Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is reviewing a depressed client's history from an earlier admission. Documentation of anhedonia is noted. The nurse understands that this finding refers to:

• A. Reports of difficulty falling and staying asleep
• B. Expression of persistent suicidal thoughts
• C. Lack of enjoyment in usual pleasures
• D. Reduced senses of taste and smell

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Lack of enjoyment in usual pleasures. Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure in normally pleasurable activities. Choice A, reports of difficulty falling and staying asleep, is more indicative of insomnia rather than anhedonia. Choice B, expression of persistent suicidal thoughts, is related to suicidal ideation and not anhedonia. Choice D, reduced senses of taste and smell, is more associated with disturbances in the sense of taste and smell, not anhedonia.

2. A client is suspected of being poisoned and presents with symmetric, descending flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, double vision, and dry mouth. The nurse should consider these findings consistent with which potential bioterrorism agent?

• A. ricin
• B. botulism toxin
• C. sulfur mustard
• D. yersinia pestis

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: botulism toxin. Botulism toxin is associated with symmetric, descending flaccid paralysis, blurred vision, double vision, and dry mouth, which are consistent with the client's presentation. Ricin (Choice A) typically presents with gastrointestinal symptoms. Sulfur mustard (Choice C) is a blistering agent causing skin, eye, and respiratory issues. Yersinia pestis (Choice D) is associated with the bubonic plague, presenting with fever, malaise, and buboes.

3. A nurse manager is using the technique of brainstorming to help solve a problem. One nurse criticizes another nurse’s contribution and begins to find objections to the suggestion. The nurse manager's best response is to

• A. Let’s move on to a new action that deals with the problem.
• B. I think you need to reserve judgment until after all suggestions are offered.
• C. Very well thought out. Your analytic skills and interest are incredible.
• D. Let’s move to the ‘what if…’ as related to these objections for an exploration of spin-off ideas.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Encouraging the group to explore 'what if' scenarios based on the objections helps to maintain a positive and creative brainstorming atmosphere, while also validating the concerns raised by the nurse. Choice A is dismissive and does not address the issue at hand. Choice B suggests postponing judgment, which may not resolve the tension caused by the criticism. Choice C is complimentary but does not address the critical feedback provided by the nurse, missing an opportunity to turn objections into opportunities for further exploration.

4. The nurse at a health fair has taken a client's blood pressure twice, 10 minutes apart, in the same arm while the client is seated. The nurse records the two blood pressures of 172/104 mm Hg and 164/98 mm Hg. What is the appropriate nursing action in response to these readings?

• A. Refer the client to a nutritionist after providing health teaching about a low-sodium diet.
• B. Place the client in a recumbent position and call the paramedics for transport to the hospital.
• C. Talk with the client to assess whether there is stress in the client's life and refer to a counseling service.
• D. Take the client's blood pressure in the other arm and then schedule a healthcare practitioner's appointment for as soon as possible.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The appropriate nursing action in response to significantly high blood pressure readings like 172/104 mm Hg and 164/98 mm Hg is to confirm the readings by taking the blood pressure in the other arm. This can help rule out any error or issue specific to that arm. The nurse should then schedule a healthcare practitioner's appointment for as soon as possible to further assess the client's condition and determine the appropriate intervention. Choice A is incorrect because solely referring the client to a nutritionist for a low-sodium diet without further assessment or confirmation of the blood pressure readings is premature. Choice B is incorrect as the client is already seated, and calling paramedics for immediate transport to the hospital is not warranted based solely on the blood pressure readings provided. Choice C is incorrect as stress may not be the sole reason for the high blood pressure readings, and further assessment is required before referring the client to counseling services.

5. The nurse uses the DRG (Diagnosis Related Group) manual to

• A. Classify nursing diagnoses from the client's health history
• B. Identify findings related to a medical diagnosis
• C. Determine reimbursement for a medical diagnosis
• D. Implement nursing care based on case management protocol

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The DRG manual is used to determine the reimbursement rate for medical diagnoses and treatments under the prospective payment system used by healthcare facilities. Choice A is incorrect because the DRG manual is not used to classify nursing diagnoses, but rather to group medical diagnoses for billing purposes. Choice B is incorrect as the DRG manual is not used to identify findings related to medical diagnoses, but rather to standardize payments for medical services. Choice D is incorrect as the DRG manual is not used to implement nursing care based on case management protocol, but rather to set reimbursement rates.

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