Nursing Elites

1. Jack is a 2-month-old with a diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I. He has been admitted to the hospital for progressive respiratory difficulty. His parents have been informed that if he is not placed on ventilatory support, he will continue to decompensate and die of respiratory failure. Jack's physician discusses the poor prognosis of Jack's condition, and tells the parents that he will not be able to be removed from ventilatory support once it is initiated, due to his progressive neurological disease. After much discussion, the parents have decided to decline ventilatory support, agree to a do not resuscitate (DNR) order, and request hospice care for Jack. Another parent heard them discussing Jack's situation in the waiting room and says she could never do that to her baby. What is the most appropriate response to this parent?

• A. You never know what you'll do until you're in that situation.
• B. I can't discuss another patient's situation.
• C. They have been through too much already.
• D. You can contact administration with your concerns.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In healthcare settings, privacy regulations prevent professionals from discussing patient situations with individuals not involved in that patient's care. Maintaining patient confidentiality is crucial to protect sensitive information. In this scenario, sharing details about Jack's situation with the parent who overheard the conversation would breach confidentiality. It is important to handle such situations delicately, especially in emotional environments like intensive care unit waiting rooms. While empathy and support are essential, it is equally crucial to respect patient privacy and confidentiality. Therefore, responding with 'I can't discuss another patient's situation' is the most appropriate and professional response in this context.

2. Asepsis is defined as ________________.

• A. the absence of all microorganisms
• B. the absence of disease-causing germs
• C. a urinary infection
• D. a pathogenic infection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Asepsis is defined as the absence of disease-causing germs. It is surgical asepsis that is defined as the absence of all microorganisms, including spores. A pathogenic infection is an invasion of the body by a pathogen, or disease-causing germ, and a urinary infection is only one type of infection.

3. A nurse is caring for an 83-year-old man who has had swallowing difficulties. All of the following interventions are appropriate for this client EXCEPT:

• A. Keep the client in an upright position at all times
• B. Auscultate lung sounds every shift and after feedings
• C. Maintain suction equipment at the client's bedside
• D. Instruct the client about how to perform swallowing exercises

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When caring for a client with swallowing difficulties, it is crucial to prevent aspiration of food into the lungs. Appropriate interventions include auscultating lung sounds every shift and after feedings to assess for any changes in breathing patterns, maintaining suction equipment at the client's bedside in case of difficulties, and providing instruction on swallowing exercises. Keeping the client in an upright position at all times is not necessary and may not always be feasible or comfortable for the client. This rigid requirement is not part of the standard care protocol for managing swallowing difficulties.

4. During an adolescent examination, the nurse asks a 13-year-old female to bend forward at the waist with arms hanging freely. Which of the following assessments is the nurse most likely conducting?

• A. Spinal flexibility
• B. Leg length disparity
• C. Hypostatic blood pressure
• D. Scoliosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is scoliosis. During the assessment for scoliosis, the nurse asks the adolescent to bend forward at the waist with arms hanging freely to observe for any lateral deviation of the spine, uneven rib levels, or asymmetry. This assessment is a routine part of an adolescent examination, especially in females, as scoliosis is more common in this population. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Spinal flexibility is usually assessed through different maneuvers, leg length disparity is evaluated by measuring the length of the legs, and hypostatic blood pressure refers to a decrease in blood pressure due to immobility.

5. What information should be collected when assessing the health status of a community?

• A. Air pollution levels
• B. Number of health food stores
• C. Most common causes of death
• D. Education level of the individuals

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When assessing the health status of a community, it is crucial to gather data on various health measures such as the most common causes of death. This information helps in understanding the prevalent health issues within the community. Factors like air pollution levels, the number of health food stores, and the education level of individuals are important community aspects but do not directly reflect the health status of the community. Therefore, the correct answer is to collect data on the most common causes of death as it provides insights into the major health concerns affecting the community.

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