Nursing Elites

1. When assessing the carotid artery of a client with cardiovascular disease, what action should a nurse perform?

• A. Palpating the carotid artery in the upper third of the neck
• B. Palpating both arteries simultaneously to compare amplitude
• C. Listening to the carotid artery, using the bell of the stethoscope to assess for bruits
• D. Instructing the client to take slow, deep breaths while the nurse listens to the carotid artery

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When assessing the carotid artery of a client with cardiovascular disease, the nurse should listen to the carotid artery using the bell of the stethoscope to assess for bruits. This is crucial in detecting abnormal sounds that may indicate underlying pathology. Palpating the carotid artery in the upper third of the neck can trigger a vagal response, leading to a decrease in heart rate, which is undesirable. Palpating both arteries simultaneously can disrupt blood flow to the brain. Instructing the client to take slow, deep breaths is unnecessary and not a standard practice during carotid artery assessment.

2. A nurse is preparing to assess the dorsalis pedis pulse. The nurse palpates this pulse by placing the fingertips in which location?

• A. Behind the knee
• B. Lateral to the extensor tendon of the big toe
• C. In the groove between the malleolus and the Achilles tendon
• D. Below the inguinal ligament, halfway between the pubis and the anterior superior iliac spines

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct location to palpate the dorsalis pedis pulse is lateral to and parallel with the extensor tendon of the big toe. Choices A, C, and D describe the locations for other pulses - popliteal, posterior tibial, and femoral artery respectively. The popliteal pulse is found behind the knee, the posterior tibial pulse is located in the groove between the malleolus and the Achilles tendon, and the femoral artery is situated below the inguinal ligament, halfway between the pubis and the anterior superior iliac spines.

3. A pregnant client is being educated by a nurse on nutrition and foods rich in folic acid. Which food item does the nurse inform the client contains the highest amount of folic acid?

• A. Pinto beans
• B. Lettuce
• C. Oranges
• D. Broccoli

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Pinto beans contain the highest amount of folic acid among the options provided, with 294 mcg per 1-cup serving. Oranges contain 44 mcg per 1-cup serving, lettuce contains 60 mcg per 1-cup serving, and broccoli contains 78 mcg per 1-cup serving. Therefore, pinto beans are the best choice for increasing folic acid intake during pregnancy. Choosing oranges, lettuce, or broccoli would not provide as much folic acid compared to pinto beans, making them less optimal choices for meeting folic acid requirements during pregnancy.

4. Which of the following are included in the Rights of Medication Administration? Select all that apply.

• A. Right dose, right time, right explanation, right client, right route
• B. Right dose, right time, right client, right route
• C. Right dose, right time, right client
• D. Right time, right explanation, right client

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The Rights of Medication Administration include the right client, right drug, right dose, right route, and right time. An additional right that is sometimes included is the right documentation. The correct answer includes the essential rights that must be ensured during medication administration. Choice A is incorrect as 'right explanation' is not part of the traditional Rights of Medication Administration. Choice B is incorrect as 'right explanation' is not included, and choice C is missing the right route. Choice D is incorrect as it lacks the right dose and right route.

5. A nurse is preparing to test the function of cranial nerve XI. Which action does the nurse take to test this nerve?

• A. Asking the client to stick out his or her tongue and watching for tremors
• B. Touching the posterior pharyngeal wall with a tongue blade and noting the gag reflex
• C. Depressing the client's tongue with a tongue blade and noting pharyngeal function as the client says 'ah'
• D. Placing his or her hands on the client's shoulders and asking the client to shrug the shoulders against resistance from the nurse's hands

Correct answer: D

Rationale: To assess the function of cranial nerve XI (spinal accessory nerve), the nurse examines the sternomastoid and trapezius muscles for equal size and strength. The correct method involves asking the client to rotate the head forcibly against resistance to the side of the chin and to shrug the shoulders against resistance from the nurse's hands. Choice A, asking the client to stick out the tongue and watching for tremors, is used to assess cranial nerve XII (hypoglossal nerve). Choice C, depressing the client's tongue with a tongue blade and noting pharyngeal function as the client says 'ah', is the technique for examining cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal nerve) and X (vagus nerve). Choice B, touching the posterior pharyngeal wall with a tongue blade and noting the gag reflex, is used to evaluate cranial nerves IX (glossopharyngeal nerve) and X (vagus nerve), not cranial nerve XI.

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