Nursing Elites

1. The nurse assesses the chest of a patient with pneumococcal pneumonia. Which finding would the nurse expect?

• A. Increased tactile fremitus
• B. Dry, nonproductive cough
• C. Hyperresonance to percussion
• D. A grating sound on auscultation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Increased tactile fremitus over the area of pulmonary consolidation is expected with bacterial pneumonias, such as pneumococcal pneumonia. Dullness to percussion would be expected due to consolidation. Pneumococcal pneumonia typically presents with a loose, productive cough rather than a dry, nonproductive cough. Hyperresonance to percussion is not a typical finding in pneumonia and may suggest conditions like emphysema. Adventitious breath sounds such as crackles and wheezes are typical in pneumonia, but a grating sound on auscultation is more representative of a pleural friction rub rather than pneumonia.

2. A patient presents to the office with a pencil that has completely penetrated the palm of her hand. Which of the following treatments would be BEST in this situation?

• A. Assist the doctor while he sedates the patient and removes the pencil from her hand.
• B. Have the patient gently pull the pencil out of her hand and assist the physician with stitches.
• C. Wrap a gauze around the pencil, securing it as much as possible until the patient can get to a local emergency room.
• D. Tell the patient to go to the local emergency room. With a doctor's order, give the patient some aspirin for the pain.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Penetrating wounds that leave an object behind may have damaged important blood vessels. Removing the object may lead to significant bleeding. The correct approach is to gently wrap the wound with the object in place to help control bleeding and prevent further injury. The patient should be taken promptly to the nearest emergency room where healthcare professionals can safely and appropriately remove the object and provide necessary treatment. Choice A is incorrect because removing the pencil without proper medical evaluation can worsen the injury. Choice B is incorrect because pulling out the object can cause additional damage and bleeding. Choice D is incorrect because giving aspirin without knowing the extent of the injury and causing potential drug interactions can be harmful.

3. The healthcare provider is assessing the mental status of a client admitted with possible organic brain disorder. Which of these questions will best assess the function of the client's recent memory?

• A. Name the year. What season is this? (pause for answer after each question)
• B. Subtract 7 from 100 and then subtract 7 from that. (pause for answer) Now continue to subtract 7 from the new number.
• C. I am going to say the names of three things, and I want you to repeat them after me: blue, ball, pen.
• D. What is this on my wrist? (point to your watch) Then ask, What is the purpose of it?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to ask the client to perform a calculation that involves working memory and processing skills. This question not only assesses the recent memory but also evaluates attention and executive functioning. The choice 'I am going to say the names of three things, and I want you to repeat them after me: blue, ball, pen' assesses immediate recall rather than recent memory. Asking about the current year or season tests orientation rather than recent memory. Inquiring about the watch and its purpose assesses comprehension and judgment rather than recent memory.

4. The nurse is discussing negativism with the parents of a 30-month-old child. How should the nurse advise the parents to best respond to this behavior?

• A. Reprimand the child and give a 15-minute 'time out'
• B. Maintain a permissive attitude for this behavior
• C. Use patience and a sense of humor to deal with this behavior
• D. Assert authority over the child through limit setting

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Use patience and a sense of humor to deal with this behavior. The nurse should help the parents understand that negativism is a normal part of a toddler's growth towards autonomy. Reacting with patience and humor can help diffuse the situation and maintain a positive relationship with the child. Reprimanding the child and giving a 'time out' (Choice A) may not be effective for addressing negativism and can lead to power struggles. Maintaining a permissive attitude (Choice B) may reinforce negative behavior. Asserting authority through limit setting (Choice D) may be necessary in some situations, but using patience and humor is a more effective initial approach for handling negativism.

5. The nurse reviews the record of a child who is suspected to have glomerulonephritis. Which statement by the child's parent should the nurse expect that is associated with this diagnosis?

• A. ''His pediatrician said his kidneys are working well.''
• B. ''I noticed his urine was the color of cola lately.''
• C. ''I'm so glad they didn't find any protein in his urine.''
• D. ''The nurse who admitted my child said his blood pressure was low.''

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Glomerulonephritis refers to a group of kidney disorders characterized by inflammatory injury in the glomerulus. Gross hematuria, resulting in dark, smoky, cola-colored, or brown-colored urine, is a classic symptom of glomerulonephritis. Blood urea nitrogen levels and serum creatinine levels may be elevated, indicating that kidney function is compromised. A mild to moderate elevation in protein in the urine is associated with glomerulonephritis. Hypertension is also common because of fluid volume overload secondary to the kidneys not working properly. Therefore, the parent's statement about noticing cola-colored urine aligns with the expected symptom in glomerulonephritis. The other options are less indicative of glomerulonephritis: choice A indicates normal kidney function, choice C mentions absence of protein in the urine (which is not expected in glomerulonephritis), and choice D talks about low blood pressure (hypertension is more common in glomerulonephritis).

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