Nursing Elites

1. What does the E in the acronym DELIRIUM represent in causes contributing to delirium?

• A. EEG
• B. EKG
• C. Electrolytes
• D. Echocardiogram

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The E in the acronym DELIRIUM stands for Electrolytes. Electrolyte imbalances can lead to delirium. The other letters in the acronym represent: D = Dementia; L = Lung, liver, heart, kidney, brain; I = Infection; R = Rx Drugs; I = Injury, Pain, Stress; U = Unfamiliar environment; M = Metabolic. It is crucial to differentiate delirium from dementia, as delirium is often reversible with treatment of underlying causes. Dementia should only be considered after ruling out delirium, as addressing the contributing factors may alleviate the delirium state.

2. The healthcare provider is assessing several clients before surgery. Which factor in a client's history poses the greatest threat for complications during surgery?

• A. Taking birth control pills for the past 2 years
• B. Taking anticoagulants for the past year
• C. Recently completing antibiotic therapy
• D. Having taken laxatives PRN for the last 6 months

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is taking anticoagulants for the past year. Anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding during surgery, which can lead to complications. It is crucial for the healthcare provider to be aware of this medication. While clients taking birth control pills (option A) may be more prone to developing blood clots, these issues typically arise after surgery. Clients who recently completed antibiotic therapy (option C) or have taken laxatives PRN for the last 6 months (option D) are at lower risk compared to those taking anticoagulants (option B) during surgery.

3. A newly diagnosed client with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) comments to the nurse, 'There are so many rotten people around. Why couldn't one of them get HIV instead of me?' Which statement is the nurse's best response?

• A. 'I can understand why you are afraid of dying.'
• B. 'It seems unfair that you contracted this disorder.'
• C. 'Do you really wish this disorder on someone else?'
• D. 'Have you thought of speaking with your religious adviser?'

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The client is expressing feelings of unfairness and questioning why they have HIV. The nurse's best response is to acknowledge the client's emotions. Choice B, 'It seems unfair that you contracted this disorder,' reflects empathy and validates the client's feelings, which can help them move towards acceptance. Choice A, 'I can understand why you are afraid of dying,' introduces the topic of death, which may not be the primary concern at this stage. Choice C, 'Do you really wish this disorder on someone else?' is judgmental and could induce guilt in the client. Choice D, 'Have you thought of speaking with your religious adviser?' deflects the conversation and does not address the client's current emotional needs.

4. Before assessing a new patient, a nurse is told by another healthcare worker, "I know that patient. No matter how hard we work, there isn't much improvement by the time of discharge."? The nurse's responsibility is to:

• A. document the other worker's assessment of the patient.
• B. assess the patient based on data collected from all sources.
• C. validate the worker's impression by contacting the patient's significant other.
• D. discuss the worker's impression with the patient during the assessment interview

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient based on data collected from all sources. It is important for the nurse to gather information from various sources to form an objective assessment. Biased assessments by others should be evaluated as objectively as possible by the nurse, considering the potential impact of counter-transference. Documenting the other worker's assessment (Choice A) may be necessary for thorough documentation but should not influence the nurse's independent assessment. Validating the worker's impression by contacting the patient's significant other (Choice C) may not provide an accurate representation of the patient's condition. Discussing the worker's impression with the patient during the assessment interview (Choice D) can introduce bias and may not lead to an objective evaluation.

5. The nurse is administering the 0900 medications to a client who was admitted during the night. Which client statement indicates that the nurse should further assess the medication order?

• A. At home, I take my pills at 8:00 am.
• B. It costs a lot of money to buy all of these pills.
• C. I get so tired of taking pills every day.
• D. This is a new pill I have never taken before.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The client stating, 'This is a new pill I have never taken before,' is the correct answer as it indicates a potential discrepancy in the medication order. This statement requires further assessment to ensure the medication is correct, verify if it is a new prescription or a different manufacturer, and determine if the client needs additional instructions. While the timing of medication administration (option A) is important, it may not be as critical as ensuring the accuracy of the medication being administered. Option B, regarding the cost of pills, is relevant for discharge planning but does not directly impact the immediate administration of the medication. Option C, expressing tiredness from taking pills daily, may warrant discussion on adherence or side effects but does not raise immediate concerns about the specific medication being administered.

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