Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is performing a physical assessment on a client with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Which client complaint calls for immediate nursing action?

• A. Diaphoresis and shakiness
• B. Reduced sensation in the lower leg
• C. Intense thirst and hunger
• D. Painful hematoma on thigh

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Diaphoresis and shakiness are classic signs of hypoglycemia in a client with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Hypoglycemia is a medical emergency that requires immediate intervention to prevent further complications. The nurse should address this complaint promptly by providing a fast-acting source of glucose to raise the client's blood sugar levels. Reduced sensation in the lower leg may indicate peripheral neuropathy, which is a common complication of diabetes but does not require immediate action unless there are signs of injury. Intense thirst and hunger are symptoms of hyperglycemia, which also requires intervention but not as urgently as hypoglycemia. A painful hematoma on the thigh may require assessment and management, but it is not as urgent as addressing hypoglycemia.

2. The nurse is evaluating the growth and development of a toddler with AIDS. The nurse would anticipate finding that the child has

• A. Achieved developmental milestones at an erratic rate
• B. Delay in musculoskeletal development
• C. Displayed difficulty with speech development
• D. Delay in achievement of most developmental milestones

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Children with AIDS often experience delays in achieving developmental milestones, affecting their overall growth and development. This delay can impact various areas of development, not limited to a specific aspect like musculoskeletal or speech development. While some children may achieve milestones at varying rates (choice A), the general trend is a delay in multiple milestones (choice D). Musculoskeletal development (choice B) and speech development (choice C) may be affected but are not as comprehensive as the delay in most developmental milestones.

3. What is the measure of the number of existing cases of a disease in a specific population at a given time?

• A. Incidence
• B. Prevalence
• C. Mortality rate
• D. Morbidity rate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Prevalence is the correct answer as it refers to the number of existing cases of a disease in a specific population at a given time. Incidence, on the other hand, refers to the number of new cases of a disease in a defined population over a specific period. Mortality rate is the measure of the number of deaths in a particular population due to a specific cause, while morbidity rate is the frequency of a disease in a specific population.

4. When assessing a newborn infant with low set ears, short palpebral fissures, flat nasal bridge, and an indistinct philtrum, a priority maternal assessment by the nurse should be to ask about

• A. Alcohol use during pregnancy
• B. Usual nutritional intake
• C. Family genetic disorders
• D. Maternal and paternal ages

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alcohol use during pregnancy. The physical features mentioned are indicative of fetal alcohol syndrome, a condition caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It is crucial for the nurse to inquire about alcohol use as it can help in diagnosing and managing the infant's condition. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are not directly associated with the physical findings described in the newborn, which specifically point towards a potential history of alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

5. Postoperative orders for a client undergoing a mitral valve replacement include monitoring pulmonary artery pressure together with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with a pulmonary artery catheter. This action by the nurse will assess

• A. Right ventricular pressure
• B. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure
• C. Acid-Base balance
• D. Coronary artery stability

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is used to assess left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. This measurement provides valuable information on the filling pressure of the left ventricle. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because monitoring pulmonary capillary wedge pressure does not directly assess right ventricular pressure, acid-base balance, or coronary artery stability.

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