Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is assessing the vital signs of a 3-year-old patient who appears to have an irregular respiratory pattern. How would the nurse assess this child's respirations?

• A. Respirations should be counted for 1 full minute.
• B. Child's pulse and respirations should be simultaneously checked for 30 seconds and then multiplied by 2.
• C. Child's respirations should be checked for a minimum of 5 minutes to identify any variations in his or her respiratory pattern.
• D. Patient's respirations should be counted for 15 seconds and then multiplied by 4.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To accurately assess a child's respiratory pattern, the nurse should count respirations for a full minute. This duration provides a comprehensive view of the child's breathing pattern, ensuring abnormalities are not missed. Counting for only 30 seconds may not capture irregularities effectively. Checking respirations for 5 minutes is excessive and unnecessary for a routine assessment. Counting for 15 seconds and multiplying by 4 is not as precise as a full-minute count. Pulse and respirations should not be checked simultaneously; instead, the nurse should count respirations unobtrusively while appearing to take the child's pulse. Therefore, the correct approach is to count the child's respirations for 1 full minute to obtain an accurate assessment.

2. Which of the following is NOT an acceptable abbreviation?

• A. D/C
• B. tid
• C. bid
• D. qid

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: D/C. D/C is not an acceptable abbreviation as it can be easily confused with both 'discharge' and 'discontinue.' The abbreviations 'tid' (three times a day), 'bid' (twice a day), and 'qid' (four times a day) are commonly used in medical contexts to indicate dosing frequencies and are widely accepted in healthcare settings.

3. In which of these patients would rectal temperatures be measured?

• A. Older adult
• B. Critically ill patient
• C. School-age child
• D. Patient receiving oxygen via nasal cannula

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rectal temperature measurement is preferred in situations where other routes are impractical or when the most accurate measure is necessary, such as in critically ill patients. The rectal route may be chosen due to its reliability in such cases. For older adults, school-age children, and patients receiving oxygen via nasal cannula, rectal temperature measurement is not typically indicated. Other routes like oral, tympanic, or axillary measurements are more commonly used in these populations due to comfort, convenience, and non-invasive nature.

4. Your patient who had AIDS/HIV has just died. Should you still use standard precautions as you provide post-mortem care?

• A. Yes, because the virus is still transmissible
• B. Yes, because respect must still be maintained
• C. No, because the virus is no longer transmissible
• D. No, because it is disrespectful

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Yes, you should still use standard precautions even after an HIV/AIDS patient has died. The virus can remain infectious after death, and healthcare workers need to protect themselves from potential exposure. Choice B is incorrect because while respect is important, the primary reason for using standard precautions is to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. Choice C is incorrect as the virus can still be transmissible even after the patient's death. Choice D is incorrect as using standard precautions is a matter of infection control, not a question of respect.

5. Which of the following signs or symptoms indicates a possible nutritional deficiency?

• A. Subcutaneous fat at the waist and abdomen
• B. Presence of papillae on the surface of the tongue
• C. Straight arms and legs
• D. Pale conjunctiva

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A client with poor nutritional intake may have pale mucous membranes surrounding the eye, or the conjunctiva. This area should normally be pink, indicating good circulation and a lack of irritation or dryness. Improper nutrition can manifest as numerous signs in the body, including bowed legs, pale mucous membranes, a smooth or beefy tongue, and poor muscle tone. Subcutaneous fat at the waist and abdomen is not a sign of nutritional deficiency but rather of excess fat deposition. The presence of papillae on the surface of the tongue is normal and not indicative of a nutritional deficiency. Straight arms and legs are also typical anatomical features and not specifically related to nutritional deficiencies.

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