Nursing Elites

1. A 9-year-old boy with tetralogy of Fallot is being discharged following a cardiac catheterization. Which discharge instruction should the nurse provide the parents?

• A. Do not allow the child to return to school for at least one month
• B. Notify the healthcare provider if there is any drainage at the catheterization site
• C. Monitor the child's temperature and report any elevation
• D. Observe for any changes in the child's color or energy level

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to notify the healthcare provider if there is any drainage at the catheterization site. Drainage at the site can be a sign of infection, which needs prompt evaluation and treatment. Choices A, C, and D are not as crucial as identifying and reporting any drainage, which is more directly related to potential complications post-cardiac catheterization.

2. The nurse in a community health clinic is interviewing a female client who has three children. The client tells the nurse that she has a new man in her life, with whom she is having a sexual relationship, and that they both smoke cigarettes. Which information is most important for the nurse to provide this client?

• A. Oral contraceptives should be started to prevent an unwanted pregnancy
• B. Children are more prone to upper respiratory infections if exposed to smoke at home
• C. Cigarette smoking increases the risk for peptic ulcers and emphysema
• D. A diaphragm and condom provide effective contraception when used together

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important information for the nurse to provide the client in this situation is that using both a diaphragm and a condom together provides effective contraception and also protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). While oral contraceptives can help prevent unwanted pregnancies, using a barrier method like a diaphragm and a condom is crucial in this scenario where the client is engaging in a new sexual relationship. Choice B is important information but is not the top priority in this context. Choice C, although relevant, does not address the immediate concern of contraception and STD prevention. Therefore, the correct answer is D.

3. The nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube in place following a pneumothorax. The nurse notes that there is continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber of the chest tube drainage system. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Check for kinks in the tubing
• B. Notify the healthcare provider
• C. Replace the chest tube drainage system
• D. Reinforce the chest tube dressing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when observing continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber of the chest tube drainage system is to notify the healthcare provider. Continuous bubbling indicates a possible air leak, and the healthcare provider needs to be informed to assess the situation and take appropriate actions. Checking for kinks in the tubing (Choice A) may be done initially but is not the priority when continuous bubbling is present. Replacing the chest tube drainage system (Choice C) and reinforcing the chest tube dressing (Choice D) are not immediate actions needed in response to continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber.

4. The mother of a 6-year-old anemic boy is taught by the nurse to give iron supplements. Which statement indicates that the mother understands the proper administration of iron?

• A. The iron tablets will be absorbed between meals, on an empty stomach
• B. I should give the iron tablets with his milk and cereal each morning
• C. Iron preparations can be taken with antibiotics if he develops an infection
• D. The iron tablets may cause him to sunburn more easily so he should wear sunscreen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because iron supplements are best absorbed on an empty stomach, which maximizes their effectiveness. Giving iron tablets with milk or calcium-rich foods, as mentioned in choice B, should be avoided as they can decrease iron absorption. Choice C is incorrect because iron preparations should not be taken with antibiotics due to potential interactions. Choice D is also incorrect as iron tablets do not cause an increased risk of sunburn, so sunscreen is not necessary specifically due to iron supplementation.

5. Nurses working in labor and delivery are demanding a change in policy because they believe they are required to float more often than nurses on other units. However, floating to labor and delivery is not reciprocated because other nurses are not competent to provide highly specialized obstetrical skills. What action is best for the nurse-manager to implement?

• A. Require cross-training for obstetrics for other nurses
• B. Propose a method for self-staffing labor and delivery
• C. Remind nurses that floating is an administrative policy
• D. Encourage nurses to share their feelings with administration

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The best action for the nurse-manager to implement is to propose a method for self-staffing labor and delivery. This approach allows nurses to manage their schedules, ensuring a fair balance of workloads. Requiring cross-training for obstetrics for other nurses (Choice A) may not be feasible or necessary for all units. Reminding nurses that floating is an administrative policy (Choice C) does not address the underlying issue of workload balance. Encouraging nurses to share their feelings with administration (Choice D) may not lead to a concrete solution for the unequal floating concerns.

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