Nursing Elites

1. Which statement by the client with chronic obstructive lung disease indicates an understanding of the major reason for the use of occasional pursed-lip breathing?

• A. ''This action of my lips helps to keep my airway open.''
• B. ''I can expel more air when I pucker up my lips to breathe out.''
• C. ''My mouth doesn't get as dry when I breathe with pursed lips.''
• D. ''By prolonging breathing out with pursed lips, the smaller areas in my lungs don't collapse.''

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have difficulty exhaling fully due to the weak alveolar walls from the disease process. Pursed-lip breathing helps prevent alveolar collapse by maintaining positive pressure in the airways during exhalation. This is the major reason for using pursed-lip breathing in individuals with chronic obstructive lung disease. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not directly address the main purpose of pursed-lip breathing, which is to prevent alveolar collapse and improve exhalation in these patients.

2. A nurse is preparing to insert a small-bore nasogastric feeding tube for a client's enteral feedings. In which method does the nurse measure the correct length of the tube?

• A. From the tip of the nose to the xiphoid process
• B. From the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process
• C. From the earlobe to the xiphoid process
• D. From the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the umbilicus

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When preparing to insert a nasogastric tube, the nurse must measure the correct length to ensure that the end of the tube will be in the correct position in the stomach. The accurate method to measure the length is from the tip of the nose to the earlobe to the xiphoid process. This length ensures that the end of the tube reaches the stomach, avoiding placement in the small intestine or esophagus. Choice A is incorrect as it does not include the earlobe, which is essential for accurate measurement. Choice C is incorrect because measuring from the earlobe alone does not provide the correct length for positioning in the stomach. Choice D is incorrect as it includes the umbilicus, which is not the appropriate landmark for measuring the length of a nasogastric tube intended for stomach placement.

3. Penny Thornton has had a stroke, or CVA, and is having difficulty eating on her own. Soon, she will be getting some assistive devices for eating meals. Which healthcare worker will be providing Penny with these assistive devices?

• A. A physical therapist
• B. A speech therapist
• C. A social worker
• D. An occupational therapist

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An occupational therapist is the healthcare professional responsible for assessing the needs of individuals, like Penny, regarding assistive devices that aid them in their daily activities. In this case, assistive devices for eating, such as weighted plates and specialized utensils, are crucial for helping Penny regain independence in feeding herself. Physical therapists focus more on mobility and movement, speech therapists on communication and swallowing disorders, and social workers on providing emotional and social support. Therefore, the correct choice is the occupational therapist as they specialize in activities of daily living and promoting independence.

4. A newly admitted patient with major depression has lost 20 pounds over the past month and has suicidal ideation. The patient has taken an antidepressant medication for 1 week without remission of symptoms. Select the priority nursing diagnosis.

• A. Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements
• B. Chronic low self-esteem
• C. Risk for suicide
• D. Hopelessness

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority nursing diagnosis in this scenario is 'Risk for suicide.' When a patient presents with major depression, significant weight loss, suicidal ideation, and lack of symptom improvement despite medication, the immediate concern is to address the risk of suicide. 'Risk for suicide' takes precedence as it involves a direct threat to the patient's life. 'Imbalanced nutrition: Less than body requirements' may be a concern but does not take priority over the risk of suicide. 'Chronic low self-esteem' and 'Hopelessness' are relevant issues in depression but are not as urgent as addressing the immediate risk of suicidal behavior.

5. When performing an EKG, the patient starts to laugh out of feelings of anxiety. What would you expect the EKG to show? (Choose the BEST answer.)

• A. Increased pulse rate, normal EKG
• B. Decreased pulse rate, abnormal EKG
• C. Tachycardia, poor EKG graph
• D. Bradycardia, poor EKG graph

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a patient laughs due to anxiety during an EKG, it is likely to cause tachycardia, which is a rapid heart rate. This increased heart rate can lead to poor EKG graph quality as the electrical signals from large moving muscles can interfere with data collection from the chest leads. Therefore, in this scenario, the EKG is expected to show tachycardia with poor graph quality. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because a patient laughing out of anxiety is more likely to result in an increased pulse rate (tachycardia) rather than a decreased pulse rate (bradycardia) or a normal EKG.

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