Nursing Elites

1. What is the main purpose of quality improvement in healthcare?

• A. To increase healthcare costs
• B. To improve patient outcomes
• C. To decrease patient satisfaction
• D. To increase hospital stays

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main purpose of quality improvement in healthcare is to improve patient outcomes by enhancing the quality and safety of healthcare services. Choice A is incorrect because the goal is not to increase healthcare costs but to optimize resources and provide cost-effective care. Choice C is incorrect as the aim is to increase patient satisfaction through better outcomes. Choice D is incorrect as the objective is to reduce hospital stays by improving care efficiency and effectiveness.

2. A patient's serum potassium level is 2.2 mEq/L. Which nursing action is the highest priority for this patient?

• A. Start oxygen at 2 L/min
• B. Initiate cardiac monitoring
• C. Initiate seizure precautions
• D. Keep the patient on bed rest

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to initiate cardiac monitoring. Severe hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias, making cardiac monitoring the priority to detect and manage any cardiac complications. Starting oxygen, seizure precautions, or bed rest are not the immediate priority actions for severe hypokalemia.

3. A client with diabetes experiences Somogyi's effect. To prevent this complication, the nurse should instruct the client to:

• A. Take insulin at 2:00 PM each day
• B. Engage in physical activity daily
• C. Increase the dose of regular insulin
• D. Eat a protein and carbohydrate snack at bedtime

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Somogyi effect, also known as rebound hyperglycemia, occurs as a response to nighttime hypoglycemia. Eating a protein and carbohydrate snack at bedtime can help prevent this by stabilizing blood sugar levels throughout the night. Instructing the client to take insulin at 2:00 PM each day (Choice A) may not directly address the nighttime hypoglycemia concern. Engaging in physical activity daily (Choice B) is generally beneficial for diabetes management but may not specifically prevent Somogyi's effect. Increasing the dose of regular insulin (Choice C) without addressing the nighttime hypoglycemia issue can exacerbate the problem.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has cancer. The client’s adult child asks the nurse for information about the client’s treatment plan. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

• A. I will ask your mother's primary care provider to speak with you
• B. What would you like to know about your mother's treatment?
• C. I cannot provide this information to you without your mother's consent
• D. You will have to speak directly to your mother about her treatment

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The nurse should not provide treatment information without the client's consent.

5. To resolve a conflict between staff members regarding potential changes in policy, a nurse manager decides to implement the changes she prefers regardless of the feelings of those who oppose those changes. Which of the following conflict-resolution strategies is the nurse manager using?

• A. Competing
• B. Collaborating
• C. Compromising
• D. Cooperating

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse manager is utilizing the competing conflict-resolution strategy. Competing involves making decisions based on one's preferences without considering the opinions or feelings of others. In this scenario, the nurse manager is unilaterally implementing changes despite opposition, demonstrating a competitive approach. Collaborating involves working together to find a mutually beneficial solution, compromising involves finding a middle ground acceptable to both parties, and cooperating involves working together towards a shared goal. These options are not applicable in this situation as the nurse manager is imposing her preferred changes without regard for others' input.

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