Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare professional is preparing to percuss the abdomen of a patient. What characteristic of the underlying tissue does percussion assess?

• A. Turgor
• B. Texture
• C. Density
• D. Consistency

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Percussion is a technique used to assess the density of underlying organs by producing sounds that help determine their location and size. Turgor, texture, and consistency are primarily assessed through palpation, not percussion. Turgor refers to skin elasticity, texture pertains to the feel of the tissue surface, and consistency relates to the firmness or resistance of the tissue.

2. The healthcare professional has collected the following information on a patient: palpated blood pressure"?180 mm Hg; auscultated blood pressure"?170/100 mm Hg; apical pulse"?60 beats per minute; radial pulse"?70 beats per minute. What is the patient's pulse pressure?

• A. 10
• B. 70
• C. 80
• D. 100

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pulse pressure is the numerical difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. In this case, the systolic blood pressure is 170 mm Hg, and the diastolic blood pressure is 100 mm Hg. Therefore, the pulse pressure is calculated as 170 - 100 = 70 mm Hg. Pulse pressure reflects the stroke volume, the amount of blood ejected from the heart with each beat. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately represent the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings provided.

3. You are taking care of 5 patients today. One of your patients wants water; another needs help walking to the bathroom; another just stated that they have chest pain; and another is crying because his daughter did not visit him today. Which patient care problem must you deal with first?

• A. The water
• B. Help to the bathroom
• C. The chest pain
• D. The crying person

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The chest pain must be addressed immediately as it could indicate a serious condition like a heart attack. Treating chest pain is a top priority in healthcare settings due to the potential life-threatening nature of the symptom. Providing immediate attention to chest pain ensures prompt assessment, diagnosis, and intervention, which are crucial for patient safety and well-being. Addressing the other needs, such as providing water, assisting with bathroom needs, or emotional support, can follow once the urgent issue of chest pain has been managed. While the other patient concerns are important, the critical nature of chest pain requires immediate action to rule out severe cardiac events and provide appropriate care.

4. What is the initial step to take when a patient passes out at the front desk?

• A. Call 911.
• B. Initiate CPR.
• C. Shake the patient and ask if they are okay.
• D. Check for a pulse.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct initial step when a patient passes out at the front desk is to shake the patient gently and ask if they are okay. This step aims to assess the patient's level of responsiveness. Checking for a pulse or initiating CPR should only be done if the patient does not respond to being shaken. Calling 911 can be the next step after assessing the patient's immediate condition and providing necessary assistance.

5. For a healthcare worker under normal conditions with unsoiled hands, effective hand hygiene between patients requires which of the following?

• A. At least a 15-second scrub with plain soap and water
• B. At least a 23-minute scrub with an antimicrobial soap
• C. Use of an alcohol-based antiseptic hand-rub
• D. Wearing a mask when scrubbing

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Effective hand hygiene between patients for a healthcare worker with unsoiled hands involves using an alcohol-based antiseptic hand rub. This method is sufficient for cleaning hands that are not visibly soiled. The use of an antimicrobial soap or a prolonged scrubbing time is unnecessary and not recommended in this scenario. Wearing a mask is not required for routine hand hygiene and does not contribute to effective hand cleaning.

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