Nursing Elites

1. When performing a physical examination, safety must be considered to protect the examiner and the patient against the spread of infection. Which of these statements describes the most appropriate action the nurse would take when performing a physical examination?

• A. Washing one's hands after removing gloves is necessary, even if the gloves are still intact
• B. Hands are washed before and after every physical patient encounter
• C. Hands are washed before the examination of each body system to prevent the spread of bacteria from one part of the body to another
• D. Gloves are worn throughout the entire examination to demonstrate concern regarding the spread of infectious diseases

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate action for the nurse to take when performing a physical examination is to wash their hands before and after every physical patient encounter. This practice helps prevent the spread of infection. Hands should also be washed after contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and excretions, and after contact with any equipment contaminated with body fluids. It is crucial to wash hands after removing gloves, even if the gloves appear intact. Choice A is incorrect because washing hands after removing gloves is necessary to ensure thorough hygiene. Choice C is incorrect because hands should be washed before and after every patient encounter, not just before examining each body system. Choice D is incorrect because gloves should be worn when there is potential contact with body fluids, but they do not need to be worn throughout the entire examination.

2. Which of these actions illustrates the correct technique for a nurse when assessing oral temperature with a glass thermometer?

• A. Wait 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids.
• B. Leave the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile.
• C. Shake the glass thermometer down to 35.5�C before taking the patient's temperature.
• D. Place the thermometer at the base of the tongue and ask the patient to close his or her lips.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct technique for assessing oral temperature with a glass thermometer involves leaving the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile and up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile. Waiting 30 minutes if the patient has ingested hot or iced liquids is incorrect; instead, the nurse should wait 15 minutes in such cases. Shaking the glass thermometer down to 35.5�C, not 37.5�C, is the correct procedure before taking the patient's temperature. Placing the thermometer at the base of the tongue, not the front, and asking the patient to close their lips is the proper way to position the thermometer. Therefore, the correct answer is to leave the thermometer in place for 3 to 4 minutes if the patient is afebrile and up to 8 minutes if the patient is febrile.

3. You are working the 4 pm to 12 midnight evening shift. You are taking care of a group of patients. The supervising RN identifies 5 patients who get a medication at 'HS'. When will you give this medication?

• A. After the dinner meal
• B. Whenever requested
• C. At the patient's bedtime
• D. Before the end of the shift

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to give the medication at the patient's bedtime. 'HS' is a medical abbreviation that stands for 'hora somni,' which translates to 'at bedtime' or 'at the hours of sleep.' This timing ensures that the medication is administered appropriately to align with the patient's sleep schedule and maximize its effectiveness. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because giving the medication after dinner, whenever requested, or before the end of the shift may not coincide with the intended purpose of the medication, potentially affecting its efficacy and patient outcomes.

4. When assessing a pulse, what should be noted?

• A. Rate
• B. Rate and quality
• C. Rate, quality, and fullness
• D. Rate, quality, fullness, and regularity

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When assessing a pulse, it is important to note the rate (number of beats per minute), quality (regular or irregular), and fullness (thread and weak or full and bounding). These aspects provide crucial information about the patient's cardiovascular status. Regularity, as mentioned in option D, is not typically assessed during a pulse check and is not necessary for routine pulse assessment. Choice A is too limited as it overlooks important aspects beyond just the rate. Choice B improves by adding quality but still lacks the fullness aspect. Choice C is the most comprehensive and accurate as it includes all three essential aspects for a thorough pulse assessment.

5. An Asian-American woman is experiencing diarrhea, which is believed to be "cold"? or "yin."? What should the nurse recognize that the woman may likely try to treat it?

• A. Foods that are "hot"? or "yang"?
• B. Readings and Eastern medicine meditations
• C. High doses of medicines believed to be "cold"?
• D. No treatment because diarrhea is an expected part of life.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the Asian-American woman is believed to be experiencing diarrhea due to a "cold"? or "yin"? imbalance. According to the yin/yang theory, yang represents heat and yin represents cold. Therefore, to balance the cold nature of the diarrhea, the woman may try to treat it by consuming foods that are considered "hot"? or "yang"?. This aligns with the concept that cold foods are eaten with a hot illness, and hot foods are eaten with a cold illness. Choices B, C, and D do not align with the yin/yang theory and are not relevant to addressing the imbalance associated with the cold nature of the diarrhea.

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