Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is planning to assess a client's oxygen saturation to determine if additional oxygen is needed via nasal cannula. The client has bilateral below-the-knee amputations and weak, thread pedal pulses. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Document that an accurate oxygen saturation reading cannot be obtained
• B. Elevate the client's hands for five minutes prior to obtaining a reading from the finger
• C. Increase the oxygen based on the client's breathing patterns and lung sounds
• D. Place the oximeter clip on the earlobe to obtain the oxygen saturation reading

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Placing the oximeter clip on the earlobe is appropriate for clients with poor peripheral circulation, such as those with weak and thread pedal pulses due to bilateral below-the-knee amputations. This placement can provide a more accurate reading of oxygen saturation in such clients. Choice A is incorrect because alternative methods, such as earlobe placement, can be used to obtain accurate readings. Choice B is unnecessary and not related to obtaining an accurate oxygen saturation reading. Choice C is incorrect because increasing oxygen without assessing the oxygen saturation level first can be detrimental and is not based on evidence-based practice.

2. A female client presents to the emergency department in the early evening complaining of abdominal cramping, watery diarrhea, and vomiting. She tells the nurse that she was at a picnic and ate barbecue that afternoon. What question is most important for the triage nurse to ask this client?

• A. Have you recently traveled outside the United States?
• B. How high was your temperature when you returned home?
• C. Have you taken any medication to treat these symptoms?
• D. Is anyone else sick who was also at the picnic?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important question for the triage nurse to ask the client in this scenario is whether anyone else who attended the picnic is also sick. This is crucial to identify a potential outbreak or common source of infection. Asking about recent travel may be important for infectious diseases but is not as relevant as identifying a common source among individuals who shared the same food. Inquiring about the client's temperature is important but does not provide immediate insight into the cause of symptoms. Asking about medication taken is relevant but not as critical as determining if others are affected, which could indicate a foodborne illness.

3. A client with leukemia who is receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy has a platelet count of 25,000/mm3. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care?

• A. Monitor for signs of activity intolerance
• B. Require visitors to wear respiratory masks
• C. Assess urine and stool for occult blood
• D. Obtain client’s temperature q4 hours

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess urine and stool for occult blood. With a low platelet count, there is an increased risk of bleeding. Monitoring for occult blood is essential to detect any signs of internal bleeding. Choices A, B, and D are not the priority interventions in this situation. While monitoring for signs of activity intolerance, requiring visitors to wear respiratory masks, and obtaining the client's temperature are important aspects of care, they are not as critical as assessing for occult blood in a client with a low platelet count.

4. A woman with an anxiety disorder calls her obstetrician’s office and tells the nurse of increased anxiety since the normal vaginal delivery of her son three weeks ago. Since she is breastfeeding, she stopped taking her antianxiety medications, but thinks she may need to start taking them again because of her increased anxiety. What response is best for the nurse to provide this woman?

• A. Describe the safety of certain antianxiety medications during breastfeeding
• B. Encourage her to consider stress-relieving alternatives, such as deep breathing exercises
• C. Inform her that some antianxiety medications are safe to take while breastfeeding
• D. Explain that anxiety is a common response for the mother of a 3-week-old

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Some antianxiety medications are considered safe for use while breastfeeding, and the nurse should provide this information to alleviate the woman's concerns. Choice A has been corrected to focus on the safety of certain antianxiety medications during breastfeeding, which is more accurate. Choice B suggests stress-relieving alternatives, which may help but do not address the need for antianxiety medication if required. Choice D is incorrect because it minimizes the woman's concerns by dismissing her increased anxiety as a normal response.

5. A 2-year-old boy with short bowel syndrome has progressed to receiving enteral feedings only. Today his stools are occurring more frequently and have a more liquid consistency. His temperature is 102.2 °F, and he has vomited twice in the past four hours. Which assessment finding indicates that the child is becoming dehydrated?

• A. Occult blood in the stool
• B. Abdominal distention
• C. Elevated urine specific gravity
• D. Hyperactive bowel sounds

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevated urine specific gravity indicates concentrated urine, a sign of dehydration. In this scenario, the child is showing signs of dehydration with increased stool frequency, liquid consistency, fever, and vomiting. Occult blood in the stool may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding but is not a specific sign of dehydration. Abdominal distention can be seen in various conditions and is not a specific indicator of dehydration. Hyperactive bowel sounds can be present in various gastrointestinal conditions but are not directly related to dehydration.

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