Nursing Elites

1. Improper placement of the hands under the rib cage when performing the Heimlich maneuver could result in:

• A. damage to the manubrium of the sternum.
• B. damage to the xiphoid process.
• C. damage to the coccyx.
• D. None of the above is possible, even with improper hand placement.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The xiphoid process is a small, cartilaginous extension at the inferior end of the sternum. Placing the hands improperly during the Heimlich maneuver too close to this process can result in it breaking off and potentially causing damage to internal organs. Choices A and C are incorrect because the manubrium of the sternum and the coccyx are not in the area where the hands would typically be placed during the Heimlich maneuver.

2. Many Asians believe in the yin/yang theory, which is rooted in the ancient Chinese philosophy of Tao. Which statement most accurately reflects this philosophy's view of "health"??

• A. A person is able to work and produce.
• B. A person is happy, stable, and feels good.
• C. All aspects of the person are in perfect balance.
• D. A person is able to care for others and function socially.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the yin/yang theory rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, health is believed to exist when all aspects of a person are in perfect balance. This includes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Choice C accurately reflects this philosophy's view of health. Choices A, B, and D do not capture the essence of the yin/yang theory. Being able to work and produce, being happy and stable, or caring for others and functioning socially, while important, do not encompass the holistic balance emphasized in the yin/yang theory.

3. A client has become combative and is attempting to pull out his IV and take off his surgical dressings. The nurse receives an order to apply wrist restraints. Which action of the nurse signifies that restraints are being used safely?

• A. The nurse ties the restraints in a square knot to prevent the client from untying them
• B. The restraints are attached to a movable portion of the bed
• C. The padded side of the restraint is applied next to the skin of the wrist
• D. The nurse assesses the client's distal circulation every 24 hours

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Restraint use must prioritize the safety of the client. When applying restraints around the wrists, the padded side should be placed against the skin to help prevent skin breakdown. Additionally, restraints should be secured in quick-release knots to ensure they can be removed rapidly in case of an emergency. Choice A is incorrect as restraints should not be tied in a way that could prevent quick removal. Choice B is incorrect because restraints should not be attached to a movable part of the bed to avoid unintentional movement. Choice D is incorrect as assessing distal circulation is important but is not directly related to the safe application of restraints.

4. Assuming that an elderly patient will have a difficult time understanding the directions for how to take medication is an example of:

• A. Prejudice
• B. Stereotyping
• C. Encoding
• D. Rationalization

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Stereotyping is defined as providing a generalization about a person based on their culture or characteristics. In this scenario, assuming that an elderly patient will have difficulty understanding medication directions solely based on their age is an act of stereotyping. The healthcare provider is attributing a generalized trait to the patient without considering individual differences. Prejudice, on the other hand, involves forming a negative opinion about someone based on their heritage or culture, which is not evident in this situation. Encoding refers to the process of converting information into a form that can be stored in memory, and rationalization involves justifying one's behavior or decisions with logical reasons, neither of which are applicable in this context.

5. Which action is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

• A. Listen to a patient's lung sounds for wheezes or rhonchi.
• B. Label specimens obtained during percutaneous lung biopsy.
• C. Instruct a patient about how to use home spirometry testing.
• D. Measure induration at the site of a patient's intradermal skin test.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Labeling specimens obtained during a percutaneous lung biopsy is a task that can be appropriately delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) as it does not require nursing judgment. UAP can perform this task safely under the supervision of a nurse. Listening to a patient's lung sounds for wheezes or rhonchi, instructing a patient about how to use home spirometry testing, and measuring induration at the site of a patient's intradermal skin test all require nursing judgment and interpretation of findings. These tasks should be performed by licensed nursing personnel to ensure accurate assessment and appropriate intervention.

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