Nursing Elites

1. During discharge teaching, the nurse discusses the parameters for weight monitoring with a client recently diagnosed with heart failure (HF). Which information is most important for the client to acknowledge?

• A. Weigh at the same time every day
• B. Report weight gain of 2 pounds (0.9kg) in 24 hours
• C. Maintain a daily weight record
• D. Limit dietary salt intake

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Reporting a weight gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours is crucial for detecting fluid retention or worsening heart failure. This rapid weight gain indicates possible fluid overload, which can be a sign of worsening HF. Option A is not as critical as the timing of weighing can vary. Option C is important for tracking trends but does not emphasize the significance of a sudden weight gain. Option D is relevant for managing HF but does not address the immediate need for reporting rapid weight gain.

2. A young adult who is hit with a baseball bat on the temporal area of the left skull is conscious when admitted to the ED and is transferred to the Neurological Unit to be monitored for signs of closed head injury. Which assessment finding is indicative of a developing epidural hematoma?

• A. Altered consciousness within the first 24 hours after injury
• B. Confusion immediately following the injury
• C. Headache that resolves quickly
• D. Brief loss of consciousness with a lucid interval

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Epidural hematoma often presents with a brief loss of consciousness followed by a lucid interval and then a rapid decline in consciousness. Therefore, altered consciousness within the first 24 hours after the injury is indicative of a developing epidural hematoma. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because confusion immediately following the injury, headache that resolves quickly, and brief loss of consciousness with a lucid interval are not specific signs of epidural hematoma.

3. A female client has been taking a high dose of prednisone, a corticosteroid, for several months. After stopping the medication abruptly, the client reports feeling very tired. Which nursing intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

• A. Measure vital signs
• B. Auscultate breath sounds
• C. Palpate the abdomen
• D. Observe the skin for bruising

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Discontinuing prednisone abruptly can lead to adrenal insufficiency, which may result in symptoms such as fatigue. Monitoring vital signs is crucial in this situation to assess for potential complications like hypotension, which can be a sign of adrenal insufficiency. Auscultating breath sounds (choice B) is important but not the priority when considering the risk of adrenal insufficiency. Palpating the abdomen (choice C) and observing the skin for bruising (choice D) are not directly related to the potential complications of abruptly stopping prednisone.

4. When administering ceftriaxone sodium intravenously to a client before surgery, which assessment finding requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

• A. Headache
• B. Pruritus
• C. Nausea
• D. Stridor

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Stridor is a high-pitched, noisy breathing sound that can indicate a serious condition like airway obstruction or a severe allergic reaction, necessitating immediate intervention to maintain the client's airway and prevent further complications. While headache, pruritus, and nausea are important to assess and manage, they are not as immediately life-threatening as stridor, which requires prompt attention to prevent respiratory compromise.

5. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, if a child has a Gower sign, what behavior should the nurse expect the child to exhibit?

• A. Stands from sitting on the floor by using hands to walk up legs
• B. Exhibits muscular atrophy of upper and lower extremities
• C. Is unable to stand because of contractures of both hips
• D. Walks with an unsteady gait and slaps feet on the floor

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Gower sign is a characteristic finding in Duchenne muscular dystrophy where a child uses hands to walk up the legs when standing from a sitting position due to proximal muscle weakness. This behavior is indicative of the child trying to compensate for weak hip and thigh muscles. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not describe the specific behavior associated with the Gower sign. Muscular atrophy, contractures of both hips, and an unsteady gait with foot slapping are not directly related to the Gower sign.

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