Nursing Elites

1. During her shift at the hospital, a nurse receives a stern reprimand from a physician over something over which she had no control. The nurse does not respond. When she returns home that evening, she sees her children's toys all over the floor, gets mad, and begins to yell at them. Which form of defense mechanism is this nurse using?

• A. Symbolization
• B. Suppression
• C. Displacement
• D. Projection

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Displacement is the process of redirecting feelings or impulses from one person to another. In this scenario, the nurse chose not to respond to the physician, but instead displaced her negative emotions onto her children, who are less threatening and more vulnerable. This defense mechanism allowed her to express her anger in a safer outlet. Symbolization involves representing unconscious feelings or impulses through symbols, not redirecting them. Suppression is the conscious effort to push unwanted thoughts or feelings out of awareness, not displacing them onto others. Projection involves attributing one's thoughts or emotions to someone else, which is not evident in this case.

2. The emergency room nurse admits a child who experienced a seizure at school. The father comments that this is the first occurrence and denies any family history of epilepsy. What is the best response by the nurse?

• A. Do not worry. Epilepsy can be treated with medications.
• B. The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy.
• C. Since this was the first convulsion, it may not happen again.
• D. Long-term treatment will prevent future seizures.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct response is, 'The seizure may or may not mean your child has epilepsy.' There are various potential causes for a childhood seizure, such as fever, central nervous system conditions, trauma, metabolic alterations, and idiopathic reasons. It's essential not to jump to conclusions about epilepsy based on one seizure. Options A, C, and D provide premature or inaccurate information. Option A may give false reassurance without proper evaluation, option C assumes one seizure guarantees no recurrence, and option D oversimplifies treatment outcomes.

3. An older Asian American patient tells the nurse that she has lived in the United States for 50 years. The patient speaks English and lives in a predominantly Asian neighborhood. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. Include a shaman when planning the patient's care
• B. Avoid direct eye contact with the patient during care
• C. Ask the patient about any special cultural beliefs or practices
• D. Involve the patient's oldest son to assist with health care decisions

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse in this scenario is to ask the patient about any special cultural beliefs or practices. This allows for a better understanding of the patient's individual cultural background and preferences related to healthcare. It is important to gather this information to provide culturally sensitive care. Choices A, B, and D are not appropriate actions. Including a shaman without the patient's request or consent may not align with the patient's beliefs or practices. Avoiding direct eye contact can be perceived as disrespectful in some cultures but should not be assumed without confirmation from the patient. Involving the patient's oldest son without the patient's consent or preference may not be appropriate and assumes family dynamics that may not be accurate.

4. Which statement by an 8-year-old girl, who was just admitted to the hospital, needs to be explored?

• A. ''Wow! This hospital has bright colors.''
• B. ''Is my mother allowed to visit me tonight?'
• C. ''Those boys are so cute. I hope their room is next to mine!'
• D. ''I'm scared about being here. Can you stay with me awhile?'

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. An 8-year-old child showing a strong attraction to boys at this age may raise concerns about precocious sexual behavior or exposure to inappropriate sexual content, potentially signaling the need to investigate for possible sexual abuse. It is important to explore this statement further. Choice A, expressing admiration for bright colors, is a common behavior for children of this age and does not raise immediate concerns. Choice B, inquiring about the mother's visit, is a typical concern for a hospitalized child seeking comfort and support. Choice D, expressing fear and seeking reassurance from the nurse, is also a normal reaction for an 8-year-old in a new and possibly intimidating environment. However, the statement in Choice C stands out as it deviates from age-appropriate behavior and warrants further exploration to ensure the child's safety and well-being.

5. A term used to describe members of the same group based on physiological characteristics, such as skin color or body structure, is known as:

• A. Ethnicity
• B. Culture
• C. Race
• D. Minority

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct term used to describe members of the same group based on physiological characteristics, such as skin color or body structure, is 'Race.' Race categorizes people based on physical traits like skin color. Ethnicity refers to shared cultural characteristics, traditions, language, and heritage, not physical attributes. Culture encompasses the values, beliefs, behaviors, and practices shared by a group. 'Minority' refers to a smaller number or part compared to the whole, not specifically based on physiological characteristics.

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