Nursing Elites

1. Community health nurses are particularly concerned with the source of communicable diseases such as hepatitis A. Which group of individuals have a higher risk of contracting that type of hepatitis?

• A. IV drug users who share needles
• B. low-income families living in cramped quarters
• C. those who have recently received a blood transfusion
• D. sexually active persons with multiple partners

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Hepatitis A is often spread through close personal contact and poor sanitary conditions, which are more common in low-income, cramped living situations. IV drug users sharing needles are at higher risk of hepatitis B and C due to bloodborne transmission. Those who have recently received a blood transfusion are at risk of hepatitis C or other bloodborne infections. Sexually active persons with multiple partners are at risk of hepatitis B, which can be transmitted through sexual contact.

2. The wife of an older adult man who has had diabetes mellitus for the past 10 years reports to the home health nurse that her husband fell yesterday while taking his daily walk in the neighborhood. He has a bruised hand and a small abrasion on his left knee. The nurse assesses that his neurologic vital signs are stable. To reduce the risk for future falls, which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. current blood sugar level
• B. degree of paresthesia in feet
• C. wound healing of knee abrasion
• D. A1c glycosylated hemoglobin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assessing for paresthesia (numbness or tingling) in the feet is crucial in this scenario as it can help determine if the client has a loss of sensation, which increases the risk of falls. Paresthesia is a common complication of diabetes that can lead to decreased sensation and proprioception in the feet, contributing to balance issues and an increased risk of falls. Monitoring for paresthesia allows the nurse to assess the extent of sensory impairment and implement appropriate interventions to prevent future falls. While monitoring blood sugar levels (choice A) and A1c levels (choice D) are important in managing diabetes, in this case, assessing paresthesia takes precedence due to its direct impact on fall risk. Similarly, while monitoring the wound healing of the knee abrasion (choice C) is important for overall wound care, it is not directly related to reducing the risk of future falls in this situation.

3. During a home visit, the nurse observes that an elderly client has a cluttered living environment and poor lighting. What should the nurse do first?

• A. suggest that the client hires a cleaning service
• B. assist the client in organizing the living space
• C. assess the client's risk for falls
• D. provide the client with information on home safety

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take is to assess the client's risk for falls. A cluttered living environment and poor lighting are significant risk factors for falls in the elderly. By assessing the client's risk for falls, the nurse can identify potential hazards and implement appropriate interventions to prevent falls. Suggesting hiring a cleaning service or assisting in organizing the living space may address the symptoms but not the root cause of the fall risk. Providing information on home safety is important but should come after assessing the specific risk factors for falls in this scenario.

4. When the receptionist for the answering service offers to take a message, which nursing action is best for the nurse to take if a client is exhibiting an extrapyramidal reaction to psychotropic medications?

• A. Leave a detailed message about the client's condition.
• B. Tell the receptionist to have the healthcare provider return the phone call.
• C. Call another healthcare provider.
• D. Document the attempt to call the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The best nursing action is to request a return call from the healthcare provider. When a client is experiencing an extrapyramidal reaction to psychotropic medications, it is crucial to prioritize the client's confidentiality and ensure the information is conveyed to the healthcare provider directly. Leaving a detailed message with a receptionist may compromise the confidentiality of the client's condition. Calling another healthcare provider may delay necessary intervention and continuity of care. Documenting the attempt to call is important for the nurse's records but does not address the immediate need to inform the healthcare provider about the client's condition.

5. A community health nurse is conducting a program evaluation for a diabetes management class. Which measure best indicates the program's effectiveness?

• A. Number of participants attending each session
• B. Participant satisfaction with the class
• C. Reduction in participants' average blood glucose levels
• D. Improvement in participants' knowledge about diabetes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most effective measure to indicate the program's effectiveness in a diabetes management class is the reduction in participants' average blood glucose levels. This measure directly reflects the impact of the program on managing diabetes and improving health outcomes. Choices A and B may provide valuable information but do not directly assess the program's impact on managing diabetes. Choice D, improvement in participants' knowledge about diabetes, is important but may not directly translate into improved diabetes management without actual health outcome measurements like blood glucose levels.

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