Nursing Elites

1. Cheryl M. has a serious swallowing disorder. She has asked you for a glass of water. The doctor has ordered honey thickness liquids for her. Water is not a honey thickness liquid. It is much thinner. What should you do?

• A. Tell the resident that she cannot have water.
• B. Give her applesauce instead of the water.
• C. Tell Cheryl that she is NPO until midnight.
• D. Thicken the water and give it to her.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: You can give Cheryl the water that she has requested; however, since water is not a honey-thick liquid as ordered by the doctor, you must thicken it with a commercial thickener before giving it to her. This will ensure that the water is at the appropriate consistency for her swallowing disorder. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect: A) Telling the resident she cannot have water is not the best course of action without attempting to modify it first. B) Giving her applesauce instead of water does not address the specific request for water. C) Placing Cheryl on NPO status until midnight is unnecessary and does not address her immediate request for water.

2. Over a patient's lifespan, how does the pulse rate change?

• A. starts out fast and decreases as the patient ages.
• B. starts out slower and increases as the patient ages.
• C. varies from slow to fast throughout the lifespan.
• D. stays consistent from birth to death.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is that the pulse rate starts out fast and decreases as the patient ages. In infants, the normal pulse rate is around 140 beats per minute, which then falls to an average of 80 beats per minute in adults. As individuals age, their pulse rate tends to decrease due to changes in cardiovascular function. Choice B is incorrect as the pulse rate typically decreases with age, rather than increases. Choice C is incorrect as there is a general trend of decreasing pulse rate as individuals age, rather than a continuous variation. Choice D is incorrect as the pulse rate does change over a patient's lifespan, starting fast in infants and decreasing as they age.

3. During the general survey, what action is a component of the assessment?

• A. Observing the patient's body stature and nutritional status
• B. Interpreting the subjective information reported by the patient
• C. Measuring the patient's temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure
• D. Observing specific body systems during the physical assessment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: During the general survey, the nurse assesses the patient's overall appearance, body structure, mobility, and behavior, which includes observing body stature and nutritional status. Interpreting subjective information reported by the patient is part of the subjective data collection process and not the general survey. Measuring vital signs like temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure is part of a focused physical examination, not the general survey. Additionally, observing specific body systems while performing a physical assessment is more specific and focused than the general survey.

4. What term is used to refer to generalized wasting of body tissues and malnutrition?

• A. Entropion
• B. Confabulation
• C. Induration
• D. Cachexia

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cachexia is the correct term used to describe the generalized wasting of body tissues, ill health, and malnutrition associated with some chronic diseases. It involves a loss of fat tissue to protect the bones and joints. Clients with cachexia are at risk of pressure ulcers and other complications due to malnutrition and poor health. Entropion refers to an eyelid condition, confabulation is a memory disturbance, and induration is the abnormal hardening of a part of the body.

5. A client has applied a cold pack to their arm to help decrease swelling and inflammation after an injury. Which of the following signs indicates that the cold pack should be removed?

• A. The skin on the arm appears mottled
• B. The cold pack has been in place for 10 minutes
• C. The client complains of feeling nauseated
• D. The capillary refill in the area distal to the arm is 2 seconds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When using a cold pack for therapeutic purposes, it is essential to monitor the site to prevent tissue damage. Prolonged use of cold therapy can lead to pale, mottled skin with a bluish appearance. This change in skin color indicates poor circulation, and the cold pack should be removed immediately to prevent tissue injury. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the duration of cold pack application, client complaints of nausea, and capillary refill time do not specifically indicate the need for the cold pack to be removed due to potential tissue damage.

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