Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is teaching a client about sleep and gives background information on normal sleep patterns. Which of the following substances promotes sleep?

• A. serotonin
• B. cortisol
• C. alcohol
• D. narcotics

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Serotonin is a substance found in the body that promotes sleep. It plays a role in the synthesis of a hypnogenic factor that directly induces sleep. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can disrupt sleep patterns. Alcohol can disrupt REM sleep and negatively impact sleep quality. Narcotics, like alcohol, can interfere with sleep architecture and lead to poor quality sleep. Therefore, the correct answer is serotonin as it is associated with promoting sleep, while the other substances listed can have negative effects on sleep patterns.

2. Which of the following medications might cause upper-gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding?

• A. Cardizem (diltiazem)
• B. Naprosyn (naproxen)
• C. Elavil (amitriptyline)
• D. Corgard (nadolol)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Naprosyn (naproxen) is known to cause upper-gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding due to its effects on the stomach lining. Naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can irritate the stomach and increase the risk of UGI bleeding. On the other hand, Cardizem (diltiazem), Elavil (amitriptyline), and Corgard (nadolol) are not typically associated with UGI bleeding. Cardizem is a calcium channel blocker used for hypertension and angina, Elavil is a tricyclic antidepressant, and Corgard is a beta-blocker used for hypertension.

3. Distribution of a drug to various tissues depends on the amount of cardiac output to each type of tissue. Which tissue would receive the highest amount of cardiac output and thus the highest amount of a drug?

• A. skin
• B. adipose tissue
• C. skeletal muscle
• D. myocardium

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'myocardium.' Highly perfused tissues include vital organs like the brain, heart, kidneys, adrenal glands, and liver. The myocardium, being heart muscle, receives the highest amount of cardiac output and thus the highest amount of a drug. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the skin and adipose tissue are poorly perfused, while skeletal muscle is less perfused compared to vital organs like the myocardium.

4. All of the following interventions should be performed when fetal heart monitoring indicates fetal distress except:

• A. Increase maternal fluids.
• B. Administer oxygen.
• C. Decrease maternal fluids.
• D. Turn the mother.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When fetal heart monitoring indicates fetal distress, interventions are aimed at improving oxygenation to the fetus. Increasing maternal fluids helps improve placental perfusion and oxygen delivery to the fetus. Administering oxygen also aids in increasing oxygen supply to the fetus. Turning the mother can help relieve pressure on the vena cava, optimizing blood flow to the placenta. Therefore, decreasing maternal fluids would not be performed as it can further compromise placental perfusion and fetal oxygenation, making it the exception. Decreasing maternal fluids could potentially exacerbate fetal distress by reducing oxygen delivery and nutrient supply to the fetus, which is contrary to the goal of managing fetal distress.

5. While caring for the following clients, a pediatric nurse tells the charge nurse she must leave due to a family emergency. Which client would the charge nurse reassign to an LPN?

• A. An eight-year-old in diabetic ketoacidosis
• B. A six-year-old in sickle cell crisis
• C. A two-month-old with dehydration
• D. A five-year-old in skeletal traction

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is a five-year-old in skeletal traction. This task is within the scope of practice for an LPN and would need minimal assistance from an RN. The children with diabetic ketoacidosis, sickle cell crisis, and dehydration require close observation, good assessment skills, IVF needs, and medications that would be better managed by an RN. Reassigning the child in skeletal traction to an LPN ensures appropriate care while allowing the RN to focus on the more critical cases.

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