Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following patients should the home care nurse assess first?

• A. A 65-year-old male with known COPD and difficulty breathing after climbing a flight of stairs.
• B. A 78-year-old with CHF who has gained 4 lbs according to her tele-monitoring.
• C. A 50-year-old with bilateral leg swelling and difficulty walking.
• D. A 60-year-old with lower back pain.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. A patient with known COPD and difficulty breathing after physical exertion like climbing stairs requires immediate assessment by the nurse. This could indicate a potential exacerbation of COPD, which needs prompt intervention to prevent respiratory distress. Choices B, C, and D describe important patient situations that also require attention, but the urgency is higher with a COPD patient experiencing difficulty breathing.

2. Which of the following statements is correct regarding community health nursing?

• A. Evaluation of the health status of individuals and families should be done in consultation with them.
• B. The public health nurse (PHN) who works with communication for 6 can solely determine the needs of the community.
• C. Provision of PHN care is not in any way affected by policies of the agency where the nurse works.
• D. Professional growth and development of the PHN is the responsibility of the Department of Health (DOH).

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct statement is that evaluation of the health status of individuals and families should be done in consultation with them. This approach ensures that the assessment is accurate and takes into account the perspectives and concerns of the individuals and families involved. Choice B is incorrect because determining the needs of the community should involve input from various stakeholders, not solely the PHN. Choice C is incorrect as the provision of PHN care can be influenced by the policies of the agency or organization where the nurse works. Choice D is also incorrect as while the DOH may play a role in setting standards, the professional growth and development of a PHN is typically a personal and professional responsibility.

3. When assessing a newborn infant with low set ears, short palpebral fissures, flat nasal bridge, and an indistinct philtrum, a priority maternal assessment by the nurse should be to ask about

• A. Alcohol use during pregnancy
• B. Usual nutritional intake
• C. Family genetic disorders
• D. Maternal and paternal ages

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alcohol use during pregnancy. The physical features mentioned are indicative of fetal alcohol syndrome, a condition caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It is crucial for the nurse to inquire about alcohol use as it can help in diagnosing and managing the infant's condition. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are not directly associated with the physical findings described in the newborn, which specifically point towards a potential history of alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

4. A school nurse is assessing a child who has frequent absences from school due to asthma. Which of the following is the priority nursing action?

• A. Teaching the child how to use an inhaler
• B. Assessing the child's asthma management plan
• C. Discussing the importance of school attendance with the parents
• D. Referring the child to a pulmonologist

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the child's asthma management plan. This is the priority action as it allows the nurse to evaluate the current treatment regimen, identify any gaps or areas for improvement, and ensure that the plan is being effectively implemented. Teaching the child how to use an inhaler (Choice A) may be important but should come after assessing the management plan. Discussing the importance of school attendance with the parents (Choice C) is secondary to ensuring proper asthma management. Referring the child to a pulmonologist (Choice D) may be necessary but is not the priority at this stage; first, the nurse needs to evaluate the current plan in place.

5. Postoperative orders for a client undergoing a mitral valve replacement include monitoring pulmonary artery pressure together with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure with a pulmonary artery catheter. This action by the nurse will assess

• A. Right ventricular pressure
• B. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure
• C. Acid-Base balance
• D. Coronary artery stability

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is used to assess left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. This measurement provides valuable information on the filling pressure of the left ventricle. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because monitoring pulmonary capillary wedge pressure does not directly assess right ventricular pressure, acid-base balance, or coronary artery stability.

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