Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is caring for a client with hypokalemia. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Muscle weakness.
• B. Irregular heart rate.
• C. Increased urinary output.
• D. Decreased deep tendon reflexes.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Decreased deep tendon reflexes are a critical finding in hypokalemia that indicates severe potassium deficiency affecting neuromuscular function. Immediate intervention is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications such as respiratory failure or cardiac arrhythmias. Muscle weakness, irregular heart rate, and increased urinary output are also associated with hypokalemia but do not pose the same level of urgency as decreased deep tendon reflexes.

2. A home health nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for several clients with heart failure. Which client finding would the nurse report to the health care provider immediately?

• A. Total cholesterol 190
• B. Glycosylated hemoglobin of 7%
• C. B-type natriuretic peptide 550 pg/ml (more than 100 is concerning)
• D. Potassium 3.7

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An elevated B-type natriuretic peptide level indicates worsening heart failure, requiring immediate attention. This biomarker reflects the severity of heart failure and helps guide treatment decisions. Total cholesterol and glycosylated hemoglobin are important for assessing cardiovascular risk and diabetes management but are not indicative of acute heart failure exacerbation. A potassium level of 3.7 falls within the normal range and does not suggest an immediate concern in the context of heart failure.

3. A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with pneumonia. Which finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Oxygen saturation of 88%
• B. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute
• C. Heart rate of 90 beats per minute
• D. Productive cough with green sputum

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In a client with COPD admitted with pneumonia, a productive cough with green sputum indicates a potential bacterial infection. Green sputum is commonly associated with bacterial pneumonia, which requires immediate intervention with appropriate antibiotics. Monitoring oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and heart rate are essential in COPD patients, but the presence of green sputum suggests an urgent need for targeted treatment to address the underlying infection. Oxygen saturation of 88% is concerning but may not directly indicate the need for immediate intervention in the absence of other critical symptoms. Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute and a heart rate of 90 beats per minute are within normal limits and may not be indicative of an acute issue requiring immediate intervention in this context.

4. The healthcare professional is conducting a community assessment to identify health needs. Which method is most effective for gathering comprehensive data?

• A. conducting focus groups with community members
• B. reviewing local health department reports
• C. surveying healthcare providers in the area
• D. analyzing hospital admission records

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Conducting focus groups with community members is the most effective method for gathering comprehensive data during a community assessment. This approach allows direct interaction with community members, fostering in-depth discussions that provide insights into the specific health needs and concerns of the community. Choice B, reviewing local health department reports, may offer valuable data but might not capture the nuanced perspectives and experiences of community members. Choice C, surveying healthcare providers, provides insights from a professional standpoint but may not fully represent the community's diverse health needs. Choice D, analyzing hospital admission records, offers information on healthcare utilization but may overlook important social determinants of health and community-specific issues that can only be addressed through direct engagement with community members.

5. A client with a history of coronary artery disease is admitted with chest pain. Which finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Heart rate of 90 beats per minute.
• B. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg.
• C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute.
• D. Chest pain radiating to the left arm.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Chest pain radiating to the left arm can be a sign of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and requires immediate intervention. This symptom is known as a classic presentation of a heart attack and warrants urgent medical attention to prevent further cardiac damage. Choices A, B, and C are not directly indicative of an acute cardiac event and may not require immediate intervention in this scenario. While heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate are important vital signs to monitor, they do not specifically indicate the urgency associated with chest pain radiating to the left arm in a patient with a history of coronary artery disease.

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