Nursing Elites

1. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional to take when a medication error occurs?

• A. Document the error in the patient's medical record.
• B. Report the error to the healthcare provider immediately.
• C. Apologize to the patient and explain what happened.
• D. Continue administering the medication and monitor the patient closely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a medication error occurs, the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional is to report the error to the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial for ensuring prompt corrective action to mitigate any potential harm to the patient. Documenting the error is important but should come after reporting it to the relevant authorities. Apologizing to the patient is important for maintaining trust and communication but should not take precedence over reporting and addressing the error. Continuing to administer the medication without addressing the error is unsafe and goes against patient safety protocols.

2. A community health nurse is reviewing primary prevention strategies for West Nile virus with a group of clients in a rural health clinic. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Avoid exposure to deer ticks.
• B. Eliminate areas of standing water.
• C. Use a respiratory mask when cleaning bird coops.
• D. Plan outdoor activities after dusk.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Eliminate areas of standing water.' This is an essential primary prevention strategy for West Nile virus as it helps prevent the breeding of mosquitoes that spread the virus. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Avoiding exposure to deer ticks is more relevant for Lyme disease, using a respiratory mask when cleaning bird coops is not a primary prevention strategy for West Nile virus, and planning outdoor activities after dusk does not directly address the prevention of West Nile virus transmission.

3. What are the clinical signs of hyperglycemia in a patient with diabetes mellitus, and how should a nurse respond?

• A. Monitoring blood glucose levels and administering insulin
• B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
• C. Fatigue, blurred vision, and fruity breath
• D. Educating the patient on blood glucose monitoring

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct signs of hyperglycemia in a patient with diabetes mellitus are polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger). These symptoms indicate high blood sugar levels. Therefore, the correct response for a nurse would be to recognize these signs, monitor blood glucose levels, and administer insulin to manage the hyperglycemia. Choice A is incorrect because it only addresses the response aspect without mentioning the signs. Choices C and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the classic clinical signs of hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.

4. Which action by the nurse will help reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a postoperative patient?

• A. Encourage early ambulation and leg exercises.
• B. Apply compression stockings to the patient's legs.
• C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed.
• D. Elevate the patient's legs to promote circulation.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage early ambulation and leg exercises. By promoting early ambulation and leg exercises, blood flow is enhanced, reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postoperative patients. Choice B, applying compression stockings, helps prevent VTE but is not as effective as early ambulation and exercises. Choice C, administering anticoagulants, is important in VTE prevention but does not directly address improving circulation through physical activity. Choice D, elevating the patient's legs, may be beneficial for circulation in specific cases but is not as effective in preventing VTE as early ambulation and leg exercises.

5. Which question is essential during screening for alcohol use disorder?

• A. What is your current employment status?
• B. Have you experienced any blackouts or loss of consciousness?
• C. Have you been sleeping well over the past month?
• D. Do you have a family history of substance use?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The essential question during screening for alcohol use disorder is asking about blackouts or loss of consciousness, which can be indicative of excessive drinking and related to alcohol use disorder. Choices A, C, and D are not as directly related to screening for alcohol use disorder. Employment status (Choice A) is not a primary question in alcohol use disorder screening. Sleep quality (Choice C) and family history of substance use (Choice D) may be relevant but are not as crucial as inquiring about blackouts or loss of consciousness.

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