirations are 36 breaths/minute.
• B. Anterior-posterior chest ratio is 1:1.
• C. Lung expansion is decreased bilaterally.
• D. Hyperresonance to percussion is present.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Respirations are 36 breaths/minute.' An increased respiratory rate is a crucial sign of respiratory distress in patients with COPD, necessitating immediate interventions like oxygen therapy or medications. The other options are common chronic changes seen in COPD patients. Option B, the 'Anterior-posterior chest ratio is 1:1,' is related to the barrel chest commonly seen in COPD due to hyperinflation. Option C, 'Lung expansion is decreased bilaterally,' is expected in COPD due to air trapping. Option D, 'Hyperresonance to percussion is present,' is typical in COPD patients with increased lung volume and air trapping.

4. A two-year-old child has sustained an injury to the leg and refuses to walk. The nurse in the emergency department documents swelling of the lower affected leg. Which of the following does the nurse suspect is the cause of the child's symptoms?

• A. Possible fracture of the tibia.
• B. Bruising of the gastrocnemius muscle.
• C. Possible fracture of the radius.
• D. No anatomic injury, the child wants his mother to carry him.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The child's refusal to walk, along with swelling of the lower leg, indicates a possible fracture, specifically of the tibia. Fractures can cause pain and swelling, leading to difficulty or refusal to bear weight on the affected limb. Choice B, bruising of the gastrocnemius muscle, would not typically result in the child refusing to walk. Choice C, a possible fracture of the radius, is less likely given the location of the swelling and the associated refusal to walk. Choice D, stating no anatomic injury and attributing the child's behavior to wanting to be carried by the mother, is incorrect as the physical findings suggest a potential fracture that needs to be evaluated further.

5. While auscultating a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document this finding?

• A. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
• B. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
• C. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
• D. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Inspiratory crackles at the bases.' Crackles are low-pitched, bubbling sounds typically heard during inspiration, which aligns with the nurse's finding. Expiratory wheezes are high-pitched sounds and are not consistent with the described auscultation findings. The lower third of both lungs refers to the bases, not the apices, so option C is incorrect. Pleural friction rubs are grating sounds heard during both inspiration and expiration, unlike the described finding of only hearing the sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs.

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