Nursing Elites

1. The NFPA diamond has four colors. The blue diamond:

• A. indicates hazards to health.
• B. designates that it is safe to use water to put out this type of fire.
• C. indicates that ice is necessary to treat an injury with this type of chemical.
• D. indicates that the chemical may be incinerated upon disposal.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) uses a safety diamond to communicate the level of threat posed by a specific chemical. The blue diamond in the NFPA diamond system signifies potential health hazards associated with the use of that chemical. Choice B is incorrect because the blue diamond does not indicate anything about using water to extinguish fires. Choice C is incorrect as the NFPA diamond does not provide information on treating injuries. Choice D is also incorrect as the blue diamond does not suggest incineration upon disposal; it pertains to health hazards.

2. The client is a chronic carrier of infection. To prevent the spread of the infection to other clients or healthcare providers, the nurse emphasizes interventions that do which of the following? (Berman & Snyder, 2012, p. 713)

• A. Eliminate the reservoir
• B. Block the portal of exit from the reservoir
• C. Block the portal of entry into the host
• D. Decrease the susceptibility of the host

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To prevent the spread of infection from a chronic carrier, the nurse should focus on blocking the portal of exit from the reservoir, which is the carrier person. By preventing the movement of the organism from the reservoir, the infection can be contained. Eliminating the reservoir is not feasible in this case as the carrier is a chronic carrier. Blocking the portal of entry into the host or decreasing the susceptibility of the host would only impact individual prevention and not the spread from the carrier to others.

3. Why should direct care providers avoid glued-on artificial nails?

• A. Interfere with dexterity of the fingers.
• B. Could fall off in a patient's bed.
• C. Harbor microorganisms.
• D. Can scratch a patient.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Direct care providers, including nurses, should avoid glued-on artificial nails because studies have shown that artificial nails, especially when cracked, broken, or split, create crevices where microorganisms can thrive and multiply. This can lead to an increased risk of transmitting infections to patients. Therefore, the primary reason for avoiding glued-on artificial nails is their potential to harbor harmful microorganisms, making option C the correct choice. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because while they may present some issues, the primary concern is the risk of microbial contamination associated with artificial nails.

4. After change-of-shift report, which patient should the nurse assess first?

• A. 72-year-old with cor pulmonale who has 4+ bilateral edema in his legs and feet
• B. 28-year-old with a history of a lung transplant and a temperature of 101 F (38.3 C)
• C. 40-year-old with a pleural effusion who is complaining of severe stabbing chest pain
• D. 64-year-old with lung cancer and tracheal deviation after subclavian catheter insertion

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The patient with lung cancer and tracheal deviation after a subclavian catheter insertion should be assessed first. Tracheal deviation can indicate tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention to prevent inadequate cardiac output or hypoxemia. While the other patients also need assessment, the potential for tension pneumothorax in the patient with tracheal deviation necessitates urgent attention to prevent complications.

5. The healthcare provider is reviewing theories of illness. The germ theory, which states that microscopic organisms such as bacteria and viruses are responsible for specific disease conditions, is a basic belief of which theory of illness?

• A. Holistic
• B. Biomedical
• C. Naturalistic
• D. Magicoreligious

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Biomedical. Among the biomedical explanations for disease is the germ theory, which states that microscopic organisms such as bacteria and viruses are responsible for specific disease conditions. The naturalistic or holistic perspective holds that the forces of nature must be kept in natural balance. The magicoreligious perspective holds that supernatural forces dominate and cause illness or health. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the germ theory explanation provided in the question.

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