Nursing Elites

1. You are taking care of 5 patients today. One of your patients wants water; another needs help walking to the bathroom; another just stated that they have chest pain; and another is crying because his daughter did not visit him today. Which patient care problem must you deal with first?

• A. The water
• B. Help to the bathroom
• C. The chest pain
• D. The crying person

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The chest pain must be addressed immediately as it could indicate a serious condition like a heart attack. Treating chest pain is a top priority in healthcare settings due to the potential life-threatening nature of the symptom. Providing immediate attention to chest pain ensures prompt assessment, diagnosis, and intervention, which are crucial for patient safety and well-being. Addressing the other needs, such as providing water, assisting with bathroom needs, or emotional support, can follow once the urgent issue of chest pain has been managed. While the other patient concerns are important, the critical nature of chest pain requires immediate action to rule out severe cardiac events and provide appropriate care.

2. During an examination of a patient's abdomen, the nurse notes that the abdomen is rounded and firm to the touch. During percussion, the nurse notes a drum-like quality of the sounds across the quadrants. How would the nurse interpret this type of sound?

• A. Constipation
• B. Air-filled areas
• C. Presence of a tumor
• D. Presence of dense organs

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A musical or drum-like sound (tympany) is heard when percussion occurs over an air-filled viscus, such as the stomach or intestines. This indicates the presence of air-filled areas. Constipation, choice A, does not produce specific percussion sounds and is related to bowel movements rather than the sound produced during percussion. The presence of a tumor, choice C, would not typically produce a drum-like sound but might result in dullness or decreased resonance. Dense organs, choice D, would produce a dull thud sound rather than a drum-like tympanic sound.

3. To which of the following do the CDC Standard precautions recommendations apply?

• A. Patients with diagnosed infections only
• B. Blood or body fluids with visible blood only
• C. All body fluids including sweat
• D. All patients receiving care in hospitals

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'All patients receiving care in hospitals.' Standard precautions apply to all patients in healthcare settings, regardless of their infection status. These recommendations include all body fluids except sweat, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes. Choice A is incorrect as standard precautions are not limited to patients with diagnosed infections. Choice B is incorrect as standard precautions extend beyond blood or body fluids with visible blood. Choice C is incorrect as sweat is an exception to the body fluids covered under standard precautions.

4. A patient is having difficulty understanding how to properly run her glucose meter. Which of the following teaching methods would best help the patient understand how to use her instrument correctly?

• A. Give the patient an instruction booklet and encourage her to call the office if she has questions.
• B. Tell the patient to ask a healthcare provider to demonstrate how to use the instrument.
• C. Have the patient watch a video demonstrating the use of the instrument.
• D. Demonstrate the proper use of the instrument and then have the patient perform the process while still in the office.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: By using a demonstration and performance method of patient education, the patient is offered a chance to perform a task and have learning assessed while still in the office. This ensures that any questions that the patient has can be answered immediately, and any performance issues observed by the medical assistant can also be corrected promptly. Choice A is not as effective as providing a demonstration in person, as it may not address the patient's specific learning needs or allow for immediate feedback. Choice B suggests asking a healthcare provider to demonstrate, which is similar to the correct answer but may not always be readily available in the office. Choice C, watching a video, lacks the interactive component and immediate feedback that a live demonstration provides, making it less effective in this scenario.

5. Which of the following is the correct sequence for removing personal protective equipment?

• A. Remove gown, gloves, shoe covers, mask
• B. Remove mask, gloves, gown, shoe covers
• C. Remove gloves, gown, mask, shoe covers
• D. Remove shoe covers, mask, gloves, gown

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct sequence for removing personal protective equipment is crucial to prevent contamination. When exiting a surgical or aseptic situation, the proper sequence is to first remove gloves, followed by the gown, mask, and finally shoe covers. This order ensures that potentially contaminated items are removed first, minimizing the risk of exposure. Choice A, 'Remove gown, gloves, shoe covers, mask,' is incorrect as gloves should be removed before the gown. Choice B, 'Remove mask, gloves, gown, shoe covers,' is incorrect as gloves should be removed first. Choice D, 'Remove shoe covers, mask, gloves, gown,' is incorrect as gloves should be the first item removed to prevent contamination.

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