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. An occupational health nurse in a factory is planning interventions to reduce environmental stressors for employees. Which of the following interventions should the nurse use to affect physical agents in the environment?

• A. Teach workers to choose personal strategies to cope with work stress
• B. Limit the amount of time workers spend in temperatures over 43.3°C (110°F)
• C. Provide ear plugs for use at workstations throughout the factory
• D. Obtain dosimeters for employees to wear when using new machinery that emits radiation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Limiting exposure to extreme temperatures is important to protect workers from heat-related illnesses.

3. A patient with a history of asthma is admitted with shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

• A. Administer a bronchodilator as prescribed.
• B. Encourage the patient to use an incentive spirometer.
• C. Place the patient in a high Fowler's position.
• D. Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation closely.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer a bronchodilator as prescribed. This intervention is the priority for a patient with asthma experiencing shortness of breath as it helps relax the airways, making breathing easier. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer (Choice B) is beneficial for lung expansion but not the priority in this acute situation. Placing the patient in a high Fowler's position (Choice C) can also help with breathing but is not as immediate as administering a bronchodilator. While monitoring the patient's oxygen saturation closely (Choice D) is important, the immediate action to address the breathing difficulty is administering a bronchodilator.

4. While assessing a migrant farm worker in a mobile health clinic, which of the following findings should the nurse identify as the priority?

• A. Report of back pain associated with twisting at the waist
• B. Absence of a dental health provider
• C. Lives in a home with 25 other migrant workers
• D. Report of muscle twitching and skin rash

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because muscle twitching and a rash could indicate pesticide poisoning, a serious condition that requires immediate attention in a migrant farm worker. Option A is not the priority as it could be musculoskeletal in nature and managed after addressing urgent issues. Option B, absence of a dental health provider, though important for overall health, is not an immediate priority. Option C, living with 25 other migrant workers, raises concerns about living conditions but does not present an immediate health threat compared to potential pesticide poisoning.

5. A nurse manager is presenting to a group of unit nurses the categories regulated under the Controlled Substances Act. Which of the following medications should the nurse include under Schedule II?

• A. Buprenorphine hydrochloride
• B. Hydrocodone bitartrate
• C. Diazepam
• D. Morphine

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hydrocodone bitartrate. According to the Controlled Substances Act, hydrocodone bitartrate is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and addiction. Diazepam (Choice C) and morphine (Choice D) are classified as Schedule IV and Schedule II controlled substances, respectively. Buprenorphine hydrochloride (Choice A) is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. Therefore, hydrocodone bitartrate should be included under Schedule II medications when discussing the categories regulated under the Controlled Substances Act.

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