Nursing Elites

1. A client with cancer develops xerostomia. The nurse can help alleviate the discomfort associated with xerostomia by:

• A. Offering hard candy
• B. Administering analgesic medications
• C. Splinting swollen joints
• D. Providing saliva substitute

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Xerostomia is dry mouth, a common side effect in cancer patients. Providing a saliva substitute helps alleviate the discomfort associated with dry mouth by moistening the oral mucosa. Offering hard candy, as mentioned in choice A, can worsen xerostomia by increasing sugar content and potentially causing irritation. Administering analgesic medications, as in choice B, is not directly related to treating dry mouth. Splinting swollen joints, as in choice C, is irrelevant to xerostomia, which primarily affects the oral cavity.

2. How can the nurse best communicate to a client that he or she has been listening?

• A. restating the main feeling or thought the client has expressed
• B. making a judgment about the client's problem
• C. offering a leading question such as, 'And then what happened?'
• D. saying, 'I understand what you're saying.'

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The best way for the nurse to communicate to a client that he or she has been listening is by restating the main feeling or thought the client has expressed. Restating helps the client validate the nurse's understanding of the communication, demonstrating active listening skills. Making judgments about the client's problem, as suggested in Choice B, can hinder effective communication by introducing bias and potential misinterpretation. Offering a leading question like in Choice C is not ideal for confirming understanding; it rather seeks more information. Choice D, simply saying 'I understand what you're saying,' may not convey active listening as effectively as restating the client's main feelings or thoughts, as it lacks the validation component present in restating.

3. What is the first exercise that should be performed by a client who had a mastectomy?

• A. Walking the hand up the wall
• B. Sweeping the floor
• C. Combing her hair
• D. Squeezing a ball

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Squeezing a ball. The first exercise that should be done by a client with a mastectomy is squeezing a ball. This helps in regaining strength and mobility in the affected area. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they are not typically the initial exercises recommended post-mastectomy. Walking the hand up the wall, sweeping the floor, and combing hair are activities that may be introduced later in the rehabilitation process.

4. All of the following are common reasons that nurses are reluctant to delegate except:

• A. lack of self-confidence
• B. desire to maintain authority
• C. confidence in subordinate
• D. getting trapped in the 'I can do it better myself' mindset

Correct answer: C

Rationale: If a delegator has confidence in their subordinates and believes a task will be performed correctly, they are more likely to delegate. Reasons nurses may be reluctant to delegate include their own lack of self-confidence, the desire to maintain authority, and getting trapped in the 'I can do it better myself' mindset. Therefore, 'confidence in subordinate' is the exception as it actually encourages delegation. The other choices are common barriers to delegation in healthcare settings.

5. The physician has ordered a culture for the client with suspected gonorrhea. The nurse should obtain which type of culture?

• A. Blood
• B. Nasopharyngeal secretions
• C. Stool
• D. Genital secretions

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A culture for gonorrhea is taken from the genital secretions as gonorrhea primarily affects the genital area. The culture is incubated in a warm environment to promote the growth of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium causing gonorrhea. Genital secretions provide a direct sample from the site of infection, increasing the accuracy of diagnosis. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they are not suitable specimens for diagnosing gonorrhea. Blood cultures are used to detect bloodstream infections, nasopharyngeal secretions are collected for respiratory infections, and stool cultures are done to identify gastrointestinal infections, none of which are related to gonorrhea.

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