Nursing Elites

1. While auscultating heart sounds, the nurse hears a murmur. Which of these instruments would be used to assess this murmur?

• A. Electrocardiogram
• B. Bell of the stethoscope
• C. Diaphragm of the stethoscope
• D. Palpation with the nurse's palm of the hand

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct instrument to assess a murmur while auscultating heart sounds is the bell of the stethoscope. An electrocardiogram is used to measure the heart's electrical activity, not to assess murmurs. Palpation with the nurse's palm of the hand is a method to assess pulses or textures, not heart murmurs. The diaphragm of the stethoscope is typically used for high-pitched sounds like breath, bowel, and normal heart sounds, whereas the bell is more suitable for soft, low-pitched sounds such as murmurs or extra heart sounds.

2. The nurse suspects that a client is withholding health-related information out of fear of discovery and possible legal problems. The nurse formulates nursing diagnoses for the client carefully, being concerned about a diagnostic error resulting from which of the following?

• A. Incomplete data
• B. Generalizing from experience
• C. Identifying with the client
• D. Lack of clinical experience

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse is cautious about potential diagnostic errors due to incomplete data. When a client withholds information, it can lead to incomplete data, which may result in inaccurate nursing diagnoses and care planning. Therefore, the nurse's primary concern is collecting accurate data to make informed clinical decisions. Choices B, C, and D are not relevant to the situation described. Generalizing from experience, identifying with the client, and lack of clinical experience do not directly address the issue of incomplete data impacting the diagnostic process.

3. When auscultating the blood pressure of a 25-year-old patient, the nurse notices that the phase I Korotkoff sounds begin at 200 mm Hg. At 100 mm Hg, the Korotkoff sounds muffle. At 92 mm Hg, the Korotkoff sounds disappear. How should the nurse record this patient's blood pressure?

• A. 200/92
• B. 200/100
• C. 100/200/92
• D. 200/100/92

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When auscultating blood pressure, it is crucial to note the points at which Korotkoff sounds change. In adults, the last audible sound indicates the diastolic pressure. In this case, the Korotkoff sounds muffle at 100 mm Hg and disappear at 92 mm Hg. Therefore, the blood pressure should be recorded as systolic/diastolic, which is 200/92. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the correct points where the Korotkoff sounds change during blood pressure measurement.

4. While percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound. What should the nurse do?

• A. Consider this a normal finding
• B. Palpate this area for an underlying mass
• C. Reposition the hands and attempt to percuss in this area again
• D. Consider this finding as abnormal and refer the patient for additional treatment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When percussing over relatively dense organs, such as the liver or spleen, a dull sound is a normal finding due to the organ's density. This occurs because the sound waves produced by tapping on the organ travel through the dense tissue, resulting in a dull sound. Therefore, the correct action for the nurse in this scenario is to consider a dull sound over the liver as a normal finding. Palpating for an underlying mass (Choice B) is not indicated based on the percussion finding alone. Repositioning the hands and repeating the percussion (Choice C) may not change the dull sound over the liver. Referring the patient for additional treatment (Choice D) without understanding the normal percussion findings over the liver would be premature. Thus, the most appropriate action is to interpret the dull sound as a normal finding.

5. The Rule of Nines is used to:

• A. determine the amount of the body surface that has been burned
• B. assess the level of oxygen saturation in a body that has been burned.
• C. determine the level of tissue damage that has occurred in a burn.
• D. None of the above.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Rule of Nines is used to assess the amount of body surface that has been burned. Most body areas are divided out based on 9%, with the exception of the genitalia, which is only 1%.

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