Nursing Elites

1. What is a surgical procedure to create an opening in the windpipe to assist with breathing?

• A. Tracheostomy
• B. Lobectomy
• C. Thoracotomy
• D. Pleurodesis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tracheostomy is the correct answer. It is a surgical procedure to create an opening in the windpipe (trachea) to assist with breathing. This procedure is commonly used for patients who require long-term ventilation support. Choice B, Lobectomy, involves the removal of a lobe of the lung and is not related to creating an opening in the windpipe. Choice C, Thoracotomy, is a surgical incision into the chest wall and is not specifically related to creating an opening in the windpipe. Choice D, Pleurodesis, is a procedure to treat recurrent pleural effusions by causing the pleural layers to stick together, and it is not related to creating an opening in the windpipe.

2. What is the condition where the heart's mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward into the left atrium?

• A. Mitral regurgitation
• B. Aortic stenosis
• C. Tricuspid regurgitation
• D. Pulmonary hypertension

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Mitral regurgitation is the condition where the heart's mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward into the left atrium. This can result in symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because aortic stenosis, tricuspid regurgitation, and pulmonary hypertension involve different heart valves or conditions, not the mitral valve specifically.

3. What is a condition where the right side of the heart fails due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, often caused by chronic lung disease?

• A. Cor pulmonale
• B. Heart failure
• C. Pulmonary embolism
• D. Myocarditis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Cor pulmonale is the correct answer. It is a condition where the right side of the heart fails due to increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, often caused by chronic lung disease such as COPD. Pulmonary embolism (choice C) is a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in your lungs. Myocarditis (choice D) is inflammation of the heart muscle. While heart failure (choice B) is a broad term that can involve the failure of either the right or left side of the heart.

4. Which of the following is a rare genetic disorder that affects the lungs, liver, and skin, causing the buildup of a specific protein that damages organs?

• A. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• B. Cystic fibrosis
• C. Wegener's granulomatosis
• D. Marfan syndrome

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This disorder leads to the accumulation of a specific protein that can harm the lungs, liver, and skin. Choice B, Cystic fibrosis, is incorrect because it primarily affects the lungs and digestive system due to a defective gene. Choice C, Wegener's granulomatosis, is an autoimmune disease that involves inflammation of blood vessels, not protein buildup. Choice D, Marfan syndrome, is a connective tissue disorder impacting the heart, blood vessels, bones, and eyes, but not involving protein accumulation that damages organs.

5. The nurse is caring for a heart client on digoxin and notes a potassium level of 2.5. What is the appropriate priority nursing intervention?

• A. Do nothing as this is a normal potassium level.
• B. The potassium level is low so the nurse asks for an order for potassium.
• C. The nurse asks to check the digoxin level as low potassium can increase digoxin toxicity.
• D. The nurse stops the digoxin.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. When caring for a client on digoxin with a low potassium level, the priority nursing intervention is to check the digoxin level. Low potassium can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Checking the digoxin level will help determine if any adjustments to the medication regimen are needed to prevent potential harm. Choice A is incorrect as a potassium level of 2.5 is low, not normal. Choice B is not the priority as simply giving potassium may not address the underlying issue of potential digoxin toxicity. Choice D is not the initial action to take without assessing the digoxin level first.

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