Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary focus of postoperative nursing care for the client with colon trauma?

• A. Monitoring for elevated coagulation studies
• B. Observation for and prevention of fistulas
• C. Monitoring for signs of hyponatremia
• D. Observation for and prevention of infection

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Observation for and prevention of infection. Postoperative nursing care for a client with colon trauma primarily focuses on preventing infections. Clients with colon trauma are at high risk for infections due to the disruption of the intestinal barrier. Monitoring for signs of infection, maintaining proper wound care, administering antibiotics as prescribed, and implementing strict aseptic techniques are essential in preventing postoperative infections. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because elevated coagulation studies, fistulas, and hyponatremia are not the primary concerns in the immediate postoperative period for a client with colon trauma.

2. After completion of mandatory counseling, the impaired nurse has asked nursing administration to allow return to work. When the nurse administrator approaches the charge nurse with the impaired nurse’s request, what action is best for the charge nurse to take?

• A. Ask to meet with the impaired nurse’s therapist before allowing the nurse back on the unit
• B. Meet with staff to assess their feelings about the impaired nurse’s return to the unit
• C. Since treatment is completed, assign the nurse to routine RN responsibilities
• D. Allow the impaired nurse to return to work and monitor medication administration

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Allowing the impaired nurse to return to work with monitoring is the best course of action in this scenario. By monitoring the impaired nurse's medication administration, the charge nurse can ensure safe practice while supporting the nurse's reintegration into the work environment. Meeting with the therapist (Choice A) is not within the charge nurse's scope of responsibility and may violate the impaired nurse's privacy. Assessing staff feelings (Choice B) is important but should be done by leadership, not the charge nurse. Simply assigning routine duties (Choice C) may not address the need for monitoring and support required in this situation.

3. Which client requires careful nursing assessment for signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia?

• A. A young adult client with intractable vomiting from food poisoning
• B. A client who developed hyperparathyroidism in late adolescence
• C. A middle-aged male client in renal failure following an unsuccessful kidney transplant
• D. A female client who is overzealous with her intake of simple carbohydrates

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Vomiting can lead to significant loss of magnesium, causing hypomagnesemia. In this scenario, the young adult client with intractable vomiting from food poisoning is at higher risk of developing hypomagnesemia due to the loss of magnesium through vomiting. Choices B, C, and D are less likely to present with hypomagnesemia. Hyperparathyroidism (B) is associated with hypercalcemia, renal failure (C) can lead to hypermagnesemia, and overconsumption of simple carbohydrates (D) is not directly linked to magnesium imbalances.

4. A male client approaches the nurse with an angry expression on his face and raises his voice, saying, “My roommate is the most selfish, self-centered, angry person I have ever met. If he loses his temper one more time with me, I am going to punch him out.” The nurse recognizes that the client is using which defense mechanism?

• A. Denial
• B. Splitting
• C. Projection
• D. Rationalization

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The client is projecting his feelings of anger and frustration onto his roommate, attributing his own feelings to the other person. Projection is a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their thoughts, feelings, or motives onto another person. In this scenario, the client is displacing his anger onto his roommate, thereby using projection as a defense mechanism. Denial (choice A) is refusing to acknowledge an aspect of reality. Splitting (choice B) involves viewing people as all good or all bad. Rationalization (choice D) is creating logical explanations to justify unacceptable behavior.

5. The parents of a child who had surgical repair of a myelomeningocele are being taught how to change an occlusive dressing on the child’s back. Which statement by the parents indicates that they understand this procedure?

• A. When changing the dressing, the tape should be removed slowly to prevent trauma to the skin
• B. To prevent infection, the dressing should be kept dry to avoid excess moisture
• C. The skin incision should be kept moist to promote healing and prevent dryness
• D. The incision should be protected from fecal contamination by an intact dressing

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because protecting the incision from fecal contamination is essential to prevent infection and promote healing in a child with a myelomeningocele. This is crucial as fecal matter can introduce harmful bacteria to the wound. Choice A is incorrect as removing the tape slowly to prevent trauma to the skin is a general guideline but not specific to preventing infection. Choice B is incorrect because keeping the dressing dry can lead to complications as the wound needs a moist environment to heal properly. Choice C is incorrect as keeping the skin incision moist may promote infection and delay healing, making it an incorrect statement for postoperative care.

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