Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client admitted for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chemotherapy. The client reports nausea, flank pain, and muscle cramps. What action by the nurse is most important?

• A. Request an order for serum electrolytes and uric acid.
• B. Increase the client’s IV infusion rate.
• C. Instruct assistive personnel to strain all urine.
• D. Administer an IV antiemetic.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The client's symptoms of nausea, flank pain, and muscle cramps are suggestive of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), a potentially life-threatening complication of chemotherapy in which cancer cells break down rapidly, releasing large amounts of intracellular components into the bloodstream. This leads to imbalances in electrolytes (elevated potassium, phosphate, and uric acid levels, with low calcium levels), which can cause severe metabolic disturbances, including kidney damage, arrhythmias, and muscle cramps. Checking serum electrolytes and uric acid levels is crucial for diagnosing and managing TLS early, preventing further complications.

2. Nurse Ben is reviewing the laboratory results of a client undergoing chemotherapy. Which of the following values would require immediate intervention?

• A. Platelet count of 150,000/mm3
• B. White blood cell count of 6,000/mm3
• C. Hemoglobin level of 14 g/dL
• D. Absolute neutrophil count of 500/mm3

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An absolute neutrophil count of 500/mm3 indicates severe neutropenia, putting the client at high risk for infection. Neutrophils are crucial in fighting off infections; a low count increases susceptibility to infections. Platelet count, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin levels are within normal ranges and do not require immediate intervention in this scenario.

3. A nurse provides care on a bone marrow transplant unit and is preparing a female patient for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) the following day. What information should the nurse emphasize to the patient’s family and friends?

• A. Your family should gather at the bedside in case there is a negative outcome.
• B. Ensure she abstains from eating any food 24 hours before the procedure.
• C. Wear a hospital gown when entering the patient's room.
• D. Avoid visiting if you've had a recent infection.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Avoid visiting if you've had a recent infection.' Before a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, it is essential for visitors to refrain from visiting if they have had a recent illness or vaccination to minimize the risk of infection to the patient. Choice A is incorrect because emphasizing a negative outcome is not beneficial to the patient or their family. Choice B is incorrect as it is not necessary to abstain from food for a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Choice C is irrelevant to the situation as wearing a hospital gown is not the key information for family and friends to be aware of.

4. The nurse is assessing the perineal wound in a client who has returned from the operating room following an abdominal perineal resection and notes serosanguineous drainage from the wound. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

• A. Clamp the Penrose drain.
• B. Change the dressing as prescribed.
• C. Notify the healthcare provider (HCP).
• D. Remove and replace the perineal packing.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the appropriate nursing intervention for serosanguineous drainage from the wound is to change the dressing as prescribed. This helps in maintaining wound cleanliness, preventing infection, and promoting proper wound healing. Clamping the Penrose drain (Choice A) is not indicated as the drainage is from the wound itself, not the drain. Notifying the healthcare provider (Choice C) may be necessary if there are signs of infection or other concerning issues, but changing the dressing should be done first. Removing and replacing the perineal packing (Choice D) is not the priority in this situation unless specifically prescribed by the healthcare provider after assessing the wound.

5. A patient with advanced leukemia is responding poorly to treatment. The nurse finds the patient tearful and trying to express his feelings, but he is clearly having difficulty. What is the nurses most appropriate action?

• A. Tell him that you will give him privacy and leave the room.
• B. Offer to call pastoral care.
• C. Ask if he would like you to sit with him while he collects his thoughts.
• D. Tell him that you can understand how hes feeling.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Providing emotional support and discussing the uncertain future are crucial.

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