Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is discussing the need for early diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with parents of children suspected of having the condition. Which statement should the nurse include?

• A. Early diagnosis and treatment provide the only means for a cure of ASD.
• B. Early diagnosis and treatment gives your child the best chance of becoming a fully functioning adult.
• C. Early diagnosis and treatment provides the best way to ensure that your child can be admitted to an assisted living facility as an adult.
• D. Early diagnosis and treatment prevent your child from developing any other mental condition.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct statement for the nurse to include is that early diagnosis and treatment provide the best chance for the child to become a fully functioning adult. It is important to educate parents that while early intervention can improve outcomes for individuals with ASD, it does not offer a cure but helps in managing symptoms and developing necessary skills. Choice A is incorrect as there is currently no cure for ASD. Choice C is inaccurate as early diagnosis and treatment focus on improving the child's quality of life and independence rather than ensuring admission to an assisted living facility. Choice D is incorrect as early diagnosis and treatment of ASD do not prevent the development of other mental health conditions; however, they can help in identifying and managing such conditions early on.

2. You are on the unit and overhear another nurse talking on the phone to a patient's friend who wants to see her patient who is comatose and on a ventilator. Since you cared for that patient yesterday, you know that the patient's significant other, who is also the designated healthcare surrogate (HCS) and has power of attorney (POA), has expressly stated that he wants this person on the list for restricted visitors. The nurse whispers that she'll call him to visit as soon as the significant other has gone home. What should your first response be?

• A. Inform the significant other
• B. Report the nurse to the nurse manager
• C. Speak with the nurse directly in private
• D. Call the visitor and tell him he can't visit

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Speaking with the nurse directly and privately is the most constructive manner in which to handle this situation and advocate for the significant other's wishes. Doing so will open communication with a peer and build the relationship, instead of alienating the other nurse by taking action that does not involve her and will cast her in a negative light with others. It is essential to express your concerns regarding honoring the significant other's requests and rights regarding the limitation of visitors. Option A is incorrect because the significant other is not the one trying to visit, and it is more appropriate to address the nurse directly first. Option B is not the best initial response as it may escalate the situation without giving the nurse a chance to correct the issue. Option D is incorrect as it does not address the issue at its source and may create further conflict without resolving the underlying problem.

3. Employee health test results reveal a tuberculosis (TB) skin test of 16-mm induration and a negative chest x-ray for a staff nurse working on the pulmonary unit. The nurse has no symptoms of TB. Which information should the occupational health nurse plan to teach the staff nurse?

• A. Standard four-drug therapy for TB
• B. Need for annual repeat TB skin testing
• C. Use and side effects of isoniazid (INH)
• D. Bacille Calmette-Gurin (BCG) vaccine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse is considered to have a latent TB infection and should be treated with INH daily for 6 to 9 months. The four-drug therapy would be appropriate if the nurse had active TB. TB skin testing is not done for individuals who have already had a positive skin test. BCG vaccine is not used in the United States for TB and would not be helpful for this individual, who already has a TB infection.

4. What would a healthcare professional expect to observe while assessing the growth of children during their school-age years?

• A. Decreasing amounts of body fat and muscle mass
• B. Little change in body appearance from year to year
• C. Progressive height increase of 4 inches each year
• D. Yearly weight gain of about 5.5 pounds per year

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During school-age years, children typically gain about 5.5 pounds per year and increase in height by about 2 inches annually. This steady growth pattern is expected between ages 2 to 10 years. Choice A is incorrect as children at this stage are expected to gain weight and grow in height. Choice B is incorrect as there should be noticeable changes in body appearance due to growth. Choice C is incorrect as a progressive height increase of 4 inches each year is not typical during the school-age years.

5. A 58-year-old client is being tested for rheumatoid arthritis. Her physician orders an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Which of the following results is most likely to be associated with arthritis?

• A. 5 mm/hr
• B. 12 mm/hr
• C. 28 mm/hr
• D. 40 mm/hr

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measures levels of inflammation in the body. Elevated ESR levels are commonly seen in autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis due to the presence of inflammation. In women over 50 years old, a normal ESR is typically below 30 mm/hr. Therefore, a result of 40 mm/hr is more indicative of arthritis in a 58-year-old individual. Choices A, B, and C are below the normal ESR range for a woman of this age and would not be as strongly associated with arthritis.

Similar Questions