Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a client following a head injury and a brief loss of consciousness. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 12
• B. Edematous bruise on the forehead
• C. Small drops of clear fluid in the left ear
• D. Pupils are 4 mm and reactive to light

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Clear fluid draining from the ear may indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which is a serious complication following a head injury. Reporting this finding is crucial as it may require immediate medical intervention to prevent further complications. Choices A, B, and D are not as concerning as a CSF leak. A GCS score of 12 is relatively high, indicating a mild level of consciousness alteration. An edematous bruise on the forehead is a common physical finding after a head injury. Pupils that are 4 mm and reactive to light suggest normal pupillary function.

2. A patient is receiving a blood transfusion and develops chills, a headache, and low back pain. What is the nurse’s priority action?

• A. Administer acetaminophen
• B. Stop the transfusion
• C. Slow the transfusion rate
• D. Administer antihistamines

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to stop the transfusion (Choice B). The symptoms described - chills, headache, and low back pain - are indicative of a transfusion reaction. The priority action is to immediately stop the transfusion to prevent further complications such as more severe reactions like hemolytic reactions or anaphylaxis. Administering acetaminophen (Choice A) may help with symptoms but does not address the underlying cause. Slowing the transfusion rate (Choice C) may not be sufficient if a serious transfusion reaction is occurring. Administering antihistamines (Choice D) is not the priority in this situation; stopping the transfusion takes precedence to ensure patient safety.

3. A patient is at risk for impaired skin integrity. What is the priority intervention for the nurse?

• A. Turn and reposition the patient every 2 hours.
• B. Apply a moisture barrier to the patient's skin.
• C. Massage the patient's skin to promote circulation.
• D. Apply a heating pad to the patient's skin to increase blood flow.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to turn and reposition the patient every 2 hours. This intervention is crucial in preventing pressure ulcers and maintaining skin integrity by relieving pressure on bony prominences. Applying a moisture barrier (Choice B) is important for moisture-associated skin damage but is not the priority in this case. Massaging the patient's skin (Choice C) can potentially cause friction and shear, increasing the risk of skin breakdown. Applying a heating pad (Choice D) can lead to burns or thermal injuries, exacerbating skin integrity issues.

4. When teaching a patient with a new prescription for brimonidine to treat open-angle glaucoma, what indicates an understanding of the instructions?

• A. I can expect my vision to improve quickly
• B. I should use it only when my eyes are irritated
• C. I can expect to feel some irritation when I put these drops in my eyes
• D. I will need regular eye exams

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. When using brimonidine to treat open-angle glaucoma, patients may experience temporary irritation in the eyes. Choice A is incorrect because vision improvement from brimonidine is not immediate. Choice B is incorrect as brimonidine should be used as prescribed, not just when eyes are irritated. Choice D is important but does not directly indicate an understanding of the medication's use.

5. A nurse at a local health department is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with listeriosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

• A. Provide the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention with the client's information
• B. Inform the client that they are required to have health department staff directly observe their treatment
• C. Determine whether the condition is reportable under state requirements
• D. Find out whether the condition is endemic in the client's neighborhood

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Determine whether the condition is reportable under state requirements.' Listeriosis is a reportable disease, meaning healthcare providers are legally required to report cases to public health authorities. By checking the state requirements for reportable diseases, the nurse ensures compliance with public health regulations. Choice A is incorrect because providing the client's information to the CDC is not the immediate action needed. Choice B is incorrect as direct observation of treatment is not a standard procedure for listeriosis. Choice D is also incorrect as determining if the condition is endemic in the client's neighborhood is not the primary concern when managing a diagnosed case of listeriosis.

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