Nursing Elites

1. A patient with Parkinson’s disease who takes levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) comes to the clinic for a semi-annual physical examination. Which question is the most important for that nurse to ask?

• A. Have you noticed any swelling in your feet?
• B. Are you having vivid dreams or hallucination?
• C. Have you noticed any changes in your stool?
• D. Have you had your flu vaccine?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Patients taking levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) are at increased risk for the psychiatric side effects of levodopa, including visual hallucinations, vivid dreams, nightmares, and paranoid ideation. The other questions are not directly related to problems that are likely to occur with this drug.

2. A parent of a child with oral candidiasis is being taught by a nurse. Which statement by the parent indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will boil the nipples and pacifiers for 20 minutes each day.
• B. I will stop the medication as soon as the spots disappear.
• C. I will apply an over-the-counter steroid cream to the spots.
• D. I will mix the medication in my child's bottle.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Boiling the nipples and pacifiers for 20 minutes each day is an appropriate measure to prevent reinfection of oral candidiasis. This practice helps eliminate the Candida fungus from these items, reducing the risk of the child getting reinfected. It is crucial for the parent to follow this hygienic practice consistently to ensure the child's recovery and prevent the spread of the infection.

3. A patient is taking a first-generation H1 blocker for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. It is most important for the nurse to assess for which adverse effect?

• A. Skin flushing
• B. Wheezing
• C. Insomnia
• D. Dry mouth

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Adverse Effect of Histamine – First Generation H1 blockers include dry mouth.

4. As a result of opioid administration, a child's respirations are slow and shallow. Which should the nurse anticipate when assessing the child's arterial blood gas?

• A. Increased PCO2 and respiratory acidosis
• B. Decreased PCO2 and respiratory alkalosis
• C. Low pH and low PCO2
• D. High pH and high PCO2

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a child's respirations are slow and shallow due to opioid administration, it results in hypoventilation. This leads to retaining carbon dioxide, indicated by an increased PCO2 level on arterial blood gas analysis, and subsequently causes respiratory acidosis due to the buildup of CO2 in the blood. Therefore, choice A, 'Increased PCO2 and respiratory acidosis,' is the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because slow and shallow respirations would not lead to decreased PCO2 or respiratory alkalosis (choice B), low pH and low PCO2 (choice C), or high pH and high PCO2 (choice D).

5. A parent of a school-age child is receiving discharge teaching following a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following instructions should be included by the nurse?

• A. Allow the child to bathe 6 hours after the procedure.
• B. Keep the child on bed rest for 12 hours.
• C. Maintain a pressure dressing on the site for 8 hours.
• D. Resume regular activities the day after the procedure.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct instruction that the nurse should include is to keep the child on bed rest for 12 hours following a cardiac catheterization. This is important to prevent bleeding at the insertion site and ensure proper healing. Allowing the child to bathe soon after the procedure, maintaining a pressure dressing for only 8 hours, or resuming regular activities the day after the procedure can increase the risk of complications such as bleeding or infection.

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