Nursing Elites

1. After a needle stick occurs while removing the cap from a sterile needle, which action should the nurse take?

• A. Complete an incident report.
• B. Select another sterile needle.
• C. Disinfect the needle with an alcohol swab.
• D. Notify the supervisor of the department immediately.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After a needle stick, the needle is considered contaminated and should be discarded. The nurse should select another sterile needle to use. Completing an incident report is not necessary in this situation because the needle was sterile when the nurse was stuck and not in contact with any other person's body fluids. Notifying the supervisor immediately is not required as the situation can be managed by selecting a new needle. Disinfecting the needle with an alcohol swab is not recommended as it does not meet the standards of safe practice and infection control.

2. Which defense mechanism would the nurse conclude a female client with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who washes her hands more than 20 times a day, is using to ease anxiety?

• A. Undoing
• B. Projection
• C. Introjection
• D. Displacement

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Undoing.' Undoing is a defense mechanism where the individual tries to negate a previous act to relieve guilt or anxiety. In this case, the client washing her hands excessively is trying to 'undo' perceived contamination or guilt associated with not washing. Projection (choice B) involves attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts or impulses to others, which is not demonstrated in this scenario. Introjection (choice C) is the process of internalizing beliefs or values of others, which is also not applicable in this context. Displacement (choice D) involves redirecting emotions from one target to another, which does not align with the client's behavior of handwashing as a response to anxiety in this case.

3. The nurse is using the Glasgow Coma Scale to perform a neurologic assessment. A comatose client winces and pulls away from a painful stimulus. Which action should the nurse take next?

• A. Document that the client responds to the painful stimulus.
• B. Observe the client's response to verbal stimulation.
• C. Place the client on seizure precautions for 24 hours.
• D. Report decorticate posturing to the health care provider.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take next is to document that the client responds to the painful stimulus. In this scenario, the client has shown a purposeful response to pain by wincing and pulling away, which should be accurately documented. Verbal stimulation assessment typically follows the assessment of responses to painful stimuli. Placing the client on seizure precautions is not warranted based solely on the observed response to a painful stimulus. Decorticate posturing, which involves abnormal flexion movements, is not demonstrated by the client in this case, making it unnecessary to report to the provider.

4. A client has been diagnosed with depression, and a nurse is assisting them. Which of the following is an example of a short-term outcome as part of the nursing process for this client?

• A. Client will verbalize that depression symptoms have lifted
• B. Client will identify life stressors that may be contributing to depression
• C. Client's insomnia will be resolved as evidenced by 8 hours of sleep each night
• D. Client will identify a mental health counselor in the community with whom they can meet for ongoing therapy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the nursing process for a client with depression, short-term outcomes are goals that need to be achieved before advancing towards long-term outcomes. Identifying life stressors that may be contributing to the depression is a crucial initial step. This process helps the client work through feelings of grief or sadness before moving on to long-term goals like therapy and depression management. Choice A is not a short-term outcome as the lifting of depression symptoms is usually a long-term goal. Choice C focuses on resolving insomnia, which is a symptom of depression, but not directly addressing the root cause. Choice D involves identifying a mental health counselor for ongoing therapy, which is more aligned with a long-term treatment plan, rather than a short-term outcome.

5. Which of the following is an example of neurofeedback used with a child diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD)?

• A. A child's brain waves are monitored through electrodes placed on the scalp
• B. Parents give their child a sticker when he behaves appropriately
• C. A child uses a sand tray to draw shapes and release stress while talking with a nurse
• D. Parents or a nurse hold a child close during play until he becomes angry enough to unleash his rage

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Neurofeedback is a form of treatment that may be used for children diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder (RAD). Neurofeedback involves attaching electrodes to the scalp in a method similar to an EEG. The child's brainwaves are then monitored while being exposed to positive images or games to produce positive brain patterns. Choice A is the correct answer as it describes the process of neurofeedback, which is a common therapeutic approach for managing RAD. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they do not directly involve monitoring brain waves through electrodes to provide feedback for brain pattern adjustments, which is the core concept of neurofeedback therapy.

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