Nursing Elites

1. An unresponsive male victim of a diving accident is brought to the emergency department where immediate surgery is required to save his life. No family members are available. What action should the nurse take first?

• A. Ask the friend to sign an informed consent.
• B. Notify the unit manager that a court order is needed.
• C. Continue providing life support until a guardian is found.
• D. Proceed with surgery preparation without consent.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In emergency situations where immediate surgery is required to save a patient's life and no family members are available, consent can be waived to proceed with necessary interventions. The priority in this scenario is to proceed with surgery preparation without waiting for consent, as any delay could jeopardize the patient's life. Asking the friend to sign informed consent or notifying the unit manager for a court order would cause unnecessary delays, which are not advisable in this critical situation. Continuing life support until a guardian is found is not the most appropriate action when immediate surgical intervention is necessary.

2. A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing hyperglycemia. What laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate long-term glucose control?

• A. Blood glucose level
• B. Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C)
• C. Urine output
• D. Serum ketone level

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C). Glycosylated hemoglobin reflects long-term glucose control over the past three months. Monitoring blood glucose levels provides information on the current glucose status and immediate control, but it does not give a comprehensive view of long-term control. Urine output and serum ketone levels are important indicators for other aspects of diabetes management, such as hydration status and ketone production during hyperglycemic episodes, but they do not directly reflect long-term glucose control.

3. A client receiving heparin therapy develops sudden chest pain and dyspnea. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer oxygen and elevate the head of the bed.
• B. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin as prescribed.
• C. Assess for signs of bleeding at the injection site.
• D. Administer a PRN dose of albuterol.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the priority action for the nurse is to administer oxygen and elevate the head of the bed. These interventions help relieve dyspnea and chest pain, which can be indicative of a pulmonary embolism or other complications during heparin therapy. Administering nitroglycerin (Choice B) is not the initial priority in this situation as the client's symptoms are not suggestive of angina. Assessing for bleeding (Choice C) is important but not the first action needed to address chest pain and dyspnea. Administering albuterol (Choice D) is not indicated unless there are specific respiratory issues requiring it, which are not described in the scenario.

4. A client with hypertension has been prescribed a calcium channel blocker. What should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?

• A. Monitor heart rate regularly
• B. Avoid potassium-rich foods
• C. Increase fluid intake to avoid dehydration
• D. Take the medication with food

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Calcium channel blockers can cause bradycardia, so it is important for the client to monitor their heart rate regularly. This helps detect any significant changes in heart rate that may require medical attention. Choice B is incorrect because there is no need to avoid potassium-rich foods with calcium channel blockers. Choice C is incorrect as increasing fluid intake is not specifically related to calcium channel blockers. Choice D is incorrect as calcium channel blockers are usually taken with or without food, depending on the specific medication, but not specifically on an empty stomach.

5. The nurse is planning care for a client with a venous leg ulcer. Which intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care to promote healing?

• A. Apply compression therapy to the affected leg
• B. Keep the affected leg in a dependent position
• C. Massage the area surrounding the ulcer
• D. Encourage the client to elevate the leg for 2 hours daily

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Compression therapy is essential for managing venous leg ulcers as it helps improve venous return, reduces edema, and promotes healing. By applying compression therapy to the affected leg, the nurse can assist in enhancing circulation, reducing swelling, and aiding in the healing process. Keeping the affected leg in a dependent position can worsen venous insufficiency. Massaging the area surrounding the ulcer is contraindicated as it can cause further damage and delay healing. While encouraging the client to elevate the leg is beneficial, it is not as effective as compression therapy for promoting healing in venous leg ulcers.

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