Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is assessing the client recently returned from surgery. The nurse is aware that the best way to assess pain is to:

• A. Take the blood pressure, pulse, and temperature
• B. Ask the client to rate his pain on a scale of 0-5
• C. Watch the client's facial expression
• D. Ask the client if he is in pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The best way to evaluate pain levels is to ask the client to rate his pain on a scale. This method provides a more standardized and quantifiable measure of pain compared to subjective observations like facial expressions (choice C) or direct questioning (choice D). Monitoring vital signs (choice A) can be part of pain assessment but is not as specific or reliable as asking the client to self-report pain intensity.

2. A nurse notes that an elderly client suddenly does not keep appointments and is not wearing appropriate clothing. Which statement by the client raises the suspicion of financial abuse?

• A. "I am having difficulty paying for this new antibiotic the physician prescribed."?
• B. "I am a little short on cash since my daughter moved in to help me."?
• C. "I have not felt like shopping since the weather has gotten worse."?
• D. "People do not realize how difficult it is to make ends meet on a fixed income."?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "I am a little short on cash since my daughter moved in to help me."? This statement raises suspicion of financial abuse as it suggests a recent change in financial circumstances after the daughter moved in. Financial abuse in elderly clients can be indicated by sudden unexplained financial deficits or changes, such as difficulty paying for necessities despite previously being able to do so. Choices A, C, and D do not directly imply a recent financial change due to external factors, making them less indicative of potential financial abuse. Option B is the most concerning statement that warrants further investigation into possible financial exploitation.

3. The nurse is caring for a dying client who has persistently requested that the nurse 'help her to die and be in peace.' According to the Code of Ethics for Nurses, the nurse should:

• A. Ask the client if she has signed an advance directives document.
• B. Tell the client that another nurse will be assigned to care for her.
• C. Instruct the client that only a physician can legally assist in suicide.
• D. Try to make the client as comfortable as possible, but refuse to assist in death.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: According to the Code of Ethics for Nurses, the nurse should try to make the client as comfortable as possible but refuse to assist in death. It is not within the scope of nursing practice to assist in death, even if requested by the client. Choice A is incorrect as advance directives do not directly relate to the client's request for assistance in dying. Choice B is inappropriate as passing the responsibility to another nurse does not address the ethical dilemma at hand. Choice C is incorrect because instructing the client that only a physician can legally assist in suicide does not address the ethical considerations involved in the request. Therefore, the most appropriate action for the nurse is to provide comfort measures while upholding ethical standards and not participating in ending the client's life.

4. A client with cancer develops xerostomia. The nurse can help alleviate the discomfort associated with xerostomia by:

• A. Offering hard candy
• B. Administering analgesic medications
• C. Splinting swollen joints
• D. Providing saliva substitute

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Xerostomia is dry mouth, a common side effect in cancer patients. Providing a saliva substitute helps alleviate the discomfort associated with dry mouth by moistening the oral mucosa. Offering hard candy, as mentioned in choice A, can worsen xerostomia by increasing sugar content and potentially causing irritation. Administering analgesic medications, as in choice B, is not directly related to treating dry mouth. Splinting swollen joints, as in choice C, is irrelevant to xerostomia, which primarily affects the oral cavity.

5. There are many types of torts that can be committed against clients. They include all of the following except:

• A. assault.
• B. battery.
• C. negligence.
• D. felony.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'felony.' Felonies are serious crimes punishable by time in prison and are not considered types of torts. Types of torts include assault, battery, negligence, as well as other examples like slander, invasion of privacy, false imprisonment, and fraud. Assault involves the threat of harm, battery involves physical harm, and negligence involves a failure to exercise reasonable care. These are all civil wrongs (torts) rather than criminal offenses (felonies), making 'felony' the correct choice.

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