Nursing Elites

1. To manage the client’s constipation, which suggestions should the nurse provide? (Select all that apply)

• A. Decrease laxative use to every other day and use oil retention enemas as needed.
• B. Include oatmeal with stewed prunes for breakfast as often as possible.
• C. Increase fluid intake by keeping a water glass next to the recliner.
• D. Recommend seeking help with regular shopping and meal preparation.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Increasing fluid intake is essential for managing constipation. Adequate hydration helps soften stool and promotes bowel movements. Choices A and B are incorrect as decreasing laxative use without medical advice and suggesting specific foods like oatmeal with stewed prunes may not be suitable for every individual with constipation. Choice D is also incorrect as while seeking help with meal preparation can indirectly aid in managing constipation, the immediate need is to increase fluid intake.

2. A 60-year-old male with type 2 diabetes mellitus tells the nurse that he is going to join a gym and start working out. Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. Recent serum cholesterol levels
• B. Presence of calf pain during exercise
• C. Average weight gain or loss in the last year
• D. Exercise tolerance test with EKG results

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important information for the nurse to obtain in this scenario is the presence of calf pain during exercise. Calf pain during exercise could indicate peripheral vascular issues, such as peripheral artery disease, which is crucial to address before starting an exercise program. High cholesterol levels (choice A) may be important but are not as immediately relevant as assessing for peripheral vascular issues. Average weight gain or loss (choice C) may provide some insight into the patient's overall health status but is not as critical as assessing for potential vascular complications. An exercise tolerance test with EKG results (choice D) may be valuable in assessing cardiovascular fitness but is not as crucial as evaluating for peripheral vascular issues given the patient's symptoms.

3. After completion of mandatory counseling, the impaired nurse has asked nursing administration to allow return to work. When the nurse administrator approaches the charge nurse with the impaired nurse’s request, what action is best for the charge nurse to take?

• A. Ask to meet with the impaired nurse’s therapist before allowing the nurse back on the unit
• B. Meet with staff to assess their feelings about the impaired nurse’s return to the unit
• C. Since treatment is completed, assign the nurse to routine RN responsibilities
• D. Allow the impaired nurse to return to work and monitor medication administration

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Allowing the impaired nurse to return to work with monitoring is the best course of action in this scenario. By monitoring the impaired nurse's medication administration, the charge nurse can ensure safe practice while supporting the nurse's reintegration into the work environment. Meeting with the therapist (Choice A) is not within the charge nurse's scope of responsibility and may violate the impaired nurse's privacy. Assessing staff feelings (Choice B) is important but should be done by leadership, not the charge nurse. Simply assigning routine duties (Choice C) may not address the need for monitoring and support required in this situation.

4. A male client who fell into the lake while fishing and was submerged for about 3 min was successfully resuscitated by his friends. He was brought to the Emergency Department for evaluation and was admitted for a 24-hour uneventful hospital stay. What follow-up instruction should the nurse give?

• A. Avoid smoke-filled environments
• B. Seek medical care promptly if a fever develops
• C. Increase oral fluids if a cough becomes productive
• D. Schedule frequent rest periods

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After being submerged in water, the client should be instructed to seek medical care promptly if a fever develops since complications may arise later. Choices A, C, and D are not directly related to the potential complications from submersion in water and are therefore incorrect. Avoiding smoke-filled environments, increasing oral fluids for a productive cough, and scheduling frequent rest periods are not the priority concerns in this scenario.

5. Following a thyroidectomy, a client experiences tetany. The nurse should expect to administer which intravenous medication?

• A. Sodium iodide solution
• B. Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid)
• C. Calcium gluconate
• D. Propranolol (Inderal)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Following a thyroidectomy, tetany can occur due to hypoparathyroidism, leading to low calcium levels. Therefore, the nurse should administer calcium gluconate intravenously to raise the calcium levels. Choice A, Sodium iodide solution, is incorrect as it is used for thyroid conditions, not for treating tetany. Choice B, Levothyroxine sodium (Synthroid), is incorrect as it is a thyroid hormone replacement and does not address low calcium levels. Choice D, Propranolol (Inderal), is incorrect as it is a beta-blocker used for conditions like hypertension and not indicated for tetany after thyroidectomy.

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