Nursing Elites

1. What is the main objective of palliative care?

• A. To cure the disease
• B. To provide relief from symptoms and improve quality of life
• C. To extend hospital stays
• D. To focus solely on treatment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main objective of palliative care is to provide relief from symptoms and improve quality of life. Palliative care focuses on enhancing the quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses by providing relief from symptoms such as pain, stress, and other physical and emotional issues. Choice A is incorrect because palliative care does not aim to cure the disease but rather to manage symptoms. Choice C is incorrect as the goal of palliative care is not to extend hospital stays unnecessarily but to improve the patient's well-being. Choice D is incorrect as palliative care is not solely focused on treatment but takes a holistic approach to care that includes addressing physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.

2. What is the normal sodium level in the body?

• A. 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter.
• B. 3 to 5 milliequivalents per liter.
• C. 135 to 145 microequivalents per liter.
• D. 3 to 5 microequivalents per liter.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter. The normal range for sodium levels in the body is expressed in milliequivalents per liter, not microequivalents. Choice B and D provide a significantly lower range which is not within the normal values for sodium. Choice C incorrectly states 'microequivalents' instead of the correct unit 'milliequivalents'. Therefore, A is the correct answer.

3. Serge, who has diabetes mellitus, is taking oral agents and is scheduled for a diagnostic test that requires him to be NPO. What is the best plan of action for the nurse regarding Serge's oral medications?

• A. Administer the oral agents immediately after the test.
• B. Notify the diagnostic department and request orders.
• C. Notify the physician and request orders.
• D. Administer the oral agents with a sip of water before the test.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best plan of action for the nurse is to notify the physician and request orders regarding Serge's oral medications. By involving the physician, the nurse ensures that appropriate instructions are obtained, considering Serge's medical condition and the need for NPO status for the diagnostic test. Administering the medications without medical guidance (choice A) can be risky, as it may affect the test results. Notifying the diagnostic department (choice B) is not the most direct and appropriate action; the physician is the primary healthcare provider responsible for medication orders. Administering the medications with water before the test (choice D) is not advisable when the patient is supposed to be NPO, as it can interfere with the test requirements.

4. A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and reports severe pain. After the nurse administers the prescribed opioid and benzodiazepine, the client becomes somnolent and difficult to arouse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Withhold the benzodiazepine but continue the opioid
• B. Contact the provider about replacing the opioid with an NSAID
• C. Administer the benzodiazepine but withhold the opioid
• D. Continue the medication dosages that relieve the client's pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to contact the provider about replacing the opioid with an NSAID. In this scenario, the client is experiencing excessive sedation after the administration of both opioid and benzodiazepine. Switching to a non-opioid analgesic like an NSAID can help manage pain effectively without causing additional sedation. Option A is incorrect because continuing the opioid may exacerbate sedation. Option C is incorrect as administering the benzodiazepine may further increase sedation. Option D is incorrect because maintaining the current medication dosages that are causing excessive sedation is not in the client's best interest.

5. A nurse on a med-surg unit is caring for a group of clients with the assistance of an LPN and an AP. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to the LPN?

• A. Reinforce dietary teaching with a client who has heart disease.
• B. Obtaining a urine specimen from an older adult client
• C. Providing postmortem care for a client who has just died.
• D. Accompanying a client who just had a wound debridement to PT.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to reinforce dietary teaching with a client who has heart disease. This task falls within the LPN's scope of practice as they can provide education and support related to nutrition. Obtaining a urine specimen (Choice B) is typically performed by nursing assistants. Providing postmortem care (Choice C) is a sensitive task usually performed by registered nurses. Accompanying a client to physical therapy (Choice D) is often done by nursing assistants or other supportive staff.

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