Nursing Elites

1. Six hours after major abdominal surgery, a male client complains of severe abdominal pain; is pale and perspiring; has a thready, rapid pulse; and states he feels faint. The nurse checks the client’s medication administration record and determines that the client receives another injection of pain medication in an hour. What is the appropriate action by the nurse?

• A. Explain to the client that it is too early to have an injection for pain
• B. Call the practitioner, report the client’s symptoms, and obtain further orders
• C. Reposition the client for greater comfort and turn on the television as a distraction
• D. Prepare the injection and administer it to the client early because of the severe pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to call the practitioner, report the client’s symptoms, and obtain further orders. The client's symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, pallor, perspiration, thready rapid pulse, and feeling faint, are indicative of potential complications like internal bleeding, which require immediate medical evaluation. Explaining to the client that it is too early for pain medication or repositioning the client for comfort are not appropriate actions given the severity of the symptoms. Administering the injection early without consulting the practitioner can be dangerous and may worsen the client's condition.

2. After attempting suicide by taking 200 acetaminophen (Tylenol) tablets, a client is transferred from the emergency department to the locked psychiatric unit. The client is now awake and alert but refuses to speak with the nurse. In this situation, what is the nurse’s first priority?

• A. Establish a rapport to foster trust
• B. Place the client in full restraints
• C. Try to communicate with the client in writing
• D. Ensure safety by initiating suicide precautions

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse's first priority in this situation is to ensure the client's safety by initiating suicide precautions. This involves removing any potential means of self-harm and closely monitoring the client to prevent further attempts. While establishing rapport and communication are important, safety is paramount at this critical juncture. Placing the client in full restraints should be avoided unless absolutely necessary for immediate safety concerns.

3. Participating in the development of long-term and preventive health goals with the patient and their family is a part of which of the following steps for determining and fulfilling the nursing care needs of the patient?

• A. Evaluation
• B. Planning
• C. Implementation
• D. Assessment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Planning. In the nursing process, planning involves developing long-term and preventive health goals in collaboration with the patient and their family. This step focuses on outlining the strategies and interventions needed to achieve the desired outcomes. Choice A, Evaluation, occurs after interventions are implemented to assess the effectiveness of the care provided. Choice C, Implementation, involves carrying out the planned interventions. Choice D, Assessment, is the initial step in the nursing process that involves collecting data to identify the patient's needs and health status.

4. The nurse is preparing to assist in examining a Hispanic child who was brought to the clinic by the mother. During the assessment of the child, the nurse should take which action(s)?

• A. Admiring the child
• B. Taking the child’s temperature
• C. A, D
• D. Obtaining an interpreter if necessary

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a multicultural healthcare setting, it's essential for the nurse to build rapport with the child and family. Admiring the child can help establish trust and comfort. Additionally, since the child's mother brought them to the clinic, it's crucial to ensure effective communication. Obtaining an interpreter, if necessary, is vital for clear and accurate information exchange. Taking the child's temperature, while important in a physical assessment, is not specifically highlighted in this scenario. Therefore, choices A and B alone are not sufficient, making the correct answer C, which includes both building rapport by admiring the child and ensuring clear communication by obtaining an interpreter if needed.

5. Who is the first individual in the combat health support chain to make medically substantiated decisions based on military occupational specialty-specific medical training?

• A. Physician
• B. Physician assistant
• C. Combat medic
• D. Combat lifesaver

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Physician assistant.' Physician assistants are trained to make medically substantiated decisions based on their specific medical training within the combat health support chain. Choice A, 'Physician,' is incorrect as they may be involved but are not typically the first in line for such decisions as physician assistants. Choice C, 'Combat medic,' is incorrect as they usually provide immediate medical care but may not be the first to make medically substantiated decisions. Choice D, 'Combat lifesaver,' is incorrect as they are trained to provide basic life-saving interventions but may not have the specialized medical training to make complex medical decisions.

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