Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is making assignments for the day. Which client should be assigned to the pregnant nurse?

• A. The client receiving linear accelerator radiation therapy for lung cancer
• B. The client with a radium implant for cervical cancer
• C. The client who has just been administered soluble brachytherapy for thyroid cancer
• D. The client who returned from placement of iridium seeds for prostate cancer

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The pregnant nurse should not be assigned to any client with radioactivity present. The client receiving linear accelerator therapy is the correct choice because the radiation stays in the department, and the client is not radioactive. Choices B, C, and D involve clients who are radioactive or pose a risk due to radioactivity. The client with a radium implant for cervical cancer (choice B) is radioactive, the client who has just been administered soluble brachytherapy for thyroid cancer (choice C) is radioactive for approximately 72 hours, and the client who returned from placement of iridium seeds for prostate cancer (choice D) is also radioactive, especially right after the procedure. These options are not suitable for assignment to the pregnant nurse.

2. The child with seizure disorder is being treated with Dilantin (phenytoin). Which of the following statements by the patient's mother indicates to the nurse that the patient is experiencing a side effect of Dilantin therapy?

• A. "She is very irritable lately."?
• B. "She sleeps quite a bit of the time."?
• C. "Her gums look too big for her teeth."?
• D. "She has gained about 10 pounds in the last 6 months."?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is '"Her gums look too big for her teeth."?' Hyperplasia of the gums is a known side effect associated with Dilantin therapy. Option A, '"She is very irritable lately,"?' is not a typical side effect of Dilantin. Option B, '"She sleeps quite a bit of the time,"?' is a common side effect of Dilantin but not specific to gum hyperplasia. Option D, '"She has gained about 10 pounds in the last 6 months,"?' is not typically associated with Dilantin therapy and is unrelated to the question.

3. The nurse notes the patient care assistant looking through the personal items of the client with cancer. Which action should be taken by the registered nurse?

• A. Notify the police department for investigation
• B. Report this behavior to the charge nurse
• C. Monitor the situation and document any suspicious activities
• D. Confront the patient care assistant immediately

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The appropriate action for the registered nurse in this scenario is to report the behavior to the charge nurse. This allows for proper investigation and intervention. Inappropriate actions include notifying the police directly without following the chain of command (Choice A), monitoring without immediate action (Choice C), and confronting the assistant without involving a superior (Choice D). By reporting to the charge nurse, the situation is escalated appropriately within the healthcare setting, ensuring the well-being and safety of the client.

4. The licensed practical nurse is observing a graduate nurse as she assesses the central venous pressure. Which observation would indicate that the graduate needs further teaching?

• A. The graduate places the client in a supine position to read the manometer.
• B. The graduate turns the stop-cock to the off position from the IV fluid to the client.
• C. The graduate instructs the client to perform the Valsalva maneuver during the CVP reading.
• D. The graduate notes the level at the top of the meniscus.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the client should breathe normally during a central venous pressure monitor reading. Placing the client in a supine position (Choice A) is correct if the client can tolerate it. Turning the stop-cock off (Choice B) and noting the level at the top of the meniscus (Choice D) are also correct actions during CVP monitoring. Instructing the client to perform the Valsalva maneuver is incorrect as it can artificially alter the CVP reading, indicating a need for further teaching.

5. How should Lasix be administered to prevent hypotension?

• A. By administering it over 1-2 minutes
• B. By hanging it IV piggyback
• C. With normal saline only
• D. By administering it through a venous access device

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Lasix should be administered over 1-2 minutes at approximately 1mL per minute to prevent hypotension. This slow administration helps to reduce the risk of adverse effects such as sudden drops in blood pressure. Choice B is incorrect because Lasix does not need to be hung IV piggyback, choice C is incorrect as Lasix administration does not require it to be mixed with normal saline only, and choice D is incorrect as Lasix does not have to be specifically administered through a venous access device (VAD) to prevent hypotension.

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