Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is assessing a client with Addison's disease who is weak, dizzy, disoriented, and has dry oral mucous membranes, poor skin turgor, and sunken eyes. Vital signs are blood pressure 94/44, heart rate 123 beats/minute, respiration 22 breaths/minute. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

• A. Assess extremity strength and resistance
• B. Report a sodium level of 132 mEq/L or mmol/L (SI units)
• C. Measure and record the cardiac QRS complex
• D. Check current finger stick glucose

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The client’s symptoms suggest possible adrenal crisis or hypoglycemia. Checking glucose is a priority to rule out hypoglycemia, which requires immediate intervention. The client is presenting with symptoms indicative of hypoglycemia, which can be life-threatening if not promptly addressed. Assessing extremity strength, reporting sodium levels, or measuring the cardiac QRS complex are not the most urgent actions in this scenario.

2. Several clients on a telemetry unit are scheduled for discharge in the morning, but a telemetry-monitored bed is needed immediately. The charge nurse should make arrangements to transfer which client to another medical unit? The client who is

• A. Learning to self-administer insulin injections after being diagnosed with diabetes mellitus
• B. Ambulatory following coronary artery bypass graft surgery performed six days ago.
• C. Wearing a sling immobilizer following permanent pacemaker insertion earlier that day
• D. Experiencing syncopal episodes resulting from dehydration caused by severe diarrhea

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the client who is ambulatory following coronary artery bypass graft surgery performed six days ago is stable enough for transfer compared to the other clients. Choice A should not be transferred as the client is still in the learning phase of self-administering insulin injections after being diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, requiring close monitoring. Choice C should not be transferred immediately after having a permanent pacemaker insertion as they need telemetry monitoring for any complications. Choice D should not be transferred as the client is experiencing syncopal episodes due to dehydration caused by severe diarrhea, requiring immediate intervention and close monitoring on the telemetry unit.

3. The mother of a teenager is told that her son has recently been found stealing from other students at school. The mother's response is, 'I cannot think about that today.' The nurse determines that this mother is using which defense mechanism?

• A. Suppression
• B. Repression
• C. Sublimation
• D. Undoing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, Suppression. Suppression involves a conscious effort to avoid dealing with distressing thoughts or feelings. In this case, the mother is consciously choosing not to think about her son's behavior. Choice B, Repression, involves unconsciously blocking out distressing thoughts or feelings. Choice C, Sublimation, is the channeling of unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable behaviors, which is not demonstrated in this scenario. Choice D, Undoing, is a defense mechanism where a person tries to undo or reverse a negative thought or action by performing a contrary behavior, which is not applicable here.

4. The nurse notes that an older adult client has a moist cough that increases in severity during and after meals. Based on this finding, what action should the nurse take?

• A. Encourage the client to perform deep breathing exercises daily.
• B. Offer the client additional clear fluids frequently.
• C. Collect a sputum specimen immediately.
• D. Request a consultation to confirm dysphagia

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The moist cough that worsens during and after meals suggests possible dysphagia, a condition related to swallowing difficulties. Requesting a consultation for dysphagia is essential for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Encouraging the client to perform deep breathing exercises (choice A) may not address the underlying issue of dysphagia. Offering additional clear fluids (choice B) may not be appropriate for someone with swallowing difficulties. Collecting a sputum specimen (choice C) is not the priority in this scenario as the focus should be on identifying and managing the swallowing problem.

5. What is the primary focus of postoperative nursing care for the client with colon trauma?

• A. Monitoring for elevated coagulation studies
• B. Observation for and prevention of fistulas
• C. Monitoring for signs of hyponatremia
• D. Observation for and prevention of infection

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Observation for and prevention of infection. Postoperative nursing care for a client with colon trauma primarily focuses on preventing infections. Clients with colon trauma are at high risk for infections due to the disruption of the intestinal barrier. Monitoring for signs of infection, maintaining proper wound care, administering antibiotics as prescribed, and implementing strict aseptic techniques are essential in preventing postoperative infections. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because elevated coagulation studies, fistulas, and hyponatremia are not the primary concerns in the immediate postoperative period for a client with colon trauma.

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