Nursing Elites

1. A client with rheumatoid arthritis is receiving methotrexate (Rheumatrex). The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

• A. Leukopenia
• B. Hyperglycemia
• C. Hypertension
• D. Hypokalemia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Leukopenia. Methotrexate, used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to bone marrow suppression, resulting in leukopenia. This condition increases the risk of infections due to decreased white blood cell count. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because methotrexate is not known to cause hyperglycemia, hypertension, or hypokalemia as its primary adverse effects.

2. A client tells the nurse he is fearful of planned surgery because of evil thoughts about a family member. What is the best initial response by the nurse?

• A. Call a chaplain
• B. Deny the feelings
• C. Cite recovery statistics
• D. Listen to the client

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to listen to the client. Listening allows the nurse to establish therapeutic communication, understand the client's fears and concerns, provide emotional support, and help alleviate anxiety. Calling a chaplain (Choice A) may be appropriate if the client requests spiritual support but should not be the initial response. Denying the feelings (Choice B) is dismissive and can hinder trust and communication. Citing recovery statistics (Choice C) is irrelevant and does not address the client's immediate emotional needs.

3. A nurse is practicing community health nursing when:

• A. leading a support group for obese adolescents
• B. visiting an old woman in her condominium to change her postsurgical dressing
• C. being in a clinic instructing a couple about newborn care
• D. performing any of these activities

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Correct! Community health nursing involves a broad scope of activities that focus on promoting and preserving the health of populations rather than individuals. This includes leading support groups, providing home care, and educating communities. The other options represent different aspects of nursing care such as home health nursing, wound care, and maternal-child health - which are not exclusive to community health nursing.

4. As a client who is terminally ill has been receiving high doses of an opioid analgesic for the past month and becomes unresponsive to verbal stimuli as death approaches, what orders would the nurse expect from the healthcare provider?

• A. Decrease the analgesic dosage by half
• B. Discontinue the analgesic
• C. Continue the same analgesic dosage
• D. Prescribe a less potent drug

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Continuing the same dosage of analgesic is appropriate to manage pain effectively as death nears and the client becomes unresponsive. The primary goal of palliative care in end-of-life situations is to ensure comfort, regardless of the client's level of consciousness. Decreasing the analgesic dosage or discontinuing it could lead to inadequate pain relief, which goes against the principles of palliative care. Prescribing a less potent drug may also compromise pain management in this critical stage. Therefore, maintaining the same analgesic dosage is the most appropriate action to provide comfort and alleviate suffering.

5. When designing a community health project based on a report provided by the World Health Organization that describes healthcare problems in the United States, which healthcare issue should the nurse prioritize the highest when planning the project?

• A. Overuse of diagnostic technology.
• B. Government-based health insurance.
• C. The neonatal and infant mortality rates.
• D. Number of people without access to health care.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The neonatal and infant mortality rates should be given the highest priority when planning the project because they are critical indicators of the overall health and healthcare system's effectiveness. High neonatal and infant mortality rates signify underlying issues in prenatal care, access to healthcare services, and quality of care for newborns and infants. Choice A, overuse of diagnostic technology, though important, may not be as critical as addressing neonatal and infant mortality rates. Choice B, government-based health insurance, is significant but may not directly impact neonatal and infant mortality rates. Choice D, the number of people without access to healthcare, is a crucial issue, but addressing neonatal and infant mortality rates should take precedence due to their immediate impact on the health and well-being of the most vulnerable population.

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