Nursing Elites

1. To prevent unnecessary hypoxia during suctioning of a tracheostomy, what must the nurse do?

• A. Apply suction for no more than 10 seconds
• B. Maintain a sterile technique
• C. Lubricate 3 to 4 inches of the catheter tip
• D. Withdraw the catheter in a circular motion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To prevent unnecessary hypoxia during suctioning of a tracheostomy, the nurse must apply suction for no more than 10 seconds. Prolonged suctioning can lead to hypoxia by removing too much oxygen from the patient. Maintaining a sterile technique (choice B) is important to prevent infection but does not directly relate to preventing hypoxia. Lubricating the catheter tip (choice C) helps with the insertion process but does not specifically address hypoxia prevention. Withdrawing the catheter in a circular motion (choice D) is not a standard practice during tracheostomy suctioning and does not contribute to preventing hypoxia.

2. Which of these findings would the nurse most closely associate with anemia in a 10-month-old infant?

• A. Hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL
• B. Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips
• C. Hypoactivity
• D. A heart rate between 140 to 160

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Pale mucosa of the eyelids and lips is a classic sign of anemia in infants, indicating a lack of sufficient red blood cells. This finding is due to decreased hemoglobin levels, which causes reduced oxygen delivery to tissues. Choices A, C, and D are less specific to anemia in infants. While a hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL may be within the normal range for a 10-month-old infant, the presence of pale mucosa is a more indicative sign of anemia.

3. When reassigned to the emergency department, a nurse should understand that gastric lavage is a priority in which situation?

• A. An infant who has been identified to have botulism
• B. A toddler who ate a number of ibuprofen tablets
• C. A preschooler who swallowed powdered plant food
• D. A school-aged child who took a handful of vitamins

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because gastric lavage is a priority for infants with botulism to remove toxins from the stomach. Botulism is a serious condition caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Gastric lavage helps in removing the toxin from the stomach. Choice B is incorrect because gastric lavage is not typically indicated for ibuprofen ingestion. Choice C is incorrect because gastric lavage is not the first-line treatment for ingesting powdered plant food. Choice D is incorrect because gastric lavage is not routinely performed for vitamin ingestion.

4. During a physical assessment on a client who just had an endotracheal tube inserted, which finding would call for immediate action by the nurse?

• A. Breath sounds are auscultated bilaterally
• B. Mist is visible in the T-Piece
• C. Pulse oximetry of 88%
• D. Client is unable to speak

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A pulse oximetry reading of 88% indicates hypoxemia, which requires immediate intervention to ensure adequate oxygenation. In this scenario, the priority is to address the low oxygen saturation to prevent further complications. Auscultation of bilateral breath sounds is a positive finding as it indicates air entry into both lungs. Mist in the T-piece is expected in clients with an endotracheal tube, and the inability to speak is common due to the tube's placement.

5. A nurse is reviewing a client's admission laboratory findings that indicate the client has hyponatremia. Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect to be below the expected reference range?

• A. Magnesium
• B. Calcium
• C. Chloride
• D. Potassium

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Chloride. Chloride levels are typically low in cases of hyponatremia, as it often accompanies sodium loss. Magnesium (choice A) is not directly related to hyponatremia. Calcium (choice B) and Potassium (choice D) levels are usually not significantly affected by hyponatremia, making them less likely to be below the expected reference range in this scenario.

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