Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a Native American patient who has traditional beliefs about health and illness. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. Avoid asking questions unless the patient initiates the conversation.
• B. Ask the patient whether it is important that cultural healers are contacted.
• C. Explain the usual hospital routines for meal times, care, and family visits.
• D. Obtain further information about the patient's cultural beliefs from a family member.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When caring for a patient with traditional health beliefs, it is essential to respect and address their cultural practices. Asking the patient whether it is important to involve cultural healers, such as a shaman, aligns with providing culturally sensitive care. Avoiding asking questions unless initiated by the patient may hinder effective communication and understanding of the patient's needs. Consulting a family member for cultural beliefs assumes that all family members share the same beliefs, which may not be accurate. Additionally, the patient's personal beliefs should be prioritized over family input. Explaining hospital routines without considering the patient's cultural preferences may lead to a lack of patient-centered care. Therefore, the most appropriate action is to inquire about the patient's preference regarding cultural healers.

2. The mother of an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit expresses concern about her infant. Which nursing intervention best facilitates mother-infant bonding?

• A. Asking the mother to change her baby's diaper
• B. Assuring the mother that her baby is receiving excellent care
• C. Encouraging the mother to touch her baby whenever possible
• D. Keeping the mother informed about the care the nursing staff is providing her baby

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Encouraging the mother to touch her baby whenever possible is the best intervention to promote mother-infant bonding, especially when the infant is too ill to be held. Physical touch is a powerful way to establish a connection. Mother-infant bonding is a gradual process and encouraging touch can help initiate this bond. Asking the mother to change her baby's diaper is not the most appropriate action to promote bonding in this scenario. Assuring the mother about the care her baby is receiving is important but does not directly enhance bonding. Keeping the mother informed about the care her baby is receiving is crucial, but it alone does not actively foster bonding between the mother and infant.

3. The mother of a 5-month-old is being educated about her baby's nutrition by the nurse. Which statement by the mother indicates the need for further teaching?

• A. ''I'm going to try feeding my baby some rice cereal.''
• B. ''When he wakes at night for a bottle, I feed him.''
• C. ''I dip his pacifier in honey so he'll take it.''
• D. ''I keep formula in the refrigerator for 24 hours.''

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is ''I dip his pacifier in honey so he'll take it.'' This statement indicates a need for further teaching because honey should be avoided in infants due to the risk of infant botulism. Honey may contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can lead to serious illness in infants as they lack the necessary digestive enzymes to eliminate the spores. Feeding rice cereal, responding to night-time feedings, and storing formula in the refrigerator are appropriate practices for infant care, indicating understanding of the instructions.

4. When performing a return demonstration of using a gait belt for a female patient with right-sided weakness, which observation indicates that the caregiver has learned the correct procedure?

• A. Standing on the female patient's strong side, the caregiver is ready to hold the gait belt if any evidence of weakness is observed.
• B. Standing on the female patient's weak side, the caregiver provides security by holding the gait belt from the back.
• C. Standing behind the female patient, the caregiver provides balance by holding both sides of the gait belt.
• D. Standing slightly in front and to the right of the female patient, the caregiver guides her forward by gently pulling on the gait belt.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When assisting a patient with right-sided weakness using a gait belt, the caregiver must stand on the weak side of the patient to provide optimal support and security. By standing on the weak side and holding the gait belt from the back, the caregiver can effectively prevent falls and guide the patient's movements. This position allows for better control over the patient's balance. Standing on the strong side (option A) does not offer the necessary support if the patient leans towards the weak side. Standing behind the patient and holding both sides of the gait belt (option C) does not provide focused support to the weak side. Standing slightly in front and to the right (option D) may not offer adequate assistance to prevent falls on the weak side, making it an incorrect choice.

5. A seriously ill female client tells the nurse, 'I am so tired and in so much pain! Please help me to die.' Which is the best response for the nurse to provide?

• A. Administer the prescribed maximum dose of pain medication.
• B. Talk with the client about her feelings related to her own death.
• C. Collaborate with the healthcare provider about initiating antidepressant therapy.
• D. Refer the client to the ethics committee of her local healthcare facility.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should first assess the client's feelings about her death and determine the extent to which this statement expresses her true feelings. The client may need additional pain management, but further assessment is needed before implementing option A. Option B is the correct response as it focuses on addressing the client's emotional needs and providing support. Option C is premature as initiating antidepressant therapy without a thorough assessment may not be appropriate. Option D is not the best course of action at this point; involving the ethics committee should be considered only after a comprehensive evaluation and discussion with the client.

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