Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report?

• A. Paradoxical pulse
• B. Dependent edema
• C. Pericardial friction rub
• D. Substernal chest pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A paradoxical pulse is a sign of cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening complication of pericarditis that requires immediate intervention. It results from decreased cardiac output due to increased pressure in the pericardial sac. Reporting this finding promptly allows for timely treatment to prevent further deterioration. Dependent edema and substernal chest pain are common in pericarditis but are not as urgent as a paradoxical pulse. A pericardial friction rub is a classic finding in pericarditis and indicates inflammation but is not as critical as a paradoxical pulse.

2. A nurse is teaching about foot care to a client who has diabetes mellitus (DM). What statement indicates understanding?

• A. I should wear my slippers whenever I am out of bed
• B. I can walk barefoot at home
• C. I should apply lotion between my toes
• D. I can soak my feet in warm water

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Wearing slippers or shoes when out of bed is crucial for clients with diabetes as it protects the feet from injury. Walking barefoot, as mentioned in option B, can increase the risk of cuts, sores, and infections in diabetic patients. Applying lotion between the toes, as stated in option C, can lead to maceration and increase the risk of fungal infections. Similarly, soaking feet in warm water, as mentioned in option D, can cause skin breakdown and should be avoided by diabetic patients.

3. A community health nurse is teaching a group of clients about first aid for wounds. Which client statement indicates understanding?

• A. Remove blood-saturated dressings
• B. Apply clean dressings over the saturated ones and hold pressure
• C. Elevate the wound above heart level
• D. Leave the wound open to air

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Applying clean dressings over blood-saturated ones and holding pressure helps to control bleeding and prevent tissue disruption. Removing blood-saturated dressings can cause further damage by disrupting the forming clot. Elevating the wound above heart level is beneficial to reduce swelling, but it is not the best immediate action for a blood-saturated dressing. Leaving the wound open to air can increase the risk of infection and slow down the healing process.

4. A nurse is teaching a client with mild persistent asthma who has been prescribed montelukast. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate?

• A. This medication can be used during an acute asthma attack.
• B. This medication should be taken before exercise.
• C. You can take this medication for 10 days, then discontinue.
• D. This medication helps decrease swelling and mucus production.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'This medication helps decrease swelling and mucus production.' Montelukast is used for long-term asthma management as it helps reduce inflammation and mucus production in the airways. It is not appropriate for acute asthma attacks. Choice A is incorrect because montelukast is not a rescue medication for acute attacks. Choice B is incorrect because montelukast is not specifically taken before exercise. Choice C is incorrect because montelukast is usually taken regularly, not just for a short duration.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and receiving electronic fetal monitoring. The nurse is reviewing the monitor tracing and notes early decelerations. What should the nurse expect?

• A. Fetal hypoxia
• B. Abruptio placentae
• C. Post-maturity
• D. Head compression

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When early decelerations are noted on the fetal monitor tracing, it indicates fetal head compression, which is typically a benign finding associated with the progress of labor. Early decelerations mirror the uterine contractions and are often not a cause for concern as they are a normal response to fetal head compression during contractions. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not align with the expected outcome of early decelerations. Fetal hypoxia, abruptio placentae, and post-maturity would present with different patterns on the fetal monitor tracing and would require different interventions.

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