Nursing Elites

1. What is the next step for a 64-year-old male diagnosed with COPD and CHF who shows a 10 lbs increase in total body weight over the last few days?

• A. Contact the patient's physician immediately.
• B. Check the intake and output on the patient's flow sheet.
• C. Encourage the patient to ambulate to reduce lower extremity edema.
• D. Check the patient's vitals every 2 hours.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a patient with COPD and CHF experiencing a sudden increase in total body weight, the priority is to check the intake and output on the patient's flow sheet to evaluate fluid balance. This assessment helps determine if the weight gain is due to fluid retention, which can exacerbate CHF. Contacting the physician may be necessary based on the intake and output findings. While encouraging ambulation is beneficial for circulation, it may not address the root cause of fluid retention. Checking vitals every 2 hours is important for monitoring stability but may not pinpoint the reason behind the weight gain.

2. What skin color does a client with jaundice have?

• A. pale
• B. ruddy
• C. yellow
• D. pink

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: yellow. Jaundice is a condition characterized by yellowing of the skin due to increased levels of bilirubin in the blood. This excess bilirubin causes the skin and whites of the eyes to appear yellow. Choice A, pale, is not typically associated with jaundice. Choice B, ruddy, describes a reddish skin color and is not indicative of jaundice. Choice D, pink, is a normal skin color and not a symptom of jaundice.

3. The nurse is caring for a client and wants to assess the neurologic function. Which of the following will give the most information?

• A. Level of consciousness
• B. Doll's eye reflex
• C. Babinski reflex
• D. Reaction to painful stimuli

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Level of consciousness.' Assessing the client's level of consciousness provides crucial information about their neurologic function, including subtle changes in verbal ability, orientation, and responsiveness to commands. Doll's eye reflex is a specific eye movement test used in neurologic assessments but may not provide as much comprehensive information as the client's overall consciousness level. The Babinski reflex is a test used to assess specific spinal cord function rather than overall neurologic function. Reaction to painful stimuli provides information about sensory function and pain response but may not offer as much insight into the client's neurologic status as assessing their level of consciousness.

4. A nurse at an outpatient clinic is returning phone calls that have been made to the clinic. Which of the following calls should have the highest priority for medical intervention?

• A. A home health patient reports, "I am starting to have a breakdown of my heels."?
• B. A patient that received an upper extremity cast yesterday reports, "I can't feel my fingers in my right hand today."?
• C. A young female reports, 'I think I sprained my ankle about 2 weeks ago.'
• D. A middle-aged patient reports, 'My knee is still hurting from the TKR.'

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the patient who received an upper extremity cast yesterday and reports not being able to feel their fingers in the right hand. This situation indicates a potential neurovascular issue that requires immediate attention to prevent complications. The other options are of lesser priority: A - Breakdown of the heels, while concerning, is not an acute issue that necessitates immediate intervention. C - An ankle sprain that occurred two weeks ago is now subacute and unlikely to be an urgent medical concern. D - Pain in the knee following a total knee replacement (TKR) is common in the early postoperative period and is not unexpected.

5. When planning care for a client taking Heparin, which nursing diagnosis should the nurse address first?

• A. Ineffective tissue perfusion related to the presence of a thrombus obstructing blood flow
• B. Risk for injury related to active loss of blood from the vascular space
• C. Deficient knowledge related to the client's lack of understanding of the disease process
• D. Impaired skin integrity related to the development of bruises and/or hematoma

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Risk for injury related to active loss of blood from the vascular space.' When a client is taking Heparin, the primary concern is the risk of bleeding due to its anticoagulant properties. Monitoring for signs of active blood loss is crucial to prevent complications like hemorrhage. While ineffective tissue perfusion, deficient knowledge, and impaired skin integrity are important, they are secondary to the immediate risk of bleeding in clients taking anticoagulants like Heparin.

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