Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare provider is assessing a patient with dehydration. Which finding indicates the patient's condition is worsening?

• A. Dry mucous membranes.
• B. Tachycardia and low blood pressure.
• C. Bradycardia and shallow respirations.
• D. Clear lung sounds.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Tachycardia and low blood pressure are indicative of worsening dehydration in a patient. Tachycardia is the body's compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output in response to decreased intravascular volume, while low blood pressure reflects inadequate perfusion due to decreased fluid levels. Bradycardia and shallow respirations are not typical findings in worsening dehydration, and clear lung sounds do not directly correlate with the severity of dehydration.

2. When caring for a client's tracheostomy at home, which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Clean with alcohol
• B. Cover the tracheostomy when outside
• C. Replace the tube weekly
• D. Use tap water to clean

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Covering the tracheostomy when outside is crucial as it helps prevent dust and other irritants from entering the airway, reducing the risk of complications. Cleaning with alcohol (choice A) can be too harsh for the skin around the tracheostomy site. While replacing the tube weekly (choice C) is important, it is typically done by healthcare providers. Using tap water to clean (choice D) is not recommended as it may introduce contaminants to the tracheostomy site.

3. What are the clinical signs of hyperglycemia in a patient with diabetes mellitus, and how should a nurse respond?

• A. Monitoring blood glucose levels and administering insulin
• B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
• C. Fatigue, blurred vision, and fruity breath
• D. Educating the patient on blood glucose monitoring

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct signs of hyperglycemia in a patient with diabetes mellitus are polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger). These symptoms indicate high blood sugar levels. Therefore, the correct response for a nurse would be to recognize these signs, monitor blood glucose levels, and administer insulin to manage the hyperglycemia. Choice A is incorrect because it only addresses the response aspect without mentioning the signs. Choices C and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the classic clinical signs of hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.

4. A nurse is assessing a client with diabetes who reports frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. What should the nurse recommend to prevent these episodes?

• A. Increase protein intake
• B. Monitor blood glucose levels frequently
• C. Increase the dose of insulin
• D. Reduce carbohydrate intake

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct recommendation to prevent hypoglycemic episodes in a client with diabetes who reports frequent episodes is to monitor blood glucose levels frequently. By monitoring blood glucose levels, the nurse can make necessary adjustments to insulin dosage and diet to maintain blood sugar levels within the target range. Increasing protein intake (Choice A) is not directly related to preventing hypoglycemia; it is more important to focus on balancing carbohydrates and insulin. Increasing the dose of insulin (Choice C) without proper monitoring can lead to further hypoglycemic episodes. Similarly, reducing carbohydrate intake (Choice D) should be done cautiously as carbohydrates are a main source of energy and sudden reduction can cause hypoglycemia in diabetic patients.

5. A healthcare professional is reviewing the medical records of a client who has a pressure ulcer. Which of the following findings should the professional expect?

• A. Albumin level of 3
• B. Hemoglobin of 12
• C. Normal skin moisture
• D. No signs of infection

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Albumin level of 3. A low albumin level indicates poor nutrition, which can contribute to the development of pressure ulcers. Choice B, Hemoglobin of 12, is within the normal range and is not directly associated with pressure ulcers. Choice C, Normal skin moisture, does not provide specific information related to pressure ulcers. Choice D, No signs of infection, while important, is not a direct finding associated with pressure ulcers.

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