Nursing Elites

1. When evaluating the temperature of older adults, what aspect should the healthcare provider remember about an older adult's body temperature?

• A. The body temperature of the older adult is lower than that of a younger adult.
• B. An older adult's body temperature is approximately the same as that of a young child.
• C. Body temperature varies based on the type of thermometer used.
• D. In older adults, body temperature can fluctuate widely due to less effective heat control mechanisms.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When evaluating the temperature of older adults, it is important to note that their body temperature is usually lower than that of younger adults, with a mean temperature of 36.2�C. Choice B is incorrect because an older adult's body temperature is not approximately the same as that of a young child. Choice C is incorrect because body temperature is a physiological parameter and does not vary based on the type of thermometer used. Choice D is incorrect because while older adults may have less effective heat control mechanisms, their body temperature is typically lower, not widely fluctuating.

2. A patient's body temperature has varied over the last 24 hours from 97.6 degrees F in the morning to 99 degrees F in the evening. The patient is worried that this change in temperature may indicate the beginning of a fever. Which of the following BEST explains this phenomenon?

• A. The patient definitely has a fever in the evening and should be seen by a doctor.
• B. The patient is experiencing changes related to a diurnal rhythm.
• C. The patient is more than likely taking their temperature incorrectly.
• D. The patient is experiencing changes related to fluctuating daily hormones.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The patient is experiencing changes related to a diurnal rhythm. Diurnal rhythm is the phenomenon of body temperature fluctuating depending on the time of day. Temperatures taken in the morning are typically lower than those taken throughout the rest of the day. Choice A is incorrect because a single elevated temperature reading in the evening does not definitively indicate a fever. Choice C is incorrect as there is no indication of incorrect temperature measurement. Choice D is incorrect as the temperature changes are not related to monthly hormones but rather to the body's natural daily rhythm.

3. A nurse is preparing to insert a small-bore nasogastric feeding tube for a client's enteral feedings. In which method does the nurse measure the correct length of the tube?

• A. From the tip of the nose to the xiphoid process
• B. From the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process
• C. From the earlobe to the xiphoid process
• D. From the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the umbilicus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When preparing to insert a nasogastric tube, the nurse must measure the correct length to ensure that the end of the tube will be in the correct position in the stomach. The accurate method to measure the length is from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process. This length ensures that the end of the tube reaches the stomach, avoiding placement in the small intestine or esophagus. Choice A is incorrect as it does not include the earlobe, which is essential for accurate measurement. Choice C is incorrect because measuring from the earlobe alone does not provide the correct length for positioning in the stomach. Choice D is incorrect as it includes the umbilicus, which is not the appropriate landmark for measuring the length of a nasogastric tube intended for stomach placement.

4. During auscultation of a patient's heart sounds, the nurse hears an unfamiliar sound. Which action would the nurse take?

• A. Ask the patient how he or she is feeling.
• B. Document the findings in the patient's record.
• C. Wait 10 minutes and auscultate the sound again.
• D. Ask another nurse to double-check the finding.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When encountering an unfamiliar sound during auscultation, it is crucial for the nurse to seek confirmation from another healthcare professional. Asking the patient about their feelings may not provide insight into the unfamiliar sound. Simply documenting the findings without verification may lead to errors in interpretation. Waiting and auscultating again after 10 minutes might delay necessary intervention. Consulting another nurse for a second opinion ensures accurate identification of the unfamiliar sound and appropriate follow-up actions.

5. Over a patient's lifespan, how does the pulse rate change?

• A. starts out fast and decreases as the patient ages.
• B. starts out slower and increases as the patient ages.
• C. varies from slow to fast throughout the lifespan.
• D. stays consistent from birth to death.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is that the pulse rate starts out fast and decreases as the patient ages. In infants, the normal pulse rate is around 140 beats per minute, which then falls to an average of 80 beats per minute in adults. As individuals age, their pulse rate tends to decrease due to changes in cardiovascular function. Choice B is incorrect as the pulse rate typically decreases with age, rather than increases. Choice C is incorrect as there is a general trend of decreasing pulse rate as individuals age, rather than a continuous variation. Choice D is incorrect as the pulse rate does change over a patient's lifespan, starting fast in infants and decreasing as they age.

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