Nursing Elites

1. A nurse assesses an 83-year-old female's venous ulcer for the second time that is located near the right medial malleolus. The wound is exhibiting purulent drainage, and the patient has limited mobility in her home. Which of the following is the best course of action?

• A. Encourage warm water soaks to the right foot.
• B. Notify the case manager of the purulent drainage.
• C. Determine the patient's pulse in the right ankle.
• D. Recommend increased activity to reduce the purulent drainage.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct course of action is to encourage warm water soaks to the right foot. This can help promote wound healing and alleviate discomfort. Before recommending increased activity or notifying additional team members, it is crucial to assess arterial blood flow by determining the patient's pulse in the right ankle. Poor arterial blood flow could worsen the condition, making increased activity inappropriate. While notifying the case manager of purulent drainage is important, addressing the wound care directly should be the primary focus at this stage.

2. The client has jaundice, elevated liver enzymes, and an elevated serum bilirubin. What color urine does the nurse expect to find?

• A. Pink-tinged
• B. Straw-colored
• C. Clear
• D. Dark amber

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is dark amber. In jaundice, the elevated bilirubin levels are excreted in the urine, giving it a dark amber color. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because in jaundice, the urine typically appears dark amber due to the presence of elevated bilirubin, not pink-tinged, straw-colored, or clear.

3. A nurse has been ordered to administer Morphine to a patient. Which of the following effects is unrelated to Morphine's effects on the patient?

• A. Depressed function of the CNS
• B. Increased blood flow
• C. Decreased venous capacity
• D. Pain relief

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Morphine is a narcotic analgesic that acts centrally to relieve pain by binding to opioid receptors in the CNS, leading to the depressed function of the CNS. Morphine also causes peripheral vasodilation, which can lead to increased blood flow. However, morphine causes venous dilation and increased venous capacity rather than decreased venous capacity. Therefore, the effect of 'Decreased venous capacity' is unrelated to Morphine's effects. Pain relief is a well-known effect of Morphine, as it acts on the CNS to alter the perception of pain.

4. A healthcare professional is assessing a patient in the rehab unit during shift change. The patient has sustained a TBI 3 weeks ago. Which of the following is the most distinguishing characteristic of a neurological disturbance?

• A. LOC (level of consciousness)
• B. Short-term memory
• C. Babinski sign
• D. Clonus sign

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Level of consciousness (LOC) is the most crucial indicator of impaired neurological function. Changes in LOC can signify various neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury. Short-term memory, while important, is not the most distinguishing characteristic of neurological disturbances. Babinski and Clonus signs are specific neurological tests that can provide information about upper motor neuron lesions but are not as generalizable as changes in LOC for assessing overall neurological status.

5. While performing wound care to a donor skin graft site, the nurse notes some scabbing at the edges and a black collection of blood. What is the nurse's next action?

• A. Leave the scabbed area alone and apply extra ointment
• B. Notify the physician
• C. Gently remove the debris and re-dress the wound
• D. Apply skin softening lotion for 3 hours and then re-dress

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When the nurse notes scabbing at the edges and a black collection of blood, it indicates the presence of debris that needs to be addressed. Leaving the scabbed area alone and applying extra ointment may not address the underlying issue and could lead to complications. Notifying the physician is important in some cases, but immediate action is required to prevent infection in this situation. Gently removing the debris and re-dressing the wound is the correct course of action to promote healing and prevent complications.

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