Nursing Elites

1. A medical-surgical nurse is concerned about the incidence of complications related to IV therapy, including bloodstream infection. Which intervention should the nurse suggest to the management team to make the biggest impact on decreasing complications

• A. Initiate a dedicated team to insert access devices
• B. . Require additional education for all nurses.
• C. Limit the use of peripheral venous access devices.
• D. Perform quality control testing on skin preparation products.

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

2. A nurse in the neurologic ICU has orders to infuse a hypertonic solution into a patient with increased intracranial pressure. This solution will increase the number of dissolved particles in the patient's blood, creating pressure for fluids in the tissues to shift into the capillaries and increase the blood volume. This process is best described as which of the following?

• A. Hydrostatic pressure
• B. Osmosis and osmolality
• C. Diffusion
• D. Active transport

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Osmosis and osmolality. Osmosis is the movement of fluid from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane. In this case, the hypertonic solution increases the number of dissolved particles in the blood, causing fluids to shift into the capillaries due to the osmotic pressure gradient. Osmolality refers to the concentration of solutes in a solution. Hydrostatic pressure refers to changes in water or volume related to water pressure, not the movement of fluids due to solute concentration differences. Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of greater concentration to lesser concentration; in an intact vascular system, solutes are unable to move freely, so diffusion does not play a significant role in this scenario. Active transport involves the movement of molecules against the concentration gradient with the use of energy, typically at the cellular level, and is not related to the vascular volume changes described in the question.

3. What is the most abundant positive ion in blood plasma?

• A. Potassium.
• B. Calcium.
• C. Sodium.
• D. Both potassium and sodium are in equal concentrations.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sodium. Sodium (Na+) is the most abundant cation in the extracellular fluid, including blood plasma. It plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance, nerve function, and is essential for various physiological processes. Choice A, Potassium, is also an important ion in the body but is predominantly found intracellularly. Choice B, Calcium, is an essential mineral in the body but is not the most abundant positive ion in blood plasma. Choice D is incorrect as sodium is the primary positive ion in blood plasma, with a much higher concentration compared to potassium.

4. A nurse is taking care of a 65-year-old female patient in a medical-surgical unit who is in renal failure; during the assessment, the patient complains of tingling in her lips and fingers. When the nurse takes her blood pressure, she has a spasm in her wrist and hand. The nurse suspects:

• A. Hypophosphatemia
• B. Hypocalcemia
• C. Hypermagnesemia
• D. Hyperkalemia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The patient's symptoms of tingling in the lips and fingers along with the wrist and hand spasm are indicative of tetany, a characteristic manifestation of hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia can present with sensations of tingling in the extremities and around the mouth. The spasm in the wrist and hand when taking blood pressure could be due to slight ischemia of the ulnar nerve, further supporting the suspicion of hypocalcemia in this patient. Hypophosphatemia, hypermagnesemia, and hyperkalemia do not typically present with these specific symptoms and manifestations.

5. The nurse is caring for a patient in metabolic alkalosis. The patient has an NG tube to low intermittent suction for a diagnosis of bowel obstruction. What drug would the nurse expect to find on the medication orders?

• A. Cimetidine
• B. Maalox
• C. Potassium chloride elixir
• D. ) Furosemide

Correct answer: A

Rationale:

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