Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a client on the first postoperative day following a surgical repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Which nursing diagnosis is the most important for this client?

• A. Risk for infection
• B. Deficient knowledge
• C. Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion
• D. Activity intolerance

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Peripheral tissue perfusion is a major concern in the postoperative period following an abdominal aneurysm repair. Peripheral pulses should be checked frequently during the first 24 hours. A weak or absent pulse may be a sign of embolization or graft closure, especially if accompanied by a pale, cold, mottled extremity; the nurse should immediately report this to the surgeon. Risk for infection, deficient knowledge, and activity intolerance are all important nursing diagnoses in the postoperative period, but peripheral tissue perfusion is the most immediate concern.

2. Which of the following conditions is most likely to directly cause peritonitis?

• A. Cholelithiasis
• B. Gastritis
• C. Perforated ulcer
• D. Incarcerated hernia

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A perforated ulcer is most likely to directly cause peritonitis due to the leakage of gastric contents into the peritoneal cavity.

3. Which of the following conditions can cause a hiatal hernia?

• A. Increased intrathoracic pressure
• B. Weakness of the esophageal muscle
• C. Increased esophageal muscle pressure
• D. Weakness of the diaphragmic muscle

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Weakness of the diaphragmic muscle can lead to a hiatal hernia as it allows part of the stomach to push through the diaphragm into the chest cavity.

4. A 30-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with complaints of severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea. The nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the patient's intravenous therapy. Which of the following laboratory tests BEST reflects hydration status?

• A. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
• B. White blood cell count.
• C. Hematocrit.
• D. Serum glucose.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hematocrit is the best indicator of hydration status because it reflects the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. An increased hematocrit indicates dehydration, as the blood becomes more concentrated due to fluid loss. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Choice A) is a nonspecific marker of inflammation, not hydration status. White blood cell count (Choice B) is an indicator of infection or inflammation. Serum glucose (Choice D) is used to monitor blood sugar levels, not hydration status.

5. If a client had irritable bowel syndrome, which of the following diagnostic tests would determine if the diagnosis is Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?

• A. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan
• B. Abdominal x-ray
• C. Barium swallow
• D. Colonoscopy with biopsy

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A colonoscopy with biopsy is the most definitive diagnostic test to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

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