Nursing Elites

1. After checking the client’s gag reflex following an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), which action should the nurse take?

• A. Taking the client’s vital signs
• B. Giving the client a drink of water
• C. Monitoring the client for a sore throat
• D. Being alert to complaints of heartburn

Correct answer: A

Rationale: After an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), the nurse's priority is to assess the client's airway by checking the gag reflex. Once this assessment is done, the next step is to take the client's vital signs to monitor for any signs of complications such as bleeding or changes in respiratory status. Giving the client water immediately after the procedure may not be appropriate, as the client may still have a compromised gag reflex and is at risk for aspiration. Monitoring for a sore throat is important but not the immediate priority post-procedure. Being alert to complaints of heartburn is relevant for assessing the client's symptoms but is not the priority immediately after checking the gag reflex.

2. A middle-aged female client with diabetes mellitus is being treated for the third episode of acute pyelonephritis in the past year. The client asks, 'What can I do to help prevent these infections?' How should the nurse respond?

• A. Test your urine daily for the presence of ketone bodies and proteins.
• B. Use tampons rather than sanitary napkins during your menstrual period.
• C. Drink more water and empty your bladder more frequently during the day.
• D. Keep your hemoglobin A1c under 9% by controlling your blood sugar levels.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Clients with long-standing diabetes mellitus are at risk for pyelonephritis due to various reasons. Elevated blood glucose levels in diabetes can lead to glucose spilling into the urine, altering the pH and creating a conducive environment for bacterial growth. Neuropathy associated with diabetes can reduce bladder tone and diminish the sensation of bladder fullness, resulting in less frequent voiding and increased risk of stasis and bacterial overgrowth. Increasing fluid intake, particularly water, and voiding regularly can help prevent stasis and microbial overgrowth. Testing urine for ketones and proteins or using tampons instead of sanitary napkins are not effective strategies for preventing pyelonephritis. Keeping the hemoglobin A1c levels below 9% is crucial for managing diabetes, but it alone does not directly prevent pyelonephritis.

3. The healthcare professional assesses a client with petechiae and ecchymosis scattered across the arms and legs. Which laboratory results should the healthcare professional review?

• A. Red blood cell count
• B. Platelet count
• C. Hemoglobin levels
• D. White blood cell count

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The platelet count is the most appropriate laboratory result to review in a client presenting with petechiae and ecchymosis. Petechiae and ecchymosis are indicative of potential bleeding issues, which can be caused by low platelet count or impaired platelet function. Platelets are essential for clotting, and a low platelet count can lead to bleeding disorders. Reviewing the platelet count will provide valuable information about the client's clotting ability. Choice A, red blood cell count, is not typically associated with petechiae and ecchymosis. Hemoglobin levels (Choice C) are more related to anemia than bleeding disorders like thrombocytopenia. White blood cell count (Choice D) is not directly linked to the presence of petechiae and ecchymosis, which are more specific to platelet-related issues.

4. Which of the following is a key symptom of hypothyroidism?

• A. Weight loss.
• B. Heat intolerance.
• C. Cold intolerance.
• D. Increased appetite.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Cold intolerance is a key symptom of hypothyroidism because a decreased metabolic rate leads to a reduced ability to regulate body temperature. Weight loss (Choice A) is more commonly associated with hyperthyroidism, where the metabolic rate is increased. Heat intolerance (Choice B) is also more indicative of hyperthyroidism, where excess thyroid hormone leads to an increased sensitivity to heat. Increased appetite (Choice D) is not typically seen in hypothyroidism; instead, individuals with hypothyroidism may experience weight gain due to the slowed metabolism.

5. A client who was involved in a motor vehicle collision is admitted with a fractured left femur that is immobilized using a fracture traction splint in preparation for an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). The nurse determines that the client's distal pulses are diminished in the left foot. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

• A. Verify pedal pulses using a Doppler pulse device
• B. Evaluate the application of the splint to the left leg
• C. Offer ice chips and clear oral liquids
• D. Monitor the left leg for pain, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, pressure

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Evaluating the application of the splint is the priority as it ensures it is not too tight, which could impair circulation and exacerbate the diminished pulses. Verifying pedal pulses with a Doppler pulse device may be indicated but does not directly address the immediate concern of proper splint application. Offering ice chips and clear oral liquids would not address the issue of diminished distal pulses. Monitoring the left leg for pain, pallor, paresthesia, paralysis, and pressure is important but would not directly address the cause of the diminished pulses in this scenario.

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