Nursing Elites

1. When percussing over the lungs of a 4-year-old child, the nurse hears bilateral loud, long, and low tones. How should the nurse proceed?

• A. Palpate over the area for increased pain and tenderness.
• B. Ask the child to take shallow breaths and percuss over the area again.
• C. Refer the child to a specialist because of an increased amount of air in the lungs.
• D. Consider this finding as normal for a child this age and proceed with the examination.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In pediatric patients, loud, long, and low tones heard when percussing over the lungs are normal findings. These percussion notes are characteristic of a child's lung due to its thin chest wall and increased air content. It is unnecessary to palpate for pain and tenderness, ask the child to take shallow breaths and repeat the percussion, or refer the child to a specialist. Therefore, the correct action is to consider these findings as normal for the child's age and continue with the examination.

2. What does the term 'Afferent Nerve' mean?

• A. Carrying an impulse to the brain
• B. Carrying an impulse away from the brain
• C. Carrying impulses to the motor neurons of the appendicular muscles
• D. None of the above

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Carrying an impulse to the brain.' Afferent nerves are sensory nerves that carry signals from sensory receptors towards the central nervous system, including the brain. Choice B, 'Carrying an impulse away from the brain,' is incorrect as this describes efferent nerves which carry signals from the central nervous system to muscles and glands. Choice C, 'Carrying impulses to the motor neurons of the appendicular muscles,' is incorrect as it describes a different type of nerve function. Choice D, 'None of the above,' is incorrect as the correct definition of afferent nerve is indeed 'Carrying an impulse to the brain.'

3. When percussing over the abdomen of an obese patient, the nurse is unable to identify any changes in sound. What would the nurse do next?

• A. Ask the patient to take deep breaths to relax the abdominal musculature.
• B. Consider this finding as normal and proceed with the abdominal assessment.
• C. Increase the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen.
• D. Decrease the amount of strength used when attempting to percuss over the abdomen.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When percussing an obese patient's abdomen, the thickness of their body wall can affect the sound produced. A stronger percussion stroke is needed for obese or very muscular patients. The force of the blow determines the loudness of the note. Asking the patient to take deep breaths, considering the finding as normal, or decreasing the strength used are not appropriate actions in this scenario.

4. Patients who cannot move in their bed on their own should be turned at least ________________.

• A. once a day
• B. twice a day
• C. every 2 hours
• D. every 4 hours

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Patients who are unable to move in bed are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers and skin breakdown due to prolonged pressure on specific body areas. Turning these patients at least every 2 hours is crucial to relieve pressure, improve circulation, and prevent skin damage. More frequent turning may be necessary for patients with specific needs, such as those who are incontinent of urine and require additional care. Turning patients less frequently, such as once a day, twice a day, or every 4 hours, increases the risk of developing pressure ulcers and other complications. Therefore, the correct answer is to turn patients who cannot move in their bed on their own every 2 hours.

5. For a patient with cirrhosis, which of the following nursing actions can the registered nurse (RN) delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

• A. Assessing the patient for jaundice
• B. Providing oral hygiene after a meal
• C. Palpating the abdomen for distention
• D. Assisting the patient to choose the diet

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Providing oral hygiene after a meal is an appropriate task to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) as it falls within their scope of practice. UAP can assist with basic personal care activities like oral hygiene. Assessing the patient for jaundice and palpating the abdomen for distention involve making clinical assessments that require a higher level of education and training, typically performed by licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs) or registered nurses (RNs). Assisting the patient to choose the diet also requires specialized knowledge and would be more appropriate for a nurse to address, considering the complexity of dietary requirements in cirrhosis.

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