Nursing Elites

1. A patient's serum potassium level is 2.2 mEq/L. Which nursing action is the highest priority for this patient?

• A. Start oxygen at 2 L/min
• B. Initiate cardiac monitoring
• C. Initiate seizure precautions
• D. Keep the patient on bed rest

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to initiate cardiac monitoring. Severe hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias, making cardiac monitoring the priority to detect and manage any cardiac complications. Starting oxygen, seizure precautions, or bed rest are not the immediate priority actions for severe hypokalemia.

2. What is the main purpose of quality improvement in healthcare?

• A. To increase healthcare costs
• B. To improve patient outcomes
• C. To decrease patient satisfaction
• D. To increase hospital stays

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main purpose of quality improvement in healthcare is to improve patient outcomes by enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare services. Choice A is incorrect because the goal is not to increase healthcare costs but to optimize resources and provide cost-effective care. Choice C is incorrect as the aim is to increase patient satisfaction through better outcomes. Choice D is incorrect as the objective is to reduce hospital stays by improving care efficiency and effectiveness.

3. Which of the following is an example of a chronic disease?

• A. Common cold
• B. Influenza
• C. Diabetes
• D. Food poisoning

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Diabetes is classified as a chronic disease because it is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management. Choices A, B, and D, which are the common cold, influenza, and food poisoning, are acute illnesses that typically resolve on their own without long-lasting implications.

4. A nurse manager is leading a discussion about ethical dilemmas. Which of the following situations should the nurse manager include as an example of an ethical dilemma?

• A. A visitor experiences a minor burn after spilling coffee
• B. A client receives an operation on the wrong side of her body
• C. A parent wants her 14-year-old adolescent to receive radiation treatment against his will
• D. A nurse witnesses another nurse administer an incorrect medication

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An ethical dilemma involves a situation where moral principles conflict, such as in the case of a parent wanting their adolescent to receive treatment against their will. In option A, a minor burn from spilled coffee does not present a conflict of moral principles. Option B describes a medical error, not necessarily a conflict of moral principles. Option D involves an issue of professional practice and patient safety but does not inherently pose a conflict of moral principles.

5. Which of the following new opportunities might a new nurse see in the future?

• A. Transitional care
• B. Traditional care
• C. Hospital-based care
• D. Care based on cost

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the future, new nurses may see opportunities in transitional care. Transitional care involves the coordination and continuity of healthcare during a movement from one healthcare setting to another. This type of care is increasingly important in today's healthcare landscape due to the focus on improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital readmissions. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not represent emerging opportunities for new nurses in the future. Traditional care and hospital-based care are existing models of care delivery, while care based solely on cost does not align with the holistic approach to patient care that is becoming more prevalent in healthcare.

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