Nursing Elites

1. The single mother of a child with a head injury is sitting at the child's bedside crying when the PN enters the room. The mother states, 'Why did this happen to my child? I just can't cope with this.' How should the PN respond?

• A. Ask her to share how the injury occurred to her child.
• B. Recommend that she remain calm and positive for her child.
• C. Express that the present situation must be overwhelming.
• D. Determine if someone else can help her cope with this tragedy.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Expressing empathy and acknowledging the mother's feelings helps in providing emotional support during a difficult time. This response validates her emotions and offers a comforting presence. Choice A is not appropriate as it focuses on gathering information rather than addressing the mother's emotional distress. Choice B may come off as dismissive of the mother's feelings and oversimplifies the complexity of the situation. Choice D shifts the responsibility to someone else instead of offering immediate support and comfort.

2. Which condition is commonly screened for in newborns using the Guthrie test?

• A. Phenylketonuria (PKU)
• B. Cystic fibrosis
• C. Down syndrome
• D. Sickle cell anemia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Guthrie test is specifically designed to screen newborns for phenylketonuria (PKU), a metabolic disorder that can lead to intellectual disability if left untreated. Phenylketonuria is caused by the deficiency of an enzyme required to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine. Screening for PKU in newborns is crucial as early diagnosis and intervention can prevent the severe consequences associated with the condition. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as the Guthrie test is not used to screen for cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, or sickle cell anemia.

3. The nurse is performing a psychosocial assessment on an adolescent aged 14. Which emotional response is typical during early adolescence?

• A. Frequent anger
• B. Cooperativeness
• C. Moodiness
• D. Combativeness

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Moodiness is a typical emotional response during early adolescence. Hormonal changes and developmental challenges contribute to this behavior. While anger and combativeness can also be present during adolescence, they are not as consistently typical as moodiness. Cooperativeness, on the other hand, is a trait more commonly associated with later stages of development and maturity, rather than early adolescence.

4. A client has a prescription for a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) unit for pain management during the postoperative period following a lumbar laminectomy. Which information should the nurse reinforce about the action of this adjuvant pain modality?

• A. The discharge of electricity will distract the client's focus from the pain
• B. An infusion of medication in the spinal canal will block pain perception
• C. Pain perception in the cerebral cortex is dulled by the unit's discharge of an electrical stimulus
• D. A mild electrical stimulus on the skin surface closes the gates of nerve conduction for severe pain

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. TENS works by delivering a mild electrical stimulus to the skin, which can help close the 'gates' in the nervous system to block pain signals from reaching the brain, thus reducing pain perception. Choice A is incorrect because TENS does not distract from pain but rather helps manage it. Choice B is incorrect as it describes a different pain management technique involving medication in the spinal canal. Choice C is incorrect because TENS acts peripherally on nerve conduction rather than dulling pain perception in the cerebral cortex.

5. A client presents to the office with complaints of swelling in the legs, chills, and shortness of breath. During auscultation of the chest, a heart murmur is heard. The client's blood culture reveals a microorganism in the blood. When a microorganism is found in the blood, this condition is called

• A. Bacteremia
• B. Sepsis
• C. Septicemia
• D. Parasitic infection

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a microorganism is found in the blood, this condition is called bacteremia, which refers to the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream, as indicated by a positive blood culture. If not appropriately treated, bacteremia can progress to septicemia, also known as sepsis. Sepsis is a severe and life-threatening response to an infection, characterized by systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction. Parasitic infections involve pathogens other than bacteria and are not directly related to the scenario described.

Similar Questions