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. Round off these numbers to the nearest tenth:

• A. 5.5778 = 5.6, 1.027 = 1.0, 62.999 = 63, 55.123 = 55.1, 96.676 = 96.7
• B. 5.5778 = 5.6, 1.027 = 1.0, 62.999 = 63, 55.123 = 55.1, 96.676 = 96.7
• C. 5.5778 = 5.6, 1.027 = 1.0, 62.999 = 63, 55.123 = 55.1, 96.676 = 96.7
• D. 5.5778 = 5.6, 1.027 = 1.0, 62.999 = 63, 55.123 = 55.1, 96.676 = 96.7

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. When rounding off to the nearest tenth, 1.027 becomes 1.0 because the digit in the hundredth's place is less than 5. For the other numbers, they are rounded correctly to the nearest tenth: 5.5778 = 5.6, 62.999 = 63, 55.123 = 55.1, 96.676 = 96.7. Therefore, option B is the most accurate in rounding off these numbers to the nearest tenth. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not round 1.027 to 1.0 as required when rounding to the nearest tenth.

3. Which of the following most accurately describes a current concern in health care today?

• A. Health care-associated (nosocomial) infections continue to increase, not limited to health-care settings.
• B. Despite preventable deaths increasing from the opioid crisis, life expectancy in the United States has slightly risen over the last 2 years.
• C. Although adverse drug events persist, medication errors have not been completely eliminated through the use of electronic medication administration records.
• D. Gun violence has become a growing public health concern.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Gun violence has become a growing public health concern due to the increasing rates of injury and death caused by the misuse of firearms. Choice A is incorrect because health care-associated infections are not limited to health-care settings and continue to increase. Choice B is inaccurate as preventable deaths from the opioid crisis have not led to a rise in life expectancy in the United States. Choice C is incorrect as medication errors have not been completely eliminated despite the use of electronic medication administration records.

4. A nurse working in the emergency department is assessing several clients. Which of the following clients is the highest priority?

• A. A client who reports right-sided flank pain and is diaphoretic
• B. A client who has active bleeding from a puncture wound of the left groin area
• C. A client who has a raised red skin rash on his arms, neck, and face
• D. A client who reports shortness of breath and left neck and shoulder pain

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because shortness of breath with referred pain may indicate a serious condition, such as a cardiac event or pulmonary embolism, making this the highest priority. Option A, flank pain with diaphoresis, could suggest kidney-related issues but is not as immediately life-threatening as compromised breathing. Option B, active bleeding, though serious, can usually be controlled with proper interventions. Option C, a raised red skin rash, may indicate an allergic reaction but is not as urgent as respiratory distress with neck and shoulder pain.

5. Which patient is at greatest risk for papilledema?

• A. An elderly patient with cataracts and macular degeneration
• B. A male patient with hypothyroidism
• C. A male patient with hyperthyroidism
• D. An adolescent with a closed head injury

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An adolescent with a closed head injury is at the highest risk for papilledema due to increased intracranial pressure. Papilledema is often a consequence of elevated intracranial pressure, which can occur in conditions like head trauma. Choices A, B, and C do not directly correlate with an increased risk of papilledema compared to a closed head injury, which is more likely to lead to elevated intracranial pressure and subsequent papilledema.

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