Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who had a total thyroidectomy and has a serum calcium level of 7.6 mg/dL. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Shortened QT intervals
• B. Hypoactive deep tendon reflexes
• C. Tingling of the extremities
• D. Constipation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Tingling of the extremities. Tingling is a common symptom of hypocalcemia, which is expected with low calcium levels after a thyroidectomy. Option A, shortened QT intervals, is associated with hypercalcemia rather than hypocalcemia. Option B, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, is not typically related to hypocalcemia. Option D, constipation, is not a common finding associated with low calcium levels.

2. A nursing instructor is observing a nursing student practicing standard precautions. Which observation by the instructor indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. The nursing student wears a gown to change the bed of an incontinent client.
• B. The nursing student washes hands before making contact with the client.
• C. The nursing student washes her hands before glove removal after emptying a Foley bag.
• D. The nursing student changes gloves between tasks and procedures.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The nursing student washing her hands before glove removal after emptying a Foley bag indicates a need for further teaching. Hands should be washed after glove removal to maintain proper infection control. Choice A is correct as wearing a gown when changing the bed of an incontinent client is a standard precaution. Choice B is correct as washing hands before making contact with the client is a good practice. Choice D is correct as changing gloves between tasks and procedures is a standard precaution to prevent the spread of infection.

3. A patient is admitted with suspected pneumonia. What is the nurse's priority assessment?

• A. Auscultate the patient's lung sounds.
• B. Assess the patient's oxygen saturation.
• C. Monitor the patient's white blood cell count.
• D. Monitor the patient's skin integrity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient's oxygen saturation. In suspected pneumonia, ensuring adequate oxygenation is critical to monitor respiratory function. Auscultating lung sounds is important but assessing oxygen saturation takes precedence as it directly reflects the patient's oxygen levels. Monitoring white blood cell count is more related to infection assessment rather than immediate respiratory status. Checking skin integrity is essential for overall patient care but is not the priority in a patient with suspected pneumonia.

4. A client in her first trimester of pregnancy is being taught by a nurse about over-the-counter medications that belong to pregnancy risk category B. Which of the following medications should the nurse include?

• A. Naproxen
• B. Aspirin
• C. Ibuprofen
• D. Acetaminophen

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Acetaminophen is the correct choice as it belongs to pregnancy risk category B, making it considered safe during pregnancy. Naproxen, Aspirin, and Ibuprofen are not recommended during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, as they are classified in higher-risk categories which may be harmful to the developing fetus.

5. A nurse manager is planning client assignments for the day. Which client should the nurse assign to the nursing assistant?

• A. A client who needs help ambulating.
• B. A client who requires complex wound care.
• C. A client who needs intravenous antibiotics.
• D. A client who is NPO and requires IV hydration.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because ambulating a client is a non-invasive task that can be safely and effectively performed by a nursing assistant. Choice B is incorrect as complex wound care requires specialized skills usually performed by licensed nurses. Choice C involves administering intravenous antibiotics, which also requires a higher level of training and assessment skills than a nursing assistant possesses. Choice D, involving a client who is NPO and requires IV hydration, may involve further assessments and monitoring that are beyond the scope of a nursing assistant.

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