Nursing Elites

1. Early this morning, a female client had a subtotal thyroidectomy. During evening rounds, Nurse Tina assesses the client, who now has nausea, a temperature of 105°F (40.5°C), tachycardia, and extreme restlessness. What is the most likely cause of these signs?

• A. Diabetic ketoacidosis
• B. Thyroid crisis
• C. Hypoglycemia
• D. Tetany

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Thyroid crisis. Thyroid crisis, also known as thyroid storm, is a life-threatening condition that can occur after a thyroidectomy. Symptoms include high fever, tachycardia, extreme restlessness, and other signs of severe hyperthyroidism. Diabetic ketoacidosis (choice A) is a complication of diabetes characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and acidosis, not typically seen post-thyroidectomy. Hypoglycemia (choice C) is low blood sugar levels and would not present with the symptoms described. Tetany (choice D) is a condition of involuntary muscle spasms due to low calcium levels and is not directly related to the symptoms observed in this scenario.

2. A nurse manager in the emergency department considers policy changes in the organization and changes in the community, and tries to predict how these may impact the functioning of the unit. Which of the following decisional activities best describes this manager’s actions?

• A. Resource allocation
• B. Monitoring
• C. Job analysis and redesign
• D. Planning for the future

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Planning for the future. In this scenario, the nurse manager is engaging in decisional activities related to planning for the future. This involves analyzing potential impacts of policy changes and community shifts on the unit's functioning and making decisions based on predictions and foresight. Option A, resource allocation, focuses on distributing resources effectively. Option B, monitoring, involves observing and assessing current activities. Option C, job analysis and redesign, pertains to evaluating and restructuring roles and responsibilities within the unit, which is not the primary focus of the scenario provided.

3. After taking glipizide (Glucotrol) for 9 months, a male client experiences secondary failure. What would the nurse expect the physician to do?

• A. Initiate insulin therapy.
• B. Switch the client to a different oral antidiabetic agent.
• C. Prescribe an additional oral antidiabetic agent.
• D. Restrict carbohydrate intake to less than 30% of the total caloric intake.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a client experiences secondary failure to an oral antidiabetic agent like glipizide, the next step is often to initiate insulin therapy. This is because secondary failure indicates that the current oral antidiabetic medication is no longer effective in managing blood glucose levels, and insulin therapy may be required to adequately control blood sugar. Switching to a different oral antidiabetic agent may not be effective if there is already resistance to the current agent. Adding another oral antidiabetic agent may not address the underlying issue of secondary failure. Restricting carbohydrate intake is important for diabetes management but is not the primary intervention indicated in this scenario of secondary failure to glipizide.

4. Why is glucose an important molecule in a cell?

• A. Extraction of energy
• B. Synthesis of protein
• C. Building of genetic material
• D. Formation of cell membranes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Glucose is a crucial molecule in cells because it serves as the primary source of energy through cellular respiration. Choice B, the synthesis of protein, is incorrect because proteins are typically synthesized from amino acids, not glucose. Choice C, the building of genetic material, is incorrect because genetic material, such as DNA and RNA, is not directly built from glucose. Choice D, the formation of cell membranes, is also incorrect as cell membranes are primarily composed of lipids and proteins, not glucose.

5. A client with diabetes mellitus is experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia. The nurse should instruct the client to do which of the following?

• A. Eat a high-protein snack
• B. Consume 15 grams of simple carbohydrates
• C. Drink a glass of water
• D. Administer an extra dose of insulin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Consuming 15 grams of simple carbohydrates is the recommended treatment for mild hypoglycemia to quickly raise blood sugar levels. Simple carbohydrates are rapidly absorbed and provide a quick source of glucose to combat low blood sugar. Eating a high-protein snack (Choice A) would delay the rise in blood sugar as proteins take longer to be broken down. Drinking water (Choice C) does not directly address the low blood sugar levels associated with hypoglycemia. Administering an extra dose of insulin (Choice D) would further lower blood sugar levels, worsening the hypoglycemic state.

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