Nursing Elites

1. A nurse at an outpatient clinic is returning phone calls that have been made to the clinic. Which of the following calls should have the highest priority for medical intervention?

• A. A home health patient reports, "I am starting to have a breakdown of my heels."?
• B. A patient that received an upper extremity cast yesterday reports, "I can't feel my fingers in my right hand today."?
• C. A young female reports, 'I think I sprained my ankle about 2 weeks ago.'
• D. A middle-aged patient reports, 'My knee is still hurting from the TKR.'

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the patient who received an upper extremity cast yesterday and reports not being able to feel their fingers in the right hand. This situation indicates a potential neurovascular issue that requires immediate attention to prevent complications. The other options are of lesser priority: A - Breakdown of the heels, while concerning, is not an acute issue that necessitates immediate intervention. C - An ankle sprain that occurred two weeks ago is now subacute and unlikely to be an urgent medical concern. D - Pain in the knee following a total knee replacement (TKR) is common in the early postoperative period and is not unexpected.

2. A patient has been prescribed Tegretol for the first time. Which of the following side effects is not associated with Tegretol?

• A. Sore throat
• B. Vertigo
• C. Fever
• D. Shortness of breath

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Shortness of breath.' Side effects commonly associated with Tegretol include sore throat, vertigo, and fever. Shortness of breath is not a typical side effect of Tegretol use. Sore throat, vertigo, and fever are known side effects of Tegretol, while shortness of breath is not typically linked to its use.

3. Why is starting a low CHO diet a contraindication for a client with renal insufficiency?

• A. As long as the client eats a minimum of 30g of CHO/day, there should be no problem.
• B. The client's clinical condition is a contraindication to starting a low CHO diet.
• C. Calcium supplements should be utilized to prevent the development of osteoporosis while on a low CHO diet.
• D. As long as the client eats foods that are high biologic protein sources, a low CHO diet can be followed.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A client with renal insufficiency should not start a low CHO diet because it could result in an increased renal solute load. Clients with renal or liver disease require protein control in their diet to prevent complications. Proteins used must be of high biologic value, and protein intake is usually weight-based. Protein levels may be adjusted based on the client's clinical condition. A minimum level of carbohydrates is needed in the diet to spare protein. Vitamin and mineral supplements might be needed for clients with liver failure. The dietician plays a crucial role in calculating specific nutrient requirements for these clients and monitoring outcomes in conjunction with the healthcare team. Choice A is incorrect because simply consuming a minimum amount of carbohydrates does not address the issue of increased renal solute load. Choice C is incorrect as calcium supplements are not the primary concern when considering a low CHO diet for a client with renal insufficiency. Choice D is incorrect as the focus should be on the contraindication of a low CHO diet for a client with renal insufficiency rather than just high biologic protein sources.

4. A nurse working in a pediatric clinic observes bruises on the body of a four-year-old boy. The parents report the boy fell while riding his bike. The bruises are located on his posterior chest wall and gluteal region. What should the nurse do?

• A. Suggest a script for counseling the family to the doctor on duty.
• B. Recommend a warm bath for the boy to decrease healing time.
• C. Notify the case manager in the clinic about possible child abuse concerns.
• D. Recommend ROM exercises to the patient's spine to decrease healing time.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse is observing bruises on a child's body that are located in areas not commonly associated with accidental injuries. Given the concerning nature of the bruising pattern and the inconsistent history provided by the parents, the nurse should suspect possible child abuse and take appropriate action by notifying the case manager in the clinic. The safety and well-being of the child should always be the top priority. Counseling for the family, warm baths, or recommending range of motion (ROM) exercises are not appropriate actions in this situation and may not address the underlying issue of potential child abuse.

5. A patient has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and COPD. Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to a nursing assistant?

• A. Transferring the patient to the shower.
• B. Ambulating the patient for the first time.
• C. Taking the patient's breath sounds.
• D. Educating the patient on monitoring fatigue.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to delegate the task of transferring the patient to the shower to a nursing assistant. Nursing assistants are trained to assist with transfers safely, making this task appropriate for delegation. Ambulating the patient for the first time involves assessing the patient's mobility and tolerance, which requires more assessment and monitoring by a nurse, especially in a patient with fibromyalgia and COPD. Taking the patient's breath sounds involves assessing the patient's respiratory status, which is a nursing responsibility due to the need for clinical judgment. Educating the patient on monitoring fatigue involves providing vital information and should be done by the nurse to ensure comprehensive understanding and tailored recommendations.

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