Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary goal of infection control practices in healthcare settings?

• A. To reduce the length of hospital stays
• B. To ensure patient safety and prevent infections
• C. To control the spread of infections within the healthcare setting
• D. To comply with healthcare regulations

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'To control the spread of infections within the healthcare setting.' The primary goal of infection control practices is to prevent the transmission and spread of infections among patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. Choice A is incorrect because while infection control practices may indirectly contribute to shorter hospital stays by preventing additional complications, reducing the length of hospital stays is not their primary goal. Choice B is incorrect as ensuring patient safety and preventing infections are important outcomes of infection control practices but not the primary goal. Choice D is incorrect because compliance with healthcare regulations is a requirement that supports the implementation of infection control practices but is not the primary goal of these practices.

2. A resident on night call refuses to answer pages from the staff nurse on the night shift and complains that she calls too often with minor problems. The nurse feels offended and reacts with frequent, middle-of-the-night phone calls to 'get back' at him. The behavior displayed by the resident and the nurse is an example of what kind of conflict?

• A. Perceived conflict
• B. Disruptive conflict
• C. Competitive conflict
• D. Felt conflict

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Disruptive conflict.' In disruptive conflict, the parties involved are engaged in activities to reduce, defeat, or eliminate the opponent. In this scenario, the resident and the nurse are engaging in behaviors that disrupt their professional relationship by intentionally ignoring pages and making excessive retaliatory calls. Perceived conflict refers to a situation where one or more parties believe that a conflict exists, competitive conflict involves striving to achieve personal goals at the expense of others, and felt conflict refers to the emotional involvement in a conflict situation.

3. When a patient with type 2 diabetes is admitted for a cholecystectomy, which nursing action can the nurse delegate to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?

• A. Communicate the blood glucose level and insulin dose to the circulating nurse in surgery.
• B. Discuss the reason for the use of insulin therapy during the immediate postoperative period.
• C. Administer the prescribed lispro (Humalog) insulin before transporting the patient to surgery.
• D. Plan strategies to minimize the risk for hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia during the postoperative period.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because the administration of prescribed lispro (Humalog) insulin before transporting the patient to surgery is a task that can be safely delegated to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN). This action is within the scope of practice of an LPN/LVN and does not require independent nursing judgment. Choices A and B involve communicating and discussing important medical information, which are higher-level nursing actions typically performed by registered nurses. Choice D involves planning strategies to manage blood glucose levels postoperatively, which requires critical thinking and assessment skills usually performed by a registered nurse.

4. Behavioral leadership theory recognizes three styles of leadership. Which of the following best describes democratic leadership?

• A. The democratic leader communicates meaning and purpose.
• B. The democratic leader gives orders and makes decisions for the group.
• C. The democratic leader does little planning or decision making.
• D. The democratic leader makes plans and decisions with the team.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Democratic leadership involves the leader working collaboratively with the team to make plans and decisions. This style values input from team members, encourages participation in the decision-making process, and fosters a sense of ownership among the team. Choice A is incorrect because simply communicating meaning and purpose does not capture the essence of democratic leadership. Choice B is incorrect as giving orders and making decisions for the group is more characteristic of an autocratic leadership style. Choice C is incorrect as democratic leaders are actively involved in planning and decision-making processes, contrary to doing little of it.

5. A client is having difficulty breathing while receiving supplemental oxygen via a nasal cannula in a supine position. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take first?

• A. Suction the client's airway.
• B. Instruct the client to perform incentive spirometry every hour.
• C. Assist the client to an upright position.
• D. Humidify the client's supplemental oxygen.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a client is experiencing difficulty breathing, the priority intervention is to assist the client to an upright position. This position helps improve ventilation by maximizing lung expansion and promoting better oxygenation. Suctioning the airway may be necessary if there is an obstruction, but repositioning the client is the initial step. Instructing the client to perform incentive spirometry and humidifying oxygen are important interventions but not the first priority in this scenario.

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