Nursing Elites

1. A few weeks after an 82-year-old with a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has been placed on metformin (Glucophage) therapy and taught about appropriate diet and exercise, the home health nurse makes a visit. Which finding by the nurse is most important to discuss with the healthcare provider?

• A. Hemoglobin A1C level is 7.9%.
• B. Last eye exam was 18 months ago.
• C. Glomerular filtration rate is decreased.
• D. Patient has questions about the prescribed diet.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most important finding to discuss with the healthcare provider is the decreased glomerular filtration rate. In patients on metformin therapy, monitoring kidney function is crucial as metformin is primarily excreted through the kidneys. A decreased glomerular filtration rate can lead to metformin accumulation in the body, increasing the risk of lactic acidosis, a serious adverse effect. The hemoglobin A1C level being 7.9% indicates poor diabetes control but can be addressed through medication adjustments and lifestyle modifications. The patient needing an eye exam after 18 months is important but not as urgent as discussing the decreased glomerular filtration rate. Patient questions about the prescribed diet can be addressed during the visit without the need for immediate healthcare provider intervention.

2. A nurse recognizes which of the following as a primary goal of nursing?

• A. Assist patients to achieve a peaceful death.
• B. Improve personal knowledge and skills to enhance patient outcomes.
• C. Advocate for quality of life rather than quantity of life.
• D. Work to control costs to enhance patients' quality of life.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The primary goal of nursing is to promote health, prevent illness, alleviate suffering, and care for the sick. Assisting patients to achieve a peaceful death is an essential aspect of nursing care, ensuring dignity and comfort in the end-of-life phase. While improving personal knowledge and advocating for quality of life are important aspects of nursing, the primary goal remains the well-being and comfort of patients, even in death. Working to control costs, while a consideration in healthcare, is not the primary goal of nursing, which is centered on patient care and well-being.

3. By using ___________ in the workplace, nurses increase their professional influence.

• A. political skills
• B. reward power
• C. expert power
• D. power and politics

Correct answer: C

Rationale: By using expert power in the workplace, nurses increase their professional influence. Expert power is derived from an individual's knowledge, skills, or expertise in a particular area. This allows nurses to influence others based on their competence and credibility, rather than through political skills (choice A), reward power (choice B), or the combination of power and politics (choice D). While political skills and understanding power dynamics can be beneficial, expert power is particularly effective in enhancing a nurse's professional influence.

4. One way to determine staffing needs is to classify clients according to nursing care required. Another name for this is a(n) __________.

• A. self-scheduling
• B. supplementing staff system
• C. patient classification system (PCS)
• D. acuity system

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: acuity system. An acuity system involves classifying clients based on the nursing care they require to determine staffing needs accurately. Choice A, self-scheduling, is not related to classifying clients based on care needs. Choice B, supplementing staff system, does not specifically refer to the classification of clients. Choice C, patient classification system (PCS), is close but not as commonly used as 'acuity system' in healthcare settings to determine staffing needs.

5. What is the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee?

• A. To oversee patient safety initiatives
• B. To develop staffing policies and procedures
• C. To coordinate patient care
• D. To manage nurse recruitment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee is to develop staffing policies and procedures to ensure adequate nurse-to-patient ratios. By establishing these guidelines, the committee aims to optimize patient care by ensuring appropriate staffing levels, which in turn can enhance patient safety and coordination of care. While overseeing patient safety initiatives and managing nurse recruitment are important aspects of healthcare management, the core function of a nurse staffing committee is to create and implement policies that govern the allocation and distribution of nursing staff to meet patient care needs effectively. Therefore, choices A, C, and D, though relevant to healthcare, do not align with the primary purpose of a nurse staffing committee as outlined in the question.

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