Nursing Elites

1. During a home visit, the nurse observes that an elderly client has numerous bruises on her arms and appears fearful of her caregiver. What should the nurse do first?

• A. report the findings to adult protective services
• B. ask the client how she got the bruises
• C. document the observations in the client's medical record
• D. discuss the observations with the caregiver

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The initial step for the nurse should be to ask the client how she got the bruises. This approach allows the nurse to directly assess the situation, gather information from the client, and potentially uncover signs of abuse. Reporting to adult protective services should come after obtaining more details from the client to ensure appropriate action. Documenting the observations is important but should follow gathering information from the client. Discussing the observations with the caregiver may not be appropriate as the caregiver could be the source of abuse, and involving them first may jeopardize the client's safety.

2. A public health nurse is working with a community to improve access to dental care. Which intervention is most likely to be effective?

• A. Setting up dental clinics in accessible locations
• B. Distributing flyers with information about dental services
• C. Offering transportation vouchers for dental appointments
• D. Partnering with local businesses to promote dental health

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Setting up dental clinics in accessible locations is the most effective intervention to improve access to dental care. By having dental clinics in easily reachable places, community members are more likely to seek and utilize dental services. Distributing flyers may raise awareness, but it may not address the issue of physical accessibility to dental care. Offering transportation vouchers could help with transportation barriers but might not address the core issue of proximity to dental services. Partnering with local businesses to promote dental health is a good initiative, but it may not directly improve access to dental care as setting up clinics in accessible locations would.

3. An adolescent tells the school nurse that she is pregnant. Her last menstrual period was 4 months ago. She has not received any medical care. She smokes but denies any other substance use. What is the priority nursing action?

• A. notify her parents
• B. refer her for prenatal care
• C. teach breastfeeding methods
• D. offer nutritional instructions

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to refer her for prenatal care. Prenatal care is essential to monitor the health of both the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. While notifying her parents may be important for support and involvement, the priority is ensuring the adolescent receives medical care. Teaching breastfeeding methods and offering nutritional instructions are important but are not the immediate priority in this situation where prenatal care is urgently needed.

4. A female client is admitted with a tentative diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?

• A. Facial weakness and difficulty speaking.
• B. Decreased deep tendon reflexes in the legs.
• C. Inability to move the eyes.
• D. Respiratory distress and cyanosis.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In Guillain-Barre syndrome, decreased deep tendon reflexes are a critical finding that may indicate impending respiratory failure. This is due to the involvement of the peripheral nervous system affecting the muscles, including those involved in breathing. Reporting decreased deep tendon reflexes promptly is essential to prevent respiratory compromise. Facial weakness, difficulty speaking, and inability to move the eyes are common manifestations of Guillain-Barre syndrome but are not as immediately concerning as respiratory distress and impending respiratory failure.

5. During a follow-up home visit, the nurse observes that a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is using accessory muscles to breathe and has a pulse oximetry reading of 88%. What action should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer a prescribed bronchodilator
• B. Increase the oxygen flow rate
• C. Instruct the client to perform pursed-lip breathing
• D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should first instruct the client to perform pursed-lip breathing. Pursed-lip breathing helps improve oxygenation and decrease the work of breathing in clients with COPD. Administering a bronchodilator or increasing the oxygen flow rate may be necessary interventions but addressing the breathing technique through pursed-lip breathing is the initial action to optimize oxygenation. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately is not the first action indicated in this scenario; the nurse should intervene promptly to assist the client in improving breathing before escalating the situation.

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