Nursing Elites

1. In a long term rehabilitation care unit a client with spinal cord injury complains of a pounding headache. The client is sitting in a wheelchair watching television in the assigned room. Further assessment by the nurse reveals excessive sweating, a splotchy rash, pilomotor erection, facial flushing, congested nasal passages and a heart rate of 50. The nurse should do which action next?

• A. Take the client's respirations, blood pressure (BP), temperature and then pupillary responses
• B. Place the client into the bed and administer the ordered PRN analgesic
• C. Check the client for bladder distention and the client's urinary catheter for kinks
• D. Turn the television off and then assist client to use relaxation techniques

Correct answer: C

Rationale: These symptoms suggest autonomic dysreflexia, often triggered by bladder distention.

2. A client has just returned to the medical-surgical unit following a segmental lung resection. After assessing the client, the first nursing action would be to:

• A. Administer pain medication
• B. Suction excessive tracheobronchial secretions
• C. Assist the client to turn, deep breathe, and cough
• D. Monitor oxygen saturation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After a segmental lung resection, the priority nursing action should be to suction excessive tracheobronchial secretions. This helps in preventing airway obstruction from secretions, ensuring the patency of the airway and optimizing respiratory function. Administering pain medication can be important but addressing airway clearance takes precedence. Assisting the client to turn, deep breathe, and cough is essential for respiratory hygiene but not the first action immediately post-op. Monitoring oxygen saturation is crucial, but ensuring airway clearance is the priority to prevent complications.

3. A home health nurse is at the home of a client with diabetes and arthritis. The client has difficulty drawing up insulin. It would be most appropriate for the nurse to refer the client to:

• A. A social worker from the local hospital
• B. An occupational therapist from the community center
• C. A physical therapist from the rehabilitation agency
• D. Another client with diabetes mellitus who takes insulin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An occupational therapist is the most appropriate professional to refer the client to in this situation. Occupational therapists can provide assistance with techniques and tools to help the client manage insulin administration despite arthritis. Referring the client to a social worker (Choice A) may not directly address the client's difficulty with insulin. While physical therapists (Choice C) focus on mobility and strength, they may not specialize in techniques for insulin administration. Referring the client to another client with diabetes (Choice D) is not a professional or appropriate solution to address the client's difficulty.

4. What is the primary function of a public health nurse?

• A. Provide bedside care
• B. Administer medications
• C. Promote and protect the health of populations
• D. Perform surgical procedures

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary function of a public health nurse is to promote and protect the health of populations. Public health nurses focus on preventing diseases, promoting healthy behaviors, and addressing health disparities within communities. Providing bedside care (choice A) is typically done by nurses in clinical settings, not public health nurses. Administering medications (choice B) is part of nursing practice but not the primary role of a public health nurse. Performing surgical procedures (choice D) is usually the responsibility of surgical nurses or healthcare providers specializing in surgery, not public health nurses.

5. The client with Parkinson's disease spends over 1 hour to dress for scheduled therapies. What is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation?

• A. Ask family members to dress the client
• B. Encourage the client to dress more quickly
• C. Allow the client the time needed to dress
• D. Demonstrate methods on how to dress more quickly

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse is to allow the client the time needed to dress. Patients with Parkinson's disease may experience difficulties with activities of daily living due to their condition. Allowing the client sufficient time to dress promotes independence and dignity, which are essential aspects of patient-centered care. Asking family members to dress the client may undermine the client's autonomy and self-esteem. Encouraging the client to dress more quickly may lead to frustration and feelings of inadequacy. Demonstrating methods on how to dress more quickly may not address the underlying challenges the client faces and could be perceived as insensitive or dismissive of the client's needs.

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