Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a client who has a brainstem injury. The nurse should expect the client to exhibit which of the following findings?

• A. Decerebrate posturing.
• B. Hypervigilance.
• C. Absence of deep tendon reflexes.
• D. Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decerebrate posturing. Decerebrate posturing is an abnormal body posture characterized by rigid extension of the arms and legs, which indicates severe brainstem injury affecting the midbrain and pons. This posture suggests dysfunction or damage to neural pathways controlling muscle tone. Choice B, hypervigilance, is not typically associated with brainstem injury but rather with increased alertness and arousal. Choice C, absence of deep tendon reflexes, is not a specific finding related to brainstem injury. Choice D, a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, indicates a fully awake and alert state, which is not expected in a client with a brainstem injury.

2. A healthcare professional is reviewing the medical records of a client who has a pressure ulcer. Which of the following is an expected finding?

• A. Serum albumin level of 3 g/dL
• B. HDL level of 90 mg/dL
• C. Norton scale score of 18
• D. Braden scale score of 20

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A serum albumin level of 3 g/dL is indicative of poor nutrition, which is commonly associated with pressure ulcers. This finding suggests that the client may be at risk for developing or already has a pressure ulcer due to malnutrition. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) level of 90 mg/dL (Choice B) is not directly related to pressure ulcers. The Norton scale (Choice C) is used to assess a client's risk of developing pressure ulcers, not as a finding in a client with an existing pressure ulcer. The Braden scale (Choice D) is also a tool used to assess the risk of developing pressure ulcers, not a finding in a client with an existing pressure ulcer.

3. A nurse in a provider's office is reinforcing discharge teaching with a client who is postoperative following cataract removal from one eye. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Use eye drops to soothe dryness
• B. Avoid rubbing the eye
• C. Sleep on the side of the affected eye
• D. Avoid lying on the affected side

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After cataract surgery, it is essential to avoid lying on the affected side to reduce pressure and promote healing. Sleeping on the side of the affected eye (Choice C) may increase pressure on the eye, leading to complications. While using eye drops to soothe dryness (Choice A) is generally recommended postoperatively, it is not as crucial as avoiding pressure on the eye. Rubbing the eye (Choice B) should be avoided to prevent irritation and potential damage, but it is not as critical as avoiding pressure on the affected eye.

4. What is a key nursing action for a client with a wound infection?

• A. Change the dressing daily
• B. Perform a wound culture before applying antibiotics
• C. Cleanse the wound with alcohol-based solutions
• D. Apply a wet-to-dry dressing to the wound

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Performing a wound culture before applying antibiotics is crucial for determining the specific type of infection present and selecting the most effective antibiotic treatment. Changing the dressing daily (Choice A) is a routine wound care practice but may not address the root cause of the infection. Cleansing the wound with alcohol-based solutions (Choice C) can be too harsh and delay wound healing. Applying a wet-to-dry dressing (Choice D) is an outdated practice that can cause trauma to the wound bed and hinder the healing process.

5. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who was admitted for acute kidney injury. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse expect to be elevated?

• A. Creatinine
• B. Magnesium
• C. Hemoglobin
• D. White blood cell count

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Creatinine is the correct answer. In acute kidney injury, creatinine levels are expected to be elevated due to impaired renal function. Magnesium, hemoglobin, and white blood cell count are not typically elevated in acute kidney injury. Magnesium levels may be affected in kidney disease, but elevation is not a common finding in acute kidney injury.

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