Nursing Elites

1. The staff on a medical-surgical unit is in conflict with the occupational therapy department. What type of communication will be used to discuss the problems?

• A. Downward communication
• B. Lateral communication
• C. Distorted communication
• D. Upward communication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Lateral communication. Lateral communication occurs between individuals or departments of the same hierarchical level, making it suitable for addressing conflicts between the staff on a medical-surgical unit and the occupational therapy department. Upward communication involves communication from staff to management or from lower management to middle or upper management. Downward communication is typically directive communication from an authority figure or manager to staff. Distorted communication is not a recognized type of communication and does not apply to this scenario.

2. Which of the following is an essential element of a quality improvement (QI) program?

• A. Blame and punishment
• B. Employee satisfaction
• C. Continual monitoring
• D. Strict adherence to policies

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The essential element of a quality improvement (QI) program is continual monitoring. Continual monitoring allows for the ongoing assessment of processes, identification of areas for improvement, and tracking of progress. Option A, 'Blame and punishment,' is incorrect as QI programs focus on systemic issues rather than individual blame. Option B, 'Employee satisfaction,' while important for organizational culture, is not an essential element of QI programs. Option D, 'Strict adherence to policies,' is valuable but not the core essential element, which is continual monitoring to drive improvement.

3. A nurse is admitting a client who has an abdominal wound with a large amount of purulent drainage. Which of the following types of transmission precautions should the nurse initiate?

• A. Droplet precautions
• B. Protective environment
• C. Airborne precautions
• D. Contact precautions

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Contact precautions. Contact precautions are used when there is a risk of transmission of infections through direct or indirect contact. In this scenario, the client has an abdominal wound with purulent drainage, indicating a potential for infection transmission through contact. Droplet precautions (choice A) are used for infections transmitted through respiratory droplets, such as influenza. Protective environment (choice B) is used for immunocompromised clients. Airborne precautions (choice C) are used for infections transmitted through small droplets that remain in the air, like tuberculosis. Therefore, in this case, the nurse should initiate contact precautions to prevent the spread of infection.

4. Which statement to a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is correct?

• A. Complications of type 2 diabetes are less serious than those of type 1 diabetes.
• B. Insulin is not used to control blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes.
• C. Changes in diet and exercise may control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes.
• D. Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed when the patient is admitted with a hyperglycemic coma.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is the correct statement to convey to a patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Lifestyle modifications, such as changes in diet and exercise, are essential components of managing type 2 diabetes. These changes can help control blood glucose levels and improve overall health. Options A, B, and D are incorrect statements. While complications of type 2 diabetes can be serious, they are different from those of type 1 diabetes. Some patients with type 2 diabetes may require insulin therapy, but it is not true that insulin is not used at all. Type 2 diabetes is not typically diagnosed during a hyperglycemic coma, as it is usually identified through routine screenings or symptoms unrelated to a coma.

5. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a female client who has hypovolemia. Which of the following laboratory results would be a priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

• A. BUN 21 mg/dL (10 to 20 mg/dL)
• B. Potassium 5.8 mEq/L (3.5 to 5 mEq/L)
• C. Creatinine 1.4 mg/dL (0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL)
• D. Sodium 132 mEq/L (136 to 145 mEq/L)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a client with hypovolemia, the nurse should prioritize reporting the elevated potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L to the provider. Hypovolemia can lead to electrolyte imbalances, and hyperkalemia (potassium level above 5.0 mEq/L) is a serious condition that can result in cardiac arrhythmias and requires immediate attention. The other laboratory results, BUN, creatinine, and sodium, are also important in assessing renal function and fluid balance, but the priority in this case is the elevated potassium level due to its potential life-threatening complications.

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