Nursing Elites

1. A client has had a pulmonary artery catheter inserted. In performing hemodynamic monitoring with the catheter, the nurse will wedge the catheter to gain information about which of the following?

• A. Cardiac output.
• B. Right atrial blood flow.
• C. Left end-diastolic pressure.
• D. Cardiac index.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Left end-diastolic pressure. Wedging the pulmonary artery catheter allows the nurse to obtain the pulmonary artery wedge pressure, which reflects the left end-diastolic pressure. This pressure is essential in assessing left ventricular function and diagnosing conditions like heart failure. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because wedging the catheter does not directly provide information about cardiac output, right atrial blood flow, or cardiac index.

2. A client who is postmenopausal and has had two episodes of bacterial urethritis in the last 6 months asks, “I never have urinary tract infections. Why is this happening now?” How should the nurse respond?

• A. Your immune system becomes less effective as you age.
• B. Low estrogen levels can make the tissue more susceptible to infection.
• C. You should be more careful with your personal hygiene in this area.
• D. It is likely that you have an untreated sexually transmitted disease.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Low estrogen levels in postmenopausal women decrease moisture and secretions in the perineal area, causing tissue changes that predispose them to infection, including urethritis. This is a common reason for urethritis in postmenopausal women. While immune function does decrease with aging and sexually transmitted diseases can cause urethritis, the most likely reason in this case is the low estrogen levels. Personal hygiene practices are usually not a significant factor in the development of urethritis.

3. The client who has a history of Parkinson's disease for the past 5 years is being assessed by the nurse. What symptoms would this client most likely exhibit?

• A. Loss of short-term memory, facial tics, and grimaces, and constant writhing movements.
• B. Shuffling gait, masklike facial expression, and tremors of the head.
• C. Extreme muscular weakness, easy fatigability, and ptosis.
• D. Numbness of the extremities, loss of balance, and visual disturbances.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Parkinson's Disease, a common neurologic progressive disorder in older clients, is characterized by symptoms such as shuffling gait, masklike facial expression, and tremors of the head and hands. Choice A is incorrect as symptoms like loss of short-term memory, facial tics, and constant writhing movements are not typically associated with Parkinson's disease. Choice C is incorrect as extreme muscular weakness, easy fatigability, and ptosis are more indicative of other conditions like myasthenia gravis. Choice D is incorrect as numbness of the extremities, loss of balance, and visual disturbances are not classic symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

4. A nurse has a prescription to discontinue a client’s nasogastric tube. The nurse auscultates the client’s bowel sounds, positions the client properly, and flushes the tube with 15 mL of air to clear secretions. The nurse then instructs the client to take a deep breath and:

• A. Exhale during tube removal
• B. Bear down during tube removal
• C. Hold the breath during tube removal
• D. Breathe normally during tube removal

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to hold their breath during tube removal. This is because the airway may be temporarily obstructed during the removal process. By holding their breath, the client can help prevent aspiration or discomfort during the removal of the nasogastric tube. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because exhaling, bearing down, or breathing normally during tube removal may not provide the necessary protection against aspiration or discomfort that holding the breath does.

5. A client with chronic heart failure is being taught by a nurse about the importance of daily weights. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Weigh yourself at the same time every day.
• B. Use the same scale for weighing each time.
• C. Record your weight in a journal or log.
• D. Report any weight gain of more than 2 to 3 pounds in a day.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client with chronic heart failure is to report any weight gain of more than 2 to 3 pounds in a day. This weight gain may indicate fluid retention, which is a critical sign of worsening heart failure. Weighing at the same time every day and using the same scale for consistency are good practices, but the crucial action is to promptly report significant weight gain, as stated in option D. Recording the weight in a journal or log can be helpful for tracking trends, but immediate reporting of weight gain is essential for timely intervention in heart failure management. Therefore, option D is the most appropriate instruction for this client.

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