the primary route of transmission of mrsa is via

NCLEX-RN

Safe and Effective Care Environment NCLEX RN Questions

1. What is the primary route of transmission of MRSA?

A. Shared needles
B. Hands of healthcare workers
C. Items in the healthcare environment
D. Blood transfusions

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Hands of healthcare workers.' MRSA is primarily transmitted via the unwashed hands of healthcare workers who can carry the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium from one patient to another. Shared needles, items in the healthcare environment, and blood transfusions are not the main routes of transmission for MRSA. Shared needles can transmit bloodborne pathogens, items in the healthcare environment can harbor bacteria but are not the primary mode for MRSA, and blood transfusions are not a common route for MRSA transmission.

2. When performing an EKG, the patient starts to laugh out of feelings of anxiety. What would you expect the EKG to show? (Choose the BEST answer.)

A. Increased pulse rate, normal EKG
B. Decreased pulse rate, abnormal EKG
C. Tachycardia, poor EKG graph
D. Bradycardia, poor EKG graph

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a patient laughs due to anxiety during an EKG, it is likely to cause tachycardia, which is a rapid heart rate. This increased heart rate can lead to poor EKG graph quality as the electrical signals from large moving muscles can interfere with data collection from the chest leads. Therefore, in this scenario, the EKG is expected to show tachycardia with poor graph quality. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a patient laughing out of anxiety is more likely to result in an increased pulse rate (tachycardia) rather than a decreased pulse rate (bradycardia) or a normal EKG.

3. A client has died approximately one hour ago. The nurse notes that the client's temperature has decreased in the last hour since their death. Which of the following processes explains this phenomenon?

A. Rigor mortis
B. Postmortem decomposition
C. Algor mortis
D. Livor mortis

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Algor mortis occurs after death when the body's circulation stops, and the client's temperature begins to fall. The client's temperature will drop by approximately 1.8 degrees per hour until it reaches room temperature. During algor mortis, the client's skin gradually loses its elasticity. Rigor mortis refers to the stiffening of the body after death due to chemical changes in the muscles. Postmortem decomposition is the breakdown of tissues after death. Livor mortis is the pooling of blood in the dependent parts of the body, causing a purple-red discoloration.

4. Intermittent fevers are:

A. fevers which come and go.
B. fevers which rise and fall but are always considered above the patient's average temperature.
C. fevers which fluctuate more than three degrees and never return to normal.
D. None of the above.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Intermittent fevers are characterized by periods of fever followed by periods of normal body temperature. They alternate between being febrile and afebrile. Continuous fevers show minimal fluctuations over a 24-hour period, while remittent fevers fluctuate significantly but do return to normal body temperature. Choice A is correct as it accurately describes intermittent fevers. Choices B and C are incorrect as they do not fully capture the defining characteristic of intermittent fevers, which involve cyclical episodes of fever and normal temperature. Choice D is incorrect as there is a specific definition for intermittent fevers.

5. When taking blood pressures on a variety of people at a health fair, what should the nurse keep in mind?

A. After menopause, blood pressure readings in women are usually higher than those taken in men.
B. The blood pressure of an African-American adult is usually higher than that of a non-Hispanic White adult of the same age.
C. Blood pressure measurements in people who are overweight are usually higher than those of people who are at a normal weight.
D. A teenager's blood pressure reading may be lower than that of an adult.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When assessing blood pressures, it is important to consider that the blood pressure of African-American adults is typically higher than that of non-Hispanic White adults of the same age. This is significant as Black individuals in the United States have a higher prevalence of hypertension compared to other groups. Blood pressure readings in women are generally higher than in men after menopause. Additionally, blood pressure measurements in overweight individuals are typically higher than those in individuals of normal weight. While teenagers may have lower blood pressure readings than adults, it is crucial to recognize the trend of a gradual rise in blood pressure throughout childhood and into adulthood. Therefore, the correct choice is B. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the typical blood pressure differences observed in various populations.