Nursing Elites

1. A client has been diagnosed with a form of terminal cancer and has started receiving hospice care. The nurse notes that both the client and his family avoid talking about the diagnosis. All attempts at discussion result in changing the subject. The nurse recognizes that this family is exhibiting:

• A. Closed awareness
• B. Mutual pretense
• C. Open awareness
• D. Powerless assessment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Mutual pretense.' Mutual pretense is a form of awareness as a response to death or dying in which those involved avoid discussing the situation. In this scenario, both the client and the family are aware of the terminal cancer diagnosis, but they choose not to talk about it openly. This behavior can stem from various reasons, such as trying to shield loved ones from grief, fear of the future, or discomfort with discussing emotions. 'Closed awareness' (Choice A) refers to a lack of awareness of the impending death, which is not the case here. 'Open awareness' (Choice C) involves open acknowledgment and discussion of the terminal illness, which is contrary to the behavior described. 'Powerless assessment' (Choice D) does not relate to the situation of avoiding discussing the diagnosis in the context of terminal cancer and hospice care.

2. While communicating with a client, the nurse determines that the client has realized the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and plans to stop drinking within 6 months. Which stage of the transtheoretical model of change would the nurse correlate the client's behavior with?

• A. Action
• B. Preparation
• C. Maintenance
• D. Contemplation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The transtheoretical model of change defines changing patterns in individuals across five stages based on their readiness to change. The stages are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. In the contemplation stage, the client acknowledges the benefits of change and considers making the change within the next 6 months. This aligns with the client's realization of the harmful effects of alcohol consumption and intent to stop drinking within 6 months. The action stage involves actively making changes, the preparation stage includes goal-setting with an intention to change within 60 days, and the maintenance stage focuses on sustaining changed behavior for at least 6 months and taking preventive measures to avoid relapse. Therefore, in this scenario, the client's behavior aligns with the contemplation stage of the transtheoretical model of change.

3. A client who has multiple sclerosis is admitted to the hospital with increasingly frequent and severe exacerbations. One day, the client's partner confides to the nurse, 'Life is getting very hard and depressing, and I am upset with myself for thinking about a nursing home.' After listening to the partner's concerns, which response would the nurse make?

• A. 'Joining a support group of people who are coping with this situation may be helpful.'
• B. 'You may be able to decrease your feelings of guilt by seeking counseling.'
• C. 'It would be helpful if you became involved in volunteer work at this time.'
• D. 'I recognize it's hard to deal with, but try to remember that this, too, shall pass.'

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Joining a support group of individuals facing similar circumstances can provide valuable support and the opportunity to share experiences, making it the most appropriate response. The response suggesting counseling to decrease feelings of guilt is premature because the partner did not directly express guilt and it may not be the most immediate need. Suggesting involvement in volunteer work at this time fails to address the partner's current emotional distress and may come across as dismissive. Offering false reassurance by stating 'this, too, shall pass' does not validate the partner's feelings and minimizes the seriousness of their concerns.

4. Which of the following is an appropriate tension-reduction intervention for a patient who may be escalating toward aggressive behavior?

• A. Asking to speak to someone
• B. Asking to be alone
• C. Listening to music
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: All of the above interventions are appropriate tension-reduction techniques for a patient in the ICU. When a patient is escalating toward aggressive behavior, it is crucial to have a range of strategies to help de-escalate the situation. Asking to speak to someone can provide emotional support and an outlet for communication. Asking to be alone can help the patient have space and time to calm down. Listening to music can be soothing and distracting. These interventions, along with additional ones like walking the hallway, watching television, writing in a journal, or requesting a PRN medication, can be helpful. It is essential to involve the patient in developing the care plan to identify triggers and effective tension-reduction techniques. Patients in escalation may not always recognize the need for intervention, so staff must be observant and offer personalized techniques to address the situation effectively.

5. Which method is used to verify the placement of a newly inserted central venous access device (CVAD)?

• A. Chest x-ray
• B. Flushing the line with heparin
• C. Withdrawing blood to ensure patency
• D. Chest fluoroscopy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct method to verify the placement of a newly inserted central venous access device (CVAD) is a chest x-ray. This is crucial to detect any potential complications such as pneumothorax, which can occur during subclavian vein catheter insertion. Symptoms of pneumothorax may include shortness of breath and anxiety. Flushing the line with heparin is not used for placement verification, but rather for maintaining patency after verification. Withdrawing blood to ensure patency is done after placement is confirmed, not for initial verification. Chest fluoroscopy may be used during the insertion process but is not typically employed for placement verification.

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