Nursing Elites

1. Which initial response would the nurse make to a 67-year-old man with type 2 diabetes who sadly confides in the nurse that he has been unable to have an erection for several years?

• A. ''At your age, sex isn’t that important.''
• B. ''That is a natural occurrence at your age.''
• C. ''You sound upset about not being able to have an erection.''
• D. ''Maybe it’s time for you to speak to your primary health care provider about this.''

Correct answer: ''You sound upset about not being able to have an erection.''

Rationale: The correct response is, 'You sound upset about not being able to have an erection.' When a client discloses personal information, the nurse should respond in a non-judgmental manner to encourage further communication and gather more details. This response demonstrates empathy and understanding, opening the door for the patient to express his feelings and concerns. Choice A, 'At your age, sex isn’t that important,' is dismissive and fails to address the client's emotions or concerns, potentially hindering open communication. Choice B, 'That is a natural occurrence at your age,' provides inaccurate information as the inability to have an erection is not considered a normal part of aging. Choice D, 'Maybe it’s time for you to speak to your primary health care provider about this,' while important eventually, should not be the initial response as the nurse should first explore the client's feelings and concerns before discussing potential referrals or interventions.

2. When taking a client's blood pressure, the nurse is unable to distinguish the point at which the first sound was heard. Which is the best action for the nurse to take?

• A. Deflate the cuff completely and immediately reattempt the reading.
• B. Re-inflate the cuff completely and leave it inflated for 90 to 110 seconds before taking the second reading.
• C. Deflate the cuff to zero and wait 30 to 60 seconds before reattempting the reading.
• D. Document the exact level visualized on the sphygmomanometer where the first fluctuation was seen.

Correct answer: Deflate the cuff to zero and wait 30 to 60 seconds before reattempting the reading.

Rationale: When the nurse is unable to distinguish the point at which the first sound was heard while taking a client's blood pressure, the best action is to deflate the cuff to zero and wait 30 to 60 seconds before reattempting the reading. Deflating the cuff for this duration allows blood flow to return to the extremity, ensuring an accurate reading on that extremity a second time. Option A of deflating the cuff completely and immediately reattempting the reading could lead to a falsely high reading. Option B, re-inflating the cuff completely and leaving it inflated for 90 to 110 seconds, reduces circulation, causes pain, and may alter the reading. Option D, documenting the exact level visualized on the sphygmomanometer where the first fluctuation was seen, is not a reliable method for assessing blood pressure and does not address the issue of obtaining an accurate reading.

3. What should be the initial action for a client admitted to an alcohol rehabilitation center who has a strong odor of alcohol on their breath on the fourth day after admission?

• A. Ask where the client obtained the alcohol.
• B. Locate the alcoholic substance.
• C. Convey empathy and support to the client.
• D. Document the client's drinking behavior.

Correct answer: Locate the alcoholic substance.

Rationale: The initial action should be to locate the alcoholic substance. The nurse needs to find and remove the substance to prevent the client or others from consuming more alcohol. Asking where the client obtained the alcohol is not the priority; the focus is on ensuring the client's safety. Conveying empathy and support is essential but should not be the first action in this scenario. Documenting the client's drinking behavior can be done after ensuring immediate safety measures are in place.

4. During a clinic visit, the mother of a 7-year-old reports to the nurse that her child is often awake until midnight playing and is then very difficult to awaken in the morning for school. Which assessment data should the nurse obtain in response to the mother's report?

• A. The occurrence of any episodes of sleep apnea
• B. The child's blood pressure, pulse, and respirations
• C. Length of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep that the child is experiencing
• D. Description of the family's home environment

Correct answer: Description of the family's home environment

Rationale: When a school-age child has difficulty going to sleep and waking up in the morning, it is important to assess the family's home environment. This includes factors such as bedtime rituals, noise levels, lighting, use of electronic devices, and overall sleep hygiene practices. Understanding the home environment can help identify issues that may be contributing to the child's sleep problems and guide the development of a plan to promote better sleep habits. Options A, B, and C are less relevant in this scenario. Sleep apnea typically causes daytime fatigue rather than resistance to bedtime. Assessing vital signs like blood pressure, pulse, and respirations is unlikely to provide insights into the child's sleep patterns. Monitoring REM sleep duration is not practical in a clinical setting and may not directly address the reported sleep issues in this case.

5. A client is having difficulty applying for a job due to panic and anxiety. A nurse is helping by pretending to be the job supervisor while the client practices answering questions during an imaginary interview. This technique is an example of:

• A. Reinforcement
• B. Presenting reality
• C. Role playing
• D. Summarizing

Correct answer: Role playing

Rationale: Role-playing is the correct answer. It involves practicing appropriate behaviors during imaginary scenarios that simulate real-life situations. In this scenario, the nurse is helping the client prepare for a job interview by acting as the job supervisor. Role-playing allows the client to practice and develop strategies to cope with anxiety and panic during the actual interview. Reinforcement (Choice A) involves providing consequences to strengthen a behavior. Presenting reality (Choice B) involves helping the client differentiate between real and unreal experiences. Summarizing (Choice D) involves condensing information. In this context, role-playing is the most appropriate technique to address the client's anxiety and panic related to job interviews.

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