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: Hands are washed before and after every physical patient encounter

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 body plane divides the body into right and left sides?

• A. Frontal Plane
• B. Medial Plane
• C. Median Plane
• D. Transverse Plane

Correct answer: Median Plane

Rationale: The correct answer is the Median Plane, also known as the sagittal plane. It divides the body into right and left sides. The Frontal Plane, or coronal plane, divides the body into front and back sections. The Transverse Plane divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect as they do not specifically divide the body into right and left sides.

3. The mitral valve is synonymous with the term:

• A. Left ventricle
• B. Right atrium
• C. Bicuspid valve
• D. Tricuspid valve

Correct answer: Bicuspid valve

Rationale: The mitral valve, also known as the bicuspid valve, is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle, regulating blood flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle. The term 'bicuspid' refers to the valve's two cusps or leaflets. This distinguishes it from the tricuspid valve (Choice D), which has three cusps, making Choice D incorrect. The left ventricle (Choice A) and right atrium (Choice B) are not synonymous with the mitral valve. Therefore, the correct answer is C: Bicuspid valve.

4. Which of the following situations indicates the need to file an incident report?

• A. The neon sign directing parking for visitors has burned out
• B. A nurse must send a syringe pump to maintenance for annual service
• C. A client's blood pressure dropped to 90/55 after receiving a dose of morphine
• D. A client's spouse becomes angry and is asked to leave the premises

Correct answer: A client's spouse becomes angry and is asked to leave the premises

Rationale: An incident report is necessary for documenting unexpected events that occur in a healthcare setting. Situations that warrant filing an incident report include client accidents, medication errors, security problems, or disruptive behaviors that involve clients, families, or visitors. In this scenario, when a client's spouse displays disruptive behavior and is asked to leave the premises, it is essential to document this incident to ensure a record of the event and its resolution. Choices A, B, and C do not involve disruptive behavior or safety concerns that would require an incident report to be filed.

5. When counting an infant’s respirations, which technique is correct?

• A. Watching the chest rise and fall
• B. Observing the movement of the abdomen
• C. Placing a hand across the infant’s chest
• D. Using a stethoscope to listen to the breath sounds

Correct answer: Observing the movement of the abdomen

Rationale: The correct technique for counting an infant's respirations is to observe the movement of the abdomen. Infants typically have more diaphragmatic breathing than thoracic, so watching the abdomen provides a more accurate count. Placing a hand on the chest or listening with a stethoscope can alter the infant's breathing pattern and provide inaccurate results. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect methods for counting an infant's respirations. By observing the movement of the abdomen, healthcare providers can accurately assess an infant's respiratory rate without influencing their breathing pattern.

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