Nursing Elites

1. A 27-year-old patient admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has a serum glucose level of 732 mg/dL and serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. Which action prescribed by the healthcare provider should the nurse take first?

• A. Place the patient on a cardiac monitor
• B. Administer IV potassium supplements
• C. Obtain urine glucose and ketone levels
• D. Start an insulin infusion at 0.1 units/kg/hr

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the initial priority is to assess for any cardiac arrhythmias due to electrolyte imbalances. Since the patient has a low serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L, placing the patient on a cardiac monitor is crucial to monitor for any potential cardiac complications. Administering IV potassium supplements (Choice B) may be needed, but it is not the first action to take. Obtaining urine glucose and ketone levels (Choice C) and starting an insulin infusion (Choice D) are important interventions in managing DKA, but ensuring patient safety by monitoring for arrhythmias takes precedence.

2. Your values do not coincide with your colleagues. When you report for your shift on nights and staff are not responding to patient requests for pain medication, you, as the nurse responsible for collecting data about patient quality of care, should:

• A. Explain to the nurse manager that quality problems are because of staff apathy.
• B. Issue a memo to staff to assess patients and document their response to the pain medication.
• C. Explain to staff that improving quality is one of your annual goals and you expect them to follow through.
• D. Schedule meetings to engage with staff to monitor pain management.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: As the nurse responsible for collecting data about patient quality of care, it is important to address the issue of staff not responding to patient requests for pain medication. Scheduling meetings to engage with staff to monitor pain management is the most appropriate course of action in this scenario. By enlisting support from staff, reviewing patient satisfaction data, and quality reports about pain management, you can effectively address the issue and improve patient care. Choices A, B, and C are not as effective as they do not involve actively engaging with staff, reviewing data, and working collaboratively to address the problem.

3. The time period to give as notice for an appraisal is:

• A. One day.
• B. None.
• C. One week.
• D. Two days.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Two days.' It is preferable to give two days' notice for a performance appraisal. Giving only one day's notice (Choice A) might not provide sufficient time for the employee to prepare adequately for the appraisal. Choice B, 'None,' is incorrect because it is essential to give advance notice for an appraisal to allow the employee time to get ready. Choice C, 'One week,' is too long of a notice period for a standard performance appraisal and could lead to unnecessary delays.

4. A nurse is assessing a client's readiness to learn about insulin self-administration. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client is ready to learn?

• A. "I can concentrate best in the morning."
• B. "It is difficult to read the instructions because my glasses are at home."
• C. "I'm wondering why I need to learn this."
• D. "You will have to talk to my partner about this."

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, "You will have to talk to my partner about this." This response indicates that the client is willing to involve their partner in the learning process, showing readiness to take responsibility and engage in the education. Choices A, B, and C demonstrate potential barriers to learning: A indicates a preference for learning time but does not show active involvement, B focuses on external factors hindering learning, and C reflects a lack of understanding or motivation for the learning.

5. A healthcare professional is admitting a client who has rubella. Which of the following types of transmission-based precautions should the nurse initiate?

• A. Airborne
• B. Protective environment
• C. Contact
• D. Droplet

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'B: Protective environment.' Rubella requires placing the client in a protective environment due to its airborne precautions. Airborne precautions are typically used for diseases that are spread through tiny droplets that remain in the air for an extended period, like tuberculosis. Contact precautions are used for diseases that are spread by direct or indirect contact, such as MRSA. Droplet precautions are implemented for diseases transmitted through respiratory droplets, like influenza. Therefore, in the case of rubella, airborne precautions in a protective environment are necessary.

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