Nursing Elites

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. A client is receiving high-dose brachytherapy as a form of cancer treatment. What type of teaching must the nurse include when educating this client about safety?

• A. The client must remain in isolation under airborne precautions
• B. The client should stay in a private room at the hospital
• C. The client may need to limit visits from friends and family
• D. Both B and C

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A client undergoing high-dose brachytherapy has a radiation implant placed for cancer treatment. To ensure safety, the client should be in a private hospital room to prevent radiation exposure to others. Limiting visits from friends and family is necessary to prevent overexposure. Option A is incorrect as isolation under airborne precautions is not required for brachytherapy. Option B and C are the correct choices as they focus on minimizing radiation exposure to others, ensuring safety during treatment.

3. Mr. Thomas is a well-groomed 68-year-old male patient who had prostate surgery two days ago. He has an indwelling catheter and a urinary drainage bag. You have weighed him at 9 am each morning for 3 mornings in a row. Today, on the 4th day, his morning weight is 3 pounds more than it was the day before. Why could he have gained these 3 pounds in one day, on a 1000 calorie diet?

• A. It is obvious that his visitors have been sneaking him junk food from the local fast-food restaurant.
• B. It may be that his urinary drainage bag was not emptied today and it was emptied on previous days.
• C. It is obvious that the scale is broken and it should be replaced immediately to prevent these false weights.
• D. A 3-pound weight gain is not significant enough to question and should just be noted.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is that the weight gain may be due to the urinary drainage bag not being emptied today, while it was emptied on previous days. This scenario is common and can lead to an increase in weight that is not related to food intake. Choice A is incorrect because assuming visitors are sneaking junk food is speculative and not based on facts. Choice C is incorrect as there is no evidence to suggest the scale is broken. Choice D is incorrect because any unexplained weight gain should be investigated further, even if it seems insignificant at first.

4. What technique would the nurse use to accurately assess a rectal temperature in an adult?

• A. Use a lubricated blunt tip thermometer.
• B. Insert the thermometer 2 to 3 inches into the rectum.
• C. Leave the thermometer in place for up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile.
• D. Wait 2 to 3 minutes if the patient has recently smoked a cigarette.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To accurately assess a rectal temperature in an adult, a nurse should use a lubricated rectal thermometer with a short, blunt tip. The thermometer is inserted only 2 to 3 cm (1 inch) into the rectum and left in place for 2 minutes. Choice B is incorrect as inserting the thermometer 2 to 3 inches would be too deep and inaccurate. Choice C is incorrect as leaving the thermometer in place for up to 8 minutes is unnecessary and can cause discomfort. Choice D is incorrect as smoking a cigarette does not impact rectal temperatures.

5. A 60-year-old patient has been treated for pneumonia for the past 6 weeks. The patient is seen today in the clinic for an unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds over the last 6 weeks. Which is an appropriate rationale for this patient's weight loss?

• A. Chronic diseases such as hypertension do not usually cause weight loss.
• B. Weight loss is more likely due to underlying medical conditions than unhealthy eating habits.
• C. Unexplained weight loss often accompanies short-term illnesses.
• D. Weight loss is not typically caused by mental health dysfunctions.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Unexplained weight loss in a patient with pneumonia could indicate an underlying short-term illness or a chronic condition like endocrine disease, malignancy, depression, anorexia nervosa, or bulimia. Hypertension is not commonly associated with weight loss; it usually leads to weight gain due to fluid retention. Unhealthy eating habits are less likely to explain significant unexplained weight loss over a short period. Mental health dysfunctions can affect appetite but are not typically primary causes of significant unexplained weight loss.

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