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 about TB treatment is INCORRECT?

• A. Combination of 3-4 anti-TB drugs is the treatment of choice
• B. Single drug therapy is appropriate
• C. Treatment renders patients non-infectious and cured
• D. Tuberculosis is a curable disease

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Single drug therapy is not appropriate for TB due to the risk of developing resistance. The most effective approach to TB treatment is a combination of 3-4 anti-TB drugs. This combination helps to prevent the development of drug resistance and improve treatment outcomes. Choice C is correct as TB treatment, when completed successfully, renders patients non-infectious and cured. Choice D is also correct as tuberculosis is indeed a curable disease with appropriate treatment. Therefore, the incorrect statement is B.

3. The nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Decreased anteroposterior diameter
• B. Hyperresonance on percussion
• C. Increased breath sounds
• D. Prolonged expiratory phase

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Prolonged expiratory phase. In COPD, there is airflow obstruction leading to difficulty in exhaling air. This results in a prolonged expiratory phase. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Decreased anteroposterior diameter is associated with conditions like barrel chest in emphysema, not COPD. Hyperresonance on percussion is typical in conditions like emphysema, not necessarily in COPD. Increased breath sounds are not a typical finding in COPD; instead, diminished breath sounds may be present due to air trapping.

4. The RN is making a home visit to a female client with end-stage heart disease. She has a living will and states she will never go back to the hospital. During the visit, the RN notes that the client is pale and SOB while speaking. The RN discovers 3+ edema in both ankles and bilateral pulmonary crackles. Which intervention should the RN implement first?

• A. Order a chest X-ray
• B. Obtain a peripheral O2 saturation reading
• C. Obtain an order for complete blood count
• D. Tell the patient to stay in bed

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Obtaining a peripheral O2 saturation reading is the priority intervention in this scenario. It helps assess the client's oxygenation status quickly, which is crucial in a client with signs of respiratory distress, such as shortness of breath and bilateral pulmonary crackles. Ordering a chest X-ray (Choice A) may be necessary later but does not address the immediate need for oxygen assessment. Obtaining an order for a complete blood count (Choice C) is not the priority in this situation as it does not directly address the client's respiratory distress. Instructing the patient to stay in bed (Choice D) does not address the underlying issue of potential hypoxia and respiratory compromise.

5. The healthcare professional enters the room as a 3-year-old is having a generalized seizure. Which intervention should the healthcare professional do first?

• A. Clear the area of any hazards
• B. Place the child on the side
• C. Restrain the child
• D. Give the prescribed anticonvulsant

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Placing the child on the side is the priority intervention during a generalized seizure as it helps maintain an open airway and prevents aspiration. Clearing the area of any hazards is important but should come after ensuring the child's safety. Restraining the child is not recommended during a seizure as it can lead to injury. Giving the prescribed anticonvulsant is important but should not be the first action during an ongoing seizure.

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