Nursing Elites

1. You are performing an admission assessment on an older adult patient newly admitted for end-stage liver disease. What principle should guide your assessment of the patient's skin turgor?

• A. Overhydration is common among healthy older adults.
• B. Dehydration causes the skin to appear spongy.
• C. Inelastic skin turgor is a normal part of aging.
• D. Skin turgor cannot be assessed in patients over 70.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Inelastic skin is a normal change of aging. However, this does not mean that skin turgor cannot be assessed in older patients. Dehydration, not overhydration, causes inelastic skin with tenting. Overhydration, not dehydration, causes the skin to appear edematous and spongy. Choice A is incorrect because overhydration is not common among healthy older adults. Choice B is incorrect because dehydration leads to inelastic skin, not sponginess. Choice D is incorrect as skin turgor assessment can be done in patients of any age, including those over 70.

2. The patient asks the nurse if he will die if air bubbles get into the IV tubing. What is the nurse's best response?

• A. The system is closed, and that scenario is highly unlikely.
• B. Only relatively large volumes of air administered rapidly are dangerous.
• C. There is a risk of complications associated with IV administration.
• D. You have been influenced by movies too much.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because air emboli are more commonly associated with central vein access. Usually, only relatively large volumes of air administered rapidly are dangerous. It is a significant concern when air enters a central venous access line. Choice A is incorrect as it downplays the risk and is not entirely accurate. Choice C is too general and does not specifically address the patient's concern. Choice D is dismissive and does not provide any relevant information regarding the risk of air bubbles in IV tubing.

3. When does dehydration begin to occur?

• A. the body reduces fluid output to zero.
• B. the body increases the release of ANH.
• C. the salivary secretions decrease.
• D. the salivary secretions increase.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Dehydration leads to a decrease in the body's fluid levels, causing the salivary glands to produce less saliva, resulting in a dry mouth. Therefore, when dehydration begins to occur, salivary secretions decrease. Choice A is incorrect because the body does not reduce fluid output to zero during dehydration; it tries to conserve fluids. Choice B is incorrect as dehydration does not directly increase the release of ANH (Atrial Natriuretic Hormone). Choice D is incorrect because salivary secretions do not increase but decrease during dehydration.

4. The nurse assessing skin turgor in an elderly patient should remember that:

• A. Overhydration causes the skin to tent.
• B. Dehydration causes the skin to appear edematous and spongy.
• C. Inelastic skin turgor is a normal part of aging.
• D. Normal skin turgor is moist and boggy.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Inelastic skin turgor is a normal part of aging. Dehydration, not overhydration, causes inelastic skin with tenting. Overhydration, not dehydration, causes the skin to appear edematous and spongy. Normal skin turgor is dry and firm. Choice A is incorrect because overhydration does not cause the skin to tent; it is dehydration that leads to tenting. Choice B is incorrect because dehydration, not overhydration, causes the skin to appear edematous and spongy. Choice D is incorrect because normal skin turgor is dry and firm, not moist and boggy.

5. A 73-year-old man who slipped on a small carpet in his home and fell on his hip is alert and oriented; PERRLA (pupils equally round and reactive to light and accommodation) is intact, and he has come by ambulance to the emergency department (ED). Heart rate elevated, he is anxious and thirsty. A Foley catheter is in place and 40mL of urine is present. The nurse's most likely explanation for the urine output is:

• A. The man urinated prior to his arrival in the ED and will probably not need to have the Foley catheter kept in place.
• B. The man has a brain injury, lacks ADH, and needs vasopressin.
• C. The man is in heart failure and is releasing atrial natriuretic peptide, which results in decreased urine output.
• D. He is having a sympathetic reaction, which has stimulated the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system that results in diminished urine output.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Renin is released by the juxtaglomerular cells of the kidneys in response to decreased renal perfusion. Angiotensin-converting enzyme converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensin II, with its vasoconstrictor properties, increases arterial perfusion pressure and stimulates thirst. As the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated, aldosterone is released in response to an increased release of renin, which decreases urine production. Based on the nursing assessment and mechanism of injury, this is the most likely cause of the lower urine output. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because there is no indication of urination prior to arrival, brain injury, lack of ADH, or heart failure present in the scenario provided. The symptoms and context described point more towards a physiological response related to the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system rather than the other conditions mentioned.

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