Nursing Elites

1. During an examination, a nurse notices a draining ulceration on a patient's lower leg. What is the most appropriate action in this situation?

• A. Wash hands and then contact the physician.
• B. Continue to examine the ulceration and then wash hands.
• C. Wash hands, put on gloves, and continue with the examination of the ulceration.
• D. Wash hands, proceed with the rest of the physical examination, and perform the examination of the leg ulceration last.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate action is to wash hands, put on gloves, and then continue examining the ulceration. Wearing gloves is crucial when there is a possibility of contact with body fluids, as in the case of a draining ulceration. Contacting the physician is not necessary at this point; the immediate focus should be on proper infection control by washing hands and wearing gloves. Changing the order of the examination is not recommended as it is important to follow a systematic approach to avoid missing any crucial assessments.

2. A 2-year-old child has been brought to the clinic for a well-child checkup. What is the best way for the nurse to begin the assessment?

• A. Ask the parent to place the child on the examining table.
• B. Have the parent remove all of the child's clothing before the examination.
• C. Allow the child to keep a security object such as a toy or blanket during the examination.
• D. Initially focus the interactions on the child, essentially ignoring the parent until the child's trust has been obtained.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best place to examine the toddler is on the parent's lap. Toddlers understand symbols; therefore, a security object is helpful. Initially, the focus is more on the parent, which allows the child to adjust gradually and to become familiar with you. A 2-year-old child does not like to take off his or her clothes. Therefore, ask the parent to undress one body part at a time.

3. When a nurse's hand comes in contact with a client's blood after providing wound care, what is the next action the nurse should take?

• A. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to disinfect the hands
• B. Wash hands with soap and water using appropriate technique
• C. Notify the appropriate personnel about the exposure to client's blood
• D. Sample some of the client's blood to determine the presence of diseases

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a nurse's hand comes in contact with a client's blood, it is important to follow appropriate infection control measures. Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not sufficient in this scenario as the blood is a visible contaminant. The best practice is to wash hands with soap and water using appropriate technique to ensure thorough cleansing and removal of any potential pathogens. Notifying the appropriate personnel about the exposure is important for documentation and further evaluation, but immediate hand hygiene is crucial. Sampling the client's blood for disease determination is not within the nurse's scope of practice and is unnecessary in this situation.

4. The nurse is assessing an 80-year-old male patient. Which assessment finding would be considered normal?

• A. Decrease in body weight from his younger years
• B. Decrease in deposits of fat in the cheeks and forearms
• C. Presence of kyphosis and flexion in bilateral knees and hips
• D. Change in overall body proportion, including a longer trunk and shorter extremities

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In an 80-year-old male patient, the presence of kyphosis (rounded upper back) and flexion in bilateral knees and hips are considered normal age-related changes. These postural changes are commonly seen in older adults due to structural changes in the spine and joints. Option A is incorrect as aging individuals typically experience a decrease in body weight, not an increase. Option B is also incorrect as there is usually a decrease in subcutaneous fat from the face and periphery, rather than an increase in fat deposits in specific areas. Option D is incorrect because the change in overall body proportion with aging usually involves a shorter trunk and relatively longer extremities, not the other way around. This is because long bones do not shorten with age, leading to this characteristic change in body proportions.

5. The nurse supervises unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who are providing care for a patient with right lower lobe pneumonia. The nurse should intervene if which action by UAP is observed?

• A. UAP splint the patient's chest during coughing.
• B. UAP assist the patient to ambulate to the bathroom.
• C. UAP help the patient to a bedside chair for meals.
• D. UAP lower the head of the patient's bed to 15 degrees.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to intervene in is when the UAP lowers the head of the patient's bed to 15 degrees. This position can decrease ventilation in a patient with pneumonia, potentially worsening their condition. Choices B and C involve assisting the patient with activities of daily living and promoting mobility, which are appropriate for the patient's care. Choice A, splinting the patient's chest during coughing, can help the patient manage coughing effectively, which is also appropriate for a patient with pneumonia.

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