Nursing Elites

1. What is the nurse's responsibility when dealing with an impaired colleague?

• A. The nurse should report the colleague to a supervisor and follow the institution's policy for addressing impaired practice.
• B. The nurse should confront the colleague directly and offer support to seek help for the impairment.
• C. Nonmaleficence
• D. The nurse should ignore the colleague's behavior and focus on their own responsibilities.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a nurse encounters an impaired colleague, the appropriate action is to report the behavior to a supervisor and follow the institution's policy for addressing impaired practice. This ensures patient safety and upholds professional standards. Choice B is incorrect because confronting the colleague directly may not be appropriate or effective in addressing the issue, and the colleague may need more structured assistance. Choice C is a principle of ethical practice but does not directly address the specific situation of dealing with an impaired colleague. Choice D is incorrect because ignoring the colleague's behavior could potentially compromise patient safety and is not in line with professional responsibility.

2. During preoperative teaching for a female client undergoing subtotal thyroidectomy, which statement should the nurse include?

• A. The head of your bed must remain flat for 24 hours after surgery.
• B. You should avoid deep breathing and coughing after surgery.
• C. You won't be able to swallow for the first day or two.
• D. You must avoid hyperextending your neck after surgery.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Instructing the client to avoid hyperextending the neck after thyroid surgery is crucial to prevent stress on the surgical site and reduce the risk of complications such as strain on the incision or damage to the healing tissues. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because: A) Keeping the head of the bed flat for 24 hours is not necessary after a thyroidectomy; elevation of the head of the bed can actually help reduce swelling and improve comfort. B) Encouraging deep breathing and coughing after surgery is essential to prevent respiratory complications such as pneumonia, so this advice is incorrect. C) Difficulty swallowing after thyroid surgery is not a typical outcome, so this statement is inaccurate and should not be included in the preoperative teaching.

3. A client with hyperparathyroidism is being assessed. Which of the following symptoms is the nurse likely to find?

• A. Tetany
• B. Hypocalcemia
• C. Bone pain
• D. Hypotension

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In hyperparathyroidism, there is excessive production of parathyroid hormone, leading to increased calcium resorption from the bones. This process causes bone pain, making choice C the correct answer. Tetany (choice A) is associated with hypocalcemia, not hyperparathyroidism. Hypocalcemia (choice B) is the opposite condition of hyperparathyroidism, where blood calcium levels are elevated. Hypotension (choice D) is not a typical symptom of hyperparathyroidism.

4. Which of the following describes an effective method of communication?

• A. A unit manager meets with a new nurse to discuss what is going well and areas for improvement.
• B. A unit manager meets with a new nurse to explain departmental policies.
• C. A unit manager meets with staff after several safety events to introduce new policies aimed at preventing further safety events.
• D. A unit manager describes safety events that have occurred on the unit to another nurse manager and discusses ideas for policy improvement with the other manager.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer because it describes an effective method of communication where a unit manager meets with a new nurse to discuss what is going well and areas for improvement. This approach fosters open dialogue, provides constructive feedback, and promotes professional growth. Choice B is incorrect as it only involves the explanation of departmental policies without engaging in a two-way communication process. Choice C is incorrect as it focuses on policy introduction after safety events rather than individual feedback. Choice D is incorrect as it involves discussing safety events with another manager and policy improvement, but it does not directly address individual performance feedback, which is essential for effective communication and professional development.

5. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor in a client with Cushing's syndrome?

• A. Blood glucose levels
• B. Serum calcium levels
• C. Serum potassium levels
• D. Serum sodium levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blood glucose levels. In Cushing's syndrome, there is excess cortisol in the body which leads to increased blood glucose levels due to its effect on glucose metabolism. Elevated blood glucose levels are a common finding in individuals with Cushing's syndrome. Monitoring blood glucose levels is crucial as it helps in assessing and managing hyperglycemia in these patients. Choice B, serum calcium levels, is not typically a priority in monitoring for Cushing's syndrome. While abnormalities in calcium levels can occur in some endocrine disorders, hypercalcemia is not a hallmark of Cushing's syndrome. Choice C, serum potassium levels, and Choice D, serum sodium levels, are not directly associated with Cushing's syndrome. While electrolyte imbalances can occur in various conditions, they are not specifically linked to Cushing's syndrome as blood glucose levels are.

Similar Questions