Nursing Elites

1. A patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication. What should the nurse assess for?

• A. Check for compartment syndrome
• B. Increase the pain medication
• C. Prepare the patient for surgery immediately
• D. Administer a sedative to calm the patient

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correct answer: When a patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment compromises circulation and can lead to tissue damage. It is a surgical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Choice B is incorrect because simply increasing pain medication without identifying the cause of the unrelieved pain may mask symptoms of a serious issue like compartment syndrome. Choice C is incorrect as surgery would only be necessary if compartment syndrome is confirmed. Choice D is incorrect as administering a sedative does not address the underlying issue of unrelieved pain and may delay appropriate treatment.

2. A patient has a DNR (do-not-resuscitate) order but their family insists on resuscitation if necessary. What should the nurse do?

• A. Follow the family's wishes to resuscitate.
• B. Explain that the nurse must follow the DNR order.
• C. Ask the provider for clarification on the DNR.
• D. Call the ethics committee to discuss the situation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The nurse must follow the legal DNR order, even if the family insists on resuscitation. Respecting the patient's wishes is crucial in providing ethical care. Choice A is incorrect because the nurse should prioritize the patient's documented wishes over the family's requests. Choice C may cause unnecessary delays in care as the DNR order is a legal document. Choice D is not the initial action to take in this situation; the nurse should first address the conflict between the family's wishes and the patient's DNR order.

3. A nurse in an emergency department is preparing a change-of-shift report for an adult client who is transferring to a medical-surgical unit using the SBAR communication tool. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the report?

• A. The client has a do-not-resuscitate order.
• B. The client has a continuous IV of lactated Ringer's.
• C. The client was straight catheterized for 350 mL 2 hours ago.
• D. The client has Medicare insurance.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In an SBAR report, key information such as the client's do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status should be included as it directly impacts the client's care and treatment plan. Choices B and C are important details but may not be as critical for immediate care planning during the shift change. Choice D, the client having Medicare insurance, is important for billing purposes but does not directly impact the client's immediate care needs.

4. How should a healthcare provider respond to a patient who is exhibiting signs of acute myocardial infarction (AMI)?

• A. Calling for emergency assistance immediately
• B. Administering nitroglycerin as prescribed
• C. Monitoring the patient's cardiac rhythm
• D. Administering oxygen and preparing for ECG

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a patient is exhibiting signs of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the priority action is to call for emergency assistance immediately. This ensures that the patient receives prompt and appropriate care, including interventions such as administering oxygen, nitroglycerin, and monitoring cardiac rhythm. Administering nitroglycerin should only be done if prescribed by a healthcare provider after assessment and confirmation of AMI. Monitoring the patient's cardiac rhythm is important but not the initial action needed in this critical situation. Administering oxygen and preparing for an ECG are important interventions but should follow the immediate step of calling for emergency assistance.

5. A nurse is using the ecologic model for population health to develop interventions to address HIV in a community. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include to address financial factors affecting community health?

• A. Have adolescents lead peer discussions in schools about safe sexual practices
• B. Distribute condoms through remote community clinics
• C. Create commercial advertisements describing the long-term effects of HIV
• D. Include information about perinatal HIV transmission at prenatal education classes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Distributing condoms addresses financial barriers by providing access to essential protective measures in remote areas. Choice A focuses on education rather than direct intervention related to financial factors. Choice C involves advertising and not a direct intervention to address financial factors. Choice D pertains to education about HIV transmission rather than directly addressing financial barriers affecting community health.

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