Nursing Elites

1. When assessing a patient who has just arrived after an automobile accident, the emergency department nurse notes tachycardia and absent breath sounds over the right lung. For which intervention will the nurse prepare the patient?

• A. Emergency pericardiocentesis
• B. Stabilization of the chest wall with tape
• C. Administration of an inhaled bronchodilator
• D. Insertion of a chest tube with a chest drainage system

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The patient's history and absent breath sounds suggest a right-sided pneumothorax or hemothorax, which will require treatment with a chest tube and drainage. Emergency pericardiocentesis is not indicated as the patient's symptoms are not suggestive of cardiac tamponade. Stabilization of the chest wall with tape would not address the underlying issue of a potential pneumothorax or hemothorax. Administration of an inhaled bronchodilator is not appropriate in this scenario as the patient is not exhibiting signs of asthma or bronchoconstriction. Therefore, the correct intervention for this patient is the insertion of a chest tube with a chest drainage system to address the potential pneumothorax or hemothorax.

2. When caring for a patient hospitalized with active tuberculosis (TB), the nurse observes a student nurse who is assigned to take care of the patient. Which action, if performed by the student nurse, would require an intervention by the nurse?

• A. The patient is offered a tissue from the box at the bedside.
• B. A surgical face mask is applied before visiting the patient.
• C. A snack is brought to the patient from the unit refrigerator.
• D. Hand washing is performed before entering the patient's room.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When caring for a patient with active tuberculosis (TB), it is crucial to use a high-efficiency particulate-absorbing (HEPA) mask instead of a standard surgical mask when entering the patient's room, as a HEPA mask can filter out 100% of small airborne particles, reducing the risk of transmission. Therefore, if the student nurse applies only a surgical face mask before visiting the patient, this action would require intervention by the nurse to ensure the appropriate protective equipment is used. Hand washing before entering the patient's room is essential to prevent the spread of infection and is a correct action. Bringing a snack to the patient from the unit refrigerator is appropriate and helps address potential issues with anorexia and weight loss in patients with TB. While hand washing after handling a tissue used by the patient is necessary, no special precautions are required when offering the patient an unused tissue.

3. A client in the ICU has been intubated and placed on a ventilator. The physician orders synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV). Which statement best describes the work of this mode of ventilation?

• A. The ventilator delivers a set rate and tidal volume regardless of whether the client is attempting to breathe
• B. The ventilator coordinates delivered breaths with the client's respiratory efforts
• C. The ventilator provides a supplemental breath for every third breath of the client
• D. The ventilator provides breaths during the expiratory phase of the client's respirations

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Synchronous intermittent mandatory ventilation (SIMV) is a ventilation mode that coordinates delivered breaths with the client's own respiratory efforts. This mode allows the client to initiate breaths, with the ventilator providing preset breaths at a controlled rate and volume. Option A is incorrect because in SIMV, the ventilator syncs with the client's respiratory efforts. Option C is incorrect as it does not accurately depict the way SIMV works. Option D is also incorrect as SIMV does not specifically provide breaths during the expiratory phase of the client's respirations. Therefore, the correct answer is B, where the ventilator coordinates breath delivery with the client's breathing efforts.

4. A healthcare professional is reviewing a patient's chart and notices that the patient suffers from Lyme disease. Which of the following microorganisms is related to this condition?

• A. Borrelia burgdorferi
• B. Streptococcus pyogenes
• C. Bacillus anthracis
• D. Enterococcus faecalis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Streptococcus pyogenes is associated with strep throat and other infections, not Lyme disease. Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, a separate infectious disease. Enterococcus faecalis is more commonly linked to urinary tract infections and other healthcare-associated infections, not Lyme disease.

5. The nurse is caring for a 73-year-old man with cirrhosis. Which data obtained by the nurse during the assessment will be of most concern?

• A. The patient complains of right upper-quadrant pain upon palpation.
• B. The patient's hands flap back and forth when the arms are extended.
• C. The patient has ascites and a 2-kg weight gain from the previous day.
• D. The patient's skin has multiple spider-shaped blood vessels on the abdomen.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most concerning data obtained by the nurse is the patient's hands flapping back and forth when the arms are extended, indicating asterixis, which is associated with hepatic encephalopathy. This condition can progress to hepatic coma and requires immediate attention. The presence of spider angiomas and right upper-quadrant abdominal pain are common findings in cirrhosis and do not warrant urgent intervention. Although ascites and weight gain suggest the need for treatment, they are not as alarming as the neurologic manifestations seen in hepatic encephalopathy.

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