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. When planning a scoliosis screening clinic, which age group should be included?

• A. early adolescent girls
• B. late adolescent boys
• C. 7-10 year old boys
• D. preschoolers of both genders

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is early adolescent girls. Scoliosis is most commonly diagnosed during early adolescence, with girls being more affected than boys. Including early adolescent girls in the screening clinic aligns with the age group that is at higher risk for scoliosis. Late adolescent boys (choice B) are less likely to develop scoliosis compared to early adolescent girls. 7-10 year old boys (choice C) are typically younger than the age group where scoliosis is commonly diagnosed. Preschoolers of both genders (choice D) are too young for scoliosis screening as the condition usually manifests during adolescence.

3. The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for a client who is newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Which instruction should the nurse include?

• A. Take levothyroxine (Synthroid) at bedtime.
• B. Increase fiber intake to prevent constipation.
• C. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
• D. Take a double dose if a dose is missed.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism is to take the medication on an empty stomach. This is important because taking levothyroxine on an empty stomach ensures better absorption of the medication. Choice A, taking levothyroxine at bedtime, is incorrect as it does not promote optimal absorption. Choice B, increasing fiber intake to prevent constipation, is important but not the priority when it comes to medication administration. Choice D, taking a double dose if a dose is missed, is dangerous and should never be advised as it can lead to overdose and serious side effects.

4. The healthcare provider is conducting a health assessment for a family living in a high-crime area. Which intervention should the healthcare provider prioritize to ensure the family's safety?

• A. providing information on local crime statistics
• B. teaching the family self-defense techniques
• C. helping the family develop a safety plan
• D. encouraging the family to move to a safer neighborhood

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Developing a safety plan is the most appropriate intervention as it helps the family prepare for potential emergencies and enhances their overall sense of security. Providing information on local crime statistics may raise awareness but does not directly address safety planning. Teaching self-defense techniques may have limited effectiveness in a high-crime area where the family may face multiple threats. Encouraging the family to move to a safer neighborhood is not always feasible due to various reasons such as financial constraints or social ties to the current community.

5. When developing a program to support caregivers of elderly patients, which topic should be prioritized in the first session?

• A. Managing medication schedules
• B. Recognizing signs of caregiver burnout
• C. Effective communication with healthcare providers
• D. Navigating insurance and financial issues

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Recognizing signs of caregiver burnout is the most critical topic to prioritize in the first session. Caregiver burnout can have detrimental effects on both the caregiver and the elderly patient's well-being. By addressing this issue early on, caregivers can learn to identify the signs of burnout, take necessary steps to prevent it, and ensure they can continue providing effective care for their loved ones. Managing medication schedules, effective communication with healthcare providers, and navigating insurance and financial issues are also important aspects to cover in the program. However, recognizing signs of caregiver burnout is essential for the overall health and quality of care provided by the caregivers.

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