Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing fluid volume deficit (FVD). What clinical finding should the nurse expect?

• A. Decreased hematocrit
• B. Increased heart rate
• C. Increased blood pressure
• D. Decreased respiratory rate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Increased heart rate is a common sign of fluid volume deficit (FVD) as the body compensates for decreased fluid levels. When a client is experiencing FVD, the body tries to maintain perfusion to vital organs by increasing the heart rate. This compensatory mechanism helps to improve cardiac output and maintain blood pressure. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because in FVD, hematocrit may be increased due to hemoconcentration, blood pressure tends to decrease as a compensatory response to FVD, and respiratory rate is usually unaffected or may increase due to attempts to maintain oxygenation.

2. A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a client. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Percuss the abdomen
• B. Inspect the abdomen
• C. Auscultate before palpation
• D. Palpate the abdomen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to auscultate before palpation. This ensures that bowel sounds are not altered by physical manipulation. Inspecting the abdomen is a valid step but not the first. Percussing and palpating should come after auscultation to prevent altering bowel sounds or causing discomfort to the client.

3. A nurse is reviewing the lab report of a client who has been experiencing a fever for the last 3 days. What lab result indicates the client is experiencing fluid volume deficit (FVD)?

• A. Decreased BUN levels
• B. Increased hematocrit
• C. Increased white blood cell count
• D. Decreased hematocrit

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased hematocrit. Increased hematocrit indicates hemoconcentration, which is a sign of fluid volume deficit. When there is a decrease in fluid volume in the body, the blood becomes more concentrated, leading to an increase in hematocrit levels. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because decreased BUN levels, increased white blood cell count, and decreased hematocrit are not indicative of fluid volume deficit.

4. A nurse is sitting with the partner of a client who recently died. Which action should the nurse take to facilitate mourning?

• A. Avoid discussing the deceased
• B. Encourage the partner to ask for help when needed
• C. Suggest bereavement counseling
• D. Offer to contact family members

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging the partner to ask for help when needed is the most appropriate action in this scenario as it promotes healthy coping mechanisms and support during the mourning process. This approach empowers the individual to seek assistance when required, fostering a sense of control and acknowledging the partner's autonomy in dealing with their grief. Avoiding discussing the deceased (Choice A) may hinder the grieving process by suppressing emotions and preventing the partner from expressing their feelings. While suggesting bereavement counseling (Choice C) is important, the immediate support and encouragement to seek help when needed are crucial. Offering to contact family members (Choice D) may not be the most effective step at this stage, as the focus should be on empowering the partner to cope and seek help on their terms.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who reports a decrease in the effectiveness of their arthritis medication. What factor should the nurse identify as contributing to this decrease?

• A. Improved mobility
• B. Bowel inflammation
• C. Long-term use of the medication
• D. Frequent dehydration

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bowel inflammation. Bowel inflammation can decrease the absorption of medications, reducing their effectiveness. Improved mobility (choice A) would generally not contribute to a decrease in medication effectiveness. Long-term use of the medication (choice C) may lead to tolerance but would not directly cause a decrease in effectiveness. Frequent dehydration (choice D) can affect overall health but is not a direct factor in the medication's effectiveness for arthritis.

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