Nursing Elites

1. Which physiological acid-base balance complication would be most important for the nurse to assess in a patient with diarrhea?

• A. High serum pH
• B. Normal serum pH
• C. Metabolic alkalosis
• D. Metabolic acidosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is metabolic acidosis. Diarrhea can lead to the loss of bicarbonate, causing an imbalance in the acid-base status of the body, specifically resulting in metabolic acidosis. High serum pH (choice A) is incorrect as diarrhea-induced bicarbonate loss would lower pH, not increase it. Normal serum pH (choice B) is not the best answer as diarrhea can disrupt the acid-base balance. Metabolic alkalosis (choice C) is an alkaline state, which is less likely to be caused by diarrhea.

2. The nurse is describing clinical reasoning to a group of nursing students. Which is most descriptive of clinical reasoning?

• A. Purposeful and goal-directed
• B. A simple developmental process
• C. Based on deliberate and irrational thought
• D. Assists individuals in guessing what is most appropriate

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Clinical reasoning is purposeful and goal-directed, involving the use of critical thinking and decision-making skills to provide effective patient care.

3. Two 3-year-old clients are playing together in a hospital playroom. One is working on a puzzle, while the other is stacking blocks. Which type of play is this?

• A. Cooperative play
• B. Solitary play
• C. Parallel play
• D. Associative play

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, parallel play. Parallel play is observed when children play alongside each other but do not directly interact. In this scenario, each child is engaged in their own activity without engaging or influencing each other's play, which characterizes parallel play. Cooperative play (choice A) involves children playing together towards a common goal, which is not evident in the given situation. Solitary play (choice B) is when a child plays alone, unrelated to the presence of others. Associative play (choice D) involves more interaction and sharing of toys between children, which is not happening in the described play scenario.

4. The nurse is caring for a very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infant with a peripheral intravenous infusion. What nursing considerations regarding infiltration should be included in planning IV care?

• A. Infiltration is not solely related to the activity level of VLBW infants.
• B. Continuous infusion pumps do not always stop automatically when infiltration occurs.
• C. Hypertonic solutions can cause severe tissue damage if infiltration occurs.
• D. The infusion site should be checked regularly to prevent infiltration-related complications.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hypertonic solutions can damage tissues if they leak from the vein due to infiltration. It is crucial to monitor for this complication to prevent severe tissue damage. Infiltration is not solely related to the activity level of VLBW infants; it can occur due to various reasons such as vein condition, catheter placement, and fluid type. Continuous infusion pumps may not always detect infiltration, as they typically alarm for pressure changes but not all infiltration instances. Checking the infusion site regularly, preferably hourly, is essential to prevent complications like tissue damage from extravasations, fluid overload, and dehydration.

5. A toddler’s mother calls the nurse because she thinks her son has swallowed a button type of battery. He has no signs of respiratory distress. The nurse’s response should be based on which premise?

• A. An emergency laparotomy is very likely.
• B. The location needs to be confirmed by radiographic examination.
• C. Surgery will be necessary if the battery has not passed in the stool in 48 hours.
• D. Careful observation is essential because an ingested battery cannot be accurately detected.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Radiographic examination is essential to confirm the location of the battery, as it can cause significant damage, particularly if lodged in the esophagus. Immediate surgery may be required depending on its location and the potential for causing harm.

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