Nursing Elites

1. Mr. W has orders for a physical therapy consult. The nurse contacts the appropriate department but 12 hours later, no one has come to see the client. Which is the most appropriate action of the nurse?

• A. Call the supervisor and file a complaint against the physical therapy department
• B. Contact the physician to notify him that the orders were not carried out
• C. Assess the client's activity level by assisting with ambulation using a gait belt
• D. Contact the physical therapy department again and repeat the order

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this situation, the most appropriate action for the nurse to take is to contact the physical therapy department again and repeat the order. It is crucial to ensure that the client receives the necessary care as prescribed. Following up with the department reinforces the importance of the order and increases the likelihood of prompt action. Option A is incorrect because escalating the situation to filing a complaint should be a last resort after all other communication attempts have failed. Option B is not the best course of action as the first step should be to ensure proper communication within the healthcare team. Option C is not the priority in this scenario, as the immediate concern is to address the delay in the physical therapy consult.

2. In a clinic in a primarily African American community, a higher incidence of uncontrolled hypertension is noted in patients. To correct this health disparity, what should the nurse do first?

• A. Initiate a regular home-visit program by clinic nurses.
• B. Schedule teaching sessions about low-salt diets at community events.
• C. Assess the perceptions of community members about the care at the clinic.
• D. Obtain low-cost antihypertensive drugs using government grant funding.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To address the higher incidence of uncontrolled hypertension in the primarily African American community, the nurse should first assess the perceptions of community members about the care at the clinic. Understanding the community's perspective can provide valuable insights into the reasons behind the health disparity. Initiating a regular home-visit program or scheduling teaching sessions about low-salt diets are important interventions but should come after gathering information on community perceptions. Obtaining low-cost antihypertensive drugs is not the initial priority; understanding community perspectives is crucial for developing effective interventions.

3. Which of the following may be a cultural barrier that impacts a healthcare provider's ability to provide care or education to the client?

• A. A healthcare provider offers educational materials to a client that are written at an 8th-grade reading level
• B. A Vietnamese woman wants to use steaming in addition to her prescription antibiotics
• C. A healthcare provider uses pantomime to explain a procedure to a deaf client
• D. A Native American client requests a healing ritual before considering surgery

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Cultural barriers can impede communication, hindering a healthcare provider's ability to provide education or instructions about a client's care. In the context of cultural sensitivity, using pantomime to explain a procedure to a deaf client can be ineffective and inappropriate. This approach implies a lack of recognition of the importance of proper communication methods, such as sign language interpreters, which are crucial for effective communication with individuals who are deaf. Miscommunication is likely to occur if the client does not understand the gestures and actions of the healthcare provider. This scenario highlights the significance of understanding and respecting different cultural practices and communication needs to deliver optimal care and education. Choice A is incorrect because offering educational materials at an appropriate reading level demonstrates consideration for the client's literacy level, which can enhance understanding and compliance with medical instructions. Choice B is incorrect as incorporating a client's cultural practices, such as steaming, alongside prescribed treatments can be a part of culturally competent care. Choice D is incorrect as respecting a client's request for a healing ritual aligns with providing patient-centered care that acknowledges and integrates cultural beliefs and preferences.

4. A 58-year-old client is being tested for rheumatoid arthritis. Her physician orders an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Which of the following results is most likely to be associated with arthritis?

• A. 5 mm/hr
• B. 12 mm/hr
• C. 28 mm/hr
• D. 40 mm/hr

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measures levels of inflammation in the body. Elevated ESR levels are commonly seen in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis due to the presence of inflammation. In women over 50 years old, a normal ESR is typically below 30 mm/hr. Therefore, a result of 40 mm/hr is more indicative of arthritis in a 58-year-old individual. Choices A, B, and C are below the normal ESR range for a woman of this age and would not be as strongly associated with arthritis.

5. The clinic nurse teaches a patient with a 42 pack-year history of cigarette smoking about lung disease. Which information will be most important for the nurse to include?

• A. Options for smoking cessation
• B. Reasons for annual sputum cytology testing
• C. Erlotinib (Tarceva) therapy to prevent tumor risk
• D. Computed tomography (CT) screening for lung cancer

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most critical information for the nurse to provide to a patient with a significant smoking history is options for smoking cessation. Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, making smoking cessation essential in reducing the risk of developing the disease. Annual sputum cytology testing is not a standard screening test for lung cancer; instead, CT scanning is being explored for this purpose. Erlotinib therapy is used in lung cancer treatment but not for preventing tumor risk in individuals without cancer. CT screening for lung cancer is still under investigation and is not primarily aimed at prevention but rather early detection in high-risk individuals.

Similar Questions