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. The nurse is screening children at a local community health clinic for infectious diseases. Which child is at highest risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV)?

• A. A newborn.
• B. A 3-year-old.
• C. A 7-year-old.
• D. An 11-year-old.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: a newborn. Newborns are at the highest risk for HBV due to potential transmission from the mother. The hepatitis B virus can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because newborns have a higher risk due to this mode of transmission, making them more vulnerable compared to older children.

3. The nurse is working in a community health clinic that serves a diverse population. Which of the following actions best demonstrates cultural competence?

• A. Learning about the cultural practices of the clinic's client population
• B. Providing translation services for non-English speaking clients
• C. Treating all clients the same regardless of their background
• D. Encouraging clients to adopt mainstream health practices

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Learning about the cultural practices of the clinic's client population is the best way to demonstrate cultural competence. This action shows respect for the diverse backgrounds of the clients and helps in providing care that is sensitive to their cultural beliefs and practices. Providing translation services (Choice B) is important for effective communication but may not address the deeper aspects of cultural competence. Treating all clients the same (Choice C) may overlook the unique needs that arise from cultural differences. Encouraging clients to adopt mainstream health practices (Choice D) may not be appropriate or respectful of their cultural traditions and preferences.

4. During a large community disaster, a man states that the blast threw him out of a second-story window. Which action should the nurse implement first?

• A. Logroll the client to his side and assess for back injuries
• B. Perform a complete neurological assessment
• C. Open the client's airway immediately
• D. Place the nurse's hands around the client's neck to stabilize

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should first stabilize the client's neck to prevent potential spinal cord injuries. Logrolling the client or performing other assessments should only be done after ensuring spinal stabilization. Opening the airway immediately is important in cases of airway obstruction, but stabilizing the neck takes priority in this scenario. Performing a complete neurological assessment may delay immediate stabilization, which is crucial in suspected spinal injuries.

5. A community health RN believes that immunization rates in a lower socioeconomic section of the city are probably below the target set by the state health department. What action should the RN take FIRST to intervene with this health problem?

• A. Take a health history of the members of the community
• B. Initiate an immunization program for the community
• C. Review current epidemiological population data that might document a low immunization rate
• D. Refer all clients to the local health department

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct first action for the community health RN to take in this situation is to review current epidemiological population data that might document a low immunization rate. By doing so, the RN can gather evidence to support further intervention strategies. Option A is incorrect because taking a health history would not provide immediate data on immunization rates in the community. Option B is incorrect as initiating an immunization program without confirming the actual immunization rates may not address the specific needs of the community. Option D is incorrect as a blanket referral without assessing the situation may not be the most effective first step.

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