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. The client reports nausea and constipation. Which of the following would be the priority nursing action?

• A. Collect a stool sample
• B. Complete an abdominal assessment
• C. Administer an anti-nausea medication
• D. Notify the physician

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority nursing action when a client reports symptoms like nausea and constipation is to complete an abdominal assessment. Assessment is crucial as it involves the systematic collection of data to understand the client's condition. By assessing the abdomen, the nurse can gather essential information to make a nursing diagnosis and develop a care plan. Collecting a stool sample (Choice A) may be necessary but comes after the assessment to confirm findings. Administering an anti-nausea medication (Choice C) addresses symptoms but does not address the underlying cause without a thorough assessment. Notifying the physician (Choice D) should come after the assessment to provide a complete picture of the client's condition.

3. During auscultation of a patient's heart sounds, the nurse hears an unfamiliar sound. Which action would the nurse take?

• A. Ask the patient how he or she is feeling.
• B. Document the findings in the patient's record.
• C. Wait 10 minutes and auscultate the sound again.
• D. Ask another nurse to double-check the finding.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When encountering an unfamiliar sound during auscultation, it is crucial for the nurse to seek confirmation from another healthcare professional. Asking the patient about their feelings may not provide insight into the unfamiliar sound. Simply documenting the findings without verification may lead to errors in interpretation. Waiting and auscultating again after 10 minutes might delay necessary intervention. Consulting another nurse for a second opinion ensures accurate identification of the unfamiliar sound and appropriate follow-up actions.

4. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for a client with a diagnosis of Risk for Activity Intolerance?

• A. Perform nursing activities throughout the entire shift
• B. Assess for signs of increased muscle tone
• C. Minimize environmental noise
• D. Teach clients to perform the Valsalva maneuver

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate intervention for a client diagnosed with Risk for Activity Intolerance is to minimize environmental noise. Environmental noise can increase the energy demand on the client as they try to manage their responses to stimuli. By reducing excess noise, the nurse helps promote rest and conserves the client's energy, which is crucial in managing activity intolerance. Choice A is incorrect because increasing nursing activities may exacerbate the client's intolerance to activity. Choice B is incorrect as assessing for signs of increased muscle tone does not directly address the issue of activity intolerance. Choice D is incorrect as teaching the Valsalva maneuver is not relevant to managing activity intolerance in this scenario.

5. You see a sign over Mary Jones' bed when you arrive at 7 am to begin your day shift. The sign says, 'NPO'. Ms. Jones is on a regular diet. The patient asks for milk and some crackers. You _____________.

• A. can give her the milk but not the crackers
• B. can give her both the milk and the crackers
• C. can give her the crackers but not the milk
• D. cannot give her anything to eat or drink

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is that you cannot give her anything to eat or drink. 'NPO' is the standard abbreviation for 'nothing by mouth,' indicating that the patient should not consume any food or liquids. It is crucial to adhere to this restriction to prevent any potential harm or complications in the patient's condition. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because 'NPO' clearly specifies that the patient should not have anything to eat or drink, including milk and crackers. Providing these items could lead to adverse effects, so it is essential to follow the 'NPO' directive strictly.

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