Nursing Elites

1. After receiving change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first?

• A. 19-year-old with type 1 diabetes who has a hemoglobin A1C of 12%
• B. 23-year-old with type 1 diabetes who has a blood glucose of 40 mg/dL
• C. 40-year-old who is pregnant and has an oral glucose tolerance test result of 202 mg/dL
• D. 50-year-old who uses exenatide (Byetta) and is complaining of acute abdominal pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the patient with a blood glucose level of 40 mg/dL (hypoglycemia) needs immediate attention. Hypoglycemia is an emergency situation that requires prompt intervention to prevent adverse effects such as seizures or loss of consciousness. Assessing and managing this patient first is crucial to prevent further deterioration. Choices A, C, and D do not present immediate life-threatening situations requiring urgent intervention like severe hypoglycemia does. While a high hemoglobin A1C level (choice A), an abnormal oral glucose tolerance test result (choice C), and acute abdominal pain (choice D) are important issues, they do not pose an immediate threat to the patient's life compared to severe hypoglycemia.

2. An unresponsive patient with type 2 diabetes is brought to the emergency department and diagnosed with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS). The nurse will anticipate the need to

• A. give a bolus of 50% dextrose.
• B. insert a large-bore IV catheter.
• C. initiate oxygen via nasal cannula.
• D. administer glargine (Lantus) insulin.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a patient with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome (HHS), severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances are common. To address these issues, the priority intervention is to insert a large-bore IV catheter for fluid resuscitation and electrolyte replacement. Giving a bolus of 50% dextrose would worsen the hyperglycemia. Initiating oxygen via nasal cannula may be beneficial for respiratory support but is not the priority in this scenario. Administering glargine (Lantus) insulin is not the initial treatment for HHS as it does not address the underlying severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

3. After a violent incident, staff needs to discuss what occurred. Several actions need to be taken following the incident:

• A. Debrief the staff and complete incident reports and verify that all staff are safe
• B. Reassure the violent patient that hurting staff when ill is not cause for concern
• C. Avoid any interactions
• D. Standing close to the patient while talking

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: After a violent incident, it is crucial to debrief the staff and complete incident reports to document what occurred and ensure proper follow-up actions. Verifying that all staff are safe is essential for their well-being and security. This process allows professionals to assess the situation, learn from it, and be better prepared to handle similar incidents in the future. Choice B is incorrect because reassuring a violent patient that hurting staff is not a cause for concern may diminish the seriousness of the incident. Choice C is incorrect as avoiding interactions does not address the need for proper communication and resolution. Choice D is incorrect as standing close to a patient who has been violent may escalate the situation and compromise safety.

4. The time period to give as notice for an appraisal is:

• A. One day.
• B. None.
• C. One week.
• D. Two days.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Two days.' It is preferable to give two days' notice for a performance appraisal. Giving only one day's notice (Choice A) might not provide sufficient time for the employee to prepare adequately for the appraisal. Choice B, 'None,' is incorrect because it is essential to give advance notice for an appraisal to allow the employee time to get ready. Choice C, 'One week,' is too long of a notice period for a standard performance appraisal and could lead to unnecessary delays.

5. The nurse manager can use several strategies to improve communication when giving directions. Asking the subordinate to repeat the instructions would be which of the following strategies?

• A. Verifying through feedback
• B. Follow-up communication
• C. Getting positive attention
• D. Knowing the context of the instruction

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Asking the subordinate to repeat the instructions is a strategy known as verifying through feedback. This approach ensures that the receiver has understood the request correctly. Choice B, 'Follow-up communication,' refers to checking in after the initial communication, not necessarily asking for repetition. Choice C, 'Getting positive attention,' is unrelated to confirming understanding. Choice D, 'Knowing the context of the instruction,' deals with understanding the background or reasons behind the instructions, not confirming comprehension.

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