Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a thyroidectomy. The client reports tingling in the fingers and around the mouth. The nurse should anticipate which of the following interventions?

• A. Administer calcium gluconate
• B. Provide a high-protein diet
• C. Administer levothyroxine
• D. Apply a warm compress to the client's neck

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Tingling in the fingers and around the mouth is a sign of hypocalcemia, which can occur after thyroid surgery due to accidental damage to the parathyroid glands. Hypocalcemia is common after thyroidectomy due to potential parathyroid damage. Calcium gluconate is the appropriate intervention to treat hypocalcemia. Providing a high-protein diet or administering levothyroxine are not indicated for hypocalcemia. Applying a warm compress to the client's neck would not address the underlying issue of hypocalcemia.

2. A client with a history of seizures is being cared for by a nurse. Which of the following interventions should the nurse prioritize?

• A. Ensure the environment is safe
• B. Administer medications as prescribed
• C. Monitor for signs of infection
• D. Educate the client about triggers

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should prioritize ensuring the environment is safe for a client with a history of seizures. This intervention is crucial to prevent injury during a seizure. Administering medications as prescribed is important but ensuring a safe environment takes precedence to prevent harm. Monitoring for signs of infection and educating the client about triggers are also essential aspects of care but are not the priority when considering the immediate safety of the client during a seizure.

3. A nurse is reviewing dietary assessment findings for a client who is Jewish and observes kosher dietary practices. Which of the following behaviors should the nurse expect to find?

• A. Leavened bread may be eaten during Passover
• B. Shellfish is commonly consumed in the diet
• C. Meat and dairy products are eaten separately
• D. Fasting from meat occurs during Hanukkah

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. According to kosher dietary laws, meat and dairy products cannot be consumed together. This practice stems from the prohibition in Jewish law against cooking a young animal in its mother's milk. Therefore, the nurse should expect to find that meat and dairy products are eaten separately. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Leavened bread is not eaten during Passover (Choice A), shellfish is not consumed in the kosher diet (Choice B), and fasting from meat does not occur during Hanukkah (Choice D).

4. A client has been prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder. Which of the following should the nurse teach the client to monitor for signs of toxicity?

• A. Nausea and vomiting
• B. Increased urination
• C. Tremors
• D. Blurred vision

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Tremors. Lithium toxicity can present with symptoms such as tremors, nausea, and blurred vision. Tremors are a common early sign of lithium toxicity and should be monitored closely. While nausea and vomiting can also occur with lithium toxicity, tremors are more specific to lithium toxicity. Increased urination is not typically associated with lithium toxicity, and blurred vision is less common compared to tremors in this context.

5. A healthcare provider is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of the following findings should the healthcare provider expect?

• A. Decreased respiratory rate
• B. Use of accessory muscles
• C. Improved lung sounds
• D. Increased energy levels

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Use of accessory muscles.' Clients with COPD often experience airway obstruction, leading to the use of accessory muscles to breathe. This compensatory mechanism helps them overcome the increased work of breathing. Choice A, 'Decreased respiratory rate,' is incorrect because clients with COPD typically have an increased respiratory rate due to the need for more effort to breathe. Choice C, 'Improved lung sounds,' is incorrect because COPD is characterized by wheezes, crackles, and diminished breath sounds. Choice D, 'Increased energy levels,' is incorrect because clients with COPD often experience fatigue due to the increased work of breathing and impaired gas exchange.

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