Nursing Elites

1. Which organ produces and secretes bicarbonate ions and insulin?

• A. Stomach
• B. Pancreas
• C. Large intestine
• D. Small intestine

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The pancreas is the correct answer because it performs two vital functions: producing bicarbonate ions to neutralize stomach acid in the small intestine and secreting insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. The stomach is incorrect because its primary function is to break down and digest food, not produce bicarbonate ions or insulin. The large and small intestines are also incorrect because their primary functions are to absorb nutrients and water from food, rather than producing bicarbonate ions or insulin.

2. A patient is admitted to the emergency room and is found to have proteinuria, a low serum albumin level, edema, and elevated blood lipids. Which condition do these symptoms typically associate with?

• A. Nephrotic syndrome
• B. Acute kidney injury
• C. Rejection of a kidney transplant
• D. Renal colic

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by proteinuria (excess protein in urine), hypoalbuminemia (low serum albumin), edema (swelling due to fluid buildup), and hyperlipidemia (elevated blood lipids). These symptoms occur as a result of damage to the kidneys' filtering units. Acute kidney injury, rejection of a kidney transplant, and renal colic do not present with the same combination of symptoms as nephrotic syndrome. Acute kidney injury typically presents with a sudden decrease in kidney function, resulting in a build-up of waste products in the blood. Rejection of a kidney transplant may present with fever, pain at the transplant site, and changes in urine output. Renal colic usually presents with intense pain in the lower back or side, related to kidney stones.

3. List 2 Dispensable amino acids

• A. Alanine
• B. Serine
• C. Glycine
• D. Proline

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Dispensable amino acids, such as alanine and serine, can be synthesized by the body and are not required to be obtained from the diet.

4. The nurse is working with a patient who recently had a stroke. The patient frequently chokes and coughs when eating and is having difficulty feeding herself. What is the best way to ensure adequate nutrition?

• A. to have an aide feed her at each meal
• B. to ask a family member to assist during meals
• C. to provide tube feedings for the patient
• D. to initiate TPN for the patient

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best way to ensure adequate nutrition for a stroke patient who frequently chokes and coughs when eating and has difficulty feeding herself is to provide tube feedings. Tube feedings are a safe and effective method to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach or intestines, bypassing the swallowing mechanism, reducing the risk of aspiration. Having an aide feed her each meal (choice A) may not address the underlying issue of swallowing difficulty and aspiration risk. Asking a family member to be present at each meal (choice B) does not provide a definitive solution to the patient's nutritional needs. Placing the patient on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (choice D) is a more invasive and typically reserved for patients who cannot tolerate enteral feedings or have non-functional gastrointestinal tracts.

5. Mrs. Seva also tells the nurse that she is often constipated. Because she is aging, what physical changes predispose her to constipation?

• A. inhibition of the parasympathetic reflex
• B. weakness of sphincter muscles of anus
• C. loss of tone of the smooth muscles of the colon
• D. decreased ability to absorb fluids in the lower intestines

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Effective nursing care involves comprehensive assessments that address all aspects of a patient's condition, ensuring that interventions are appropriately targeted and outcomes are optimized.

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