Nursing Elites

1. The school nurse is conducting health screenings on schoolchildren. During the screening, she identifies a child with the behavioral characteristics of attention deficit disorder. Which of the following behaviors is consistent with this disorder?

• A. slow speech development
• B. overreaction to stimuli from the surroundings
• C. inability to carry on a conversation
• D. concrete thinking

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'overreaction to stimuli from the surroundings.' Children with attention deficit disorder often exhibit hypersensitivity to stimuli, leading to overreactions. Slow speech development is not a hallmark of attention deficit disorder; it is more associated with other learning disabilities. While children with this disorder may have difficulty focusing, they can usually carry on a conversation. Concrete thinking is not a common characteristic of attention deficit disorder, as individuals with this disorder may struggle with abstract thinking and impulsivity.

2. The physician orders the antibiotics ampicillin (Omnipen) and gentamicin (Garamycin) for a newly admitted client with an infection. The nurse should:

• A. administer both medications simultaneously
• B. give the medications sequentially, and flush well between them
• C. ask the physician or pharmacy which medication to give first and how long to wait before giving the other drug
• D. start one medication now and begin the other medication in 2-4 hours

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to give the medications sequentially and flush well between them. Ampicillin has a pH of 8-10, while gentamicin has a pH of 3-5.5, making them incompatible when given together. Flushing well between drugs is necessary to prevent any potential interactions. Option A is incorrect because administering both medications simultaneously can lead to incompatibility issues. Option C is incorrect because the nurse should already be aware of the correct administration sequence and not need to consult the physician or pharmacy each time. Option D is incorrect because delaying the second medication by several hours can slow down the treatment of the client's infection, which is not ideal in this scenario.

3. A nurse is preparing to test cranial nerve I. Which item does the nurse obtain to test this nerve?

• A. Coffee
• B. A tuning fork
• C. A wisp of cotton
• D. An ophthalmoscope

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To assess the function of cranial nerve I (olfactory nerve), the nurse uses a wisp of cotton to test the sense of smell in a client who reports loss of smell. The nurse assesses the patency of the client's nostrils by occluding one nostril at a time and asking the client to sniff. Next, with the client's eyes closed, the nurse occludes one nostril and presents a non-noxious aromatic substance such as coffee, toothpaste, orange, vanilla, soap, or peppermint. Choice A, 'Coffee,' is incorrect because it is used to present non-noxious aromatic substances to assess cranial nerve I. Choice B, 'A tuning fork,' is used to assess the function of cranial nerve VIII (acoustic nerve). Choice D, 'An ophthalmoscope,' is used to assess the internal structures of the eye, not cranial nerve I.

4. Quality is defined as a combination of all of the following except:

• A. conforming to standards.
• B. performing at the minimally acceptable level.
• C. meeting or exceeding customer requirements.
• D. exceeding customer expectations.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'performing at the minimally acceptable level.' Quality is about meeting or exceeding customer requirements and expectations, as well as conforming to standards. The term 'performing at the minimally acceptable level' implies just meeting the minimum requirements, which falls short of the comprehensive definition of quality in terms of customer satisfaction and excellence. Therefore, this choice is the exception when defining quality. Choices A, C, and D align with the definition of quality as they all involve meeting or surpassing certain criteria for customer satisfaction and product excellence, which are essential components of quality management.

5. Before administering the hepatitis B vaccine to a newborn infant, what should the nurse do?

• A. Request parental consent to administer the vaccine.
• B. Check the infant for jaundice.
• C. Check the infant's temperature.
• D. Obtain parental consent to administer the vaccine.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Before administering the hepatitis B vaccine to a newborn infant, the nurse must obtain parental consent. Hepatitis B vaccine is typically given at birth, 1 month, and 6 months of age. Checking the infant for jaundice, checking the temperature, and requesting a hepatitis blood screen are unnecessary in this context. Parental consent is crucial for any medical intervention involving minors.

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