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 nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin IV for augmentation of labor. The client’s contractions are occurring every 45 seconds with a duration of 90 seconds, and the fetal heart rate is 170-180/minute. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion
• B. Increase the oxytocin infusion
• C. Decrease the oxytocin infusion
• D. Maintain the oxytocin infusion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the contractions are too frequent (tachysystole), and the fetal heart rate is elevated. Tachysystole can lead to decreased oxygen perfusion to the fetus, causing fetal distress. Therefore, the correct action for the nurse to take is to discontinue the oxytocin infusion to prevent harm to both the mother and fetus. Increasing or maintaining the oxytocin infusion would exacerbate the current situation, potentially leading to further complications. Decreasing the oxytocin infusion may not be sufficient to address the tachysystole and elevated fetal heart rate, making it an inappropriate choice.

3. A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes who is experiencing hypoglycemia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse perform first?

• A. Administer insulin
• B. Give the client a carbohydrate snack
• C. Call for assistance
• D. Monitor blood glucose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to give the client a carbohydrate snack. When a client is experiencing hypoglycemia, the priority intervention is to raise their blood glucose levels quickly. Administering insulin (Choice A) would further lower the blood glucose levels and is contra-indicated in this situation. Calling for assistance (Choice C) may be necessary but is not the priority over addressing the low blood sugar. Monitoring blood glucose (Choice D) is important but not the initial action needed to raise blood glucose levels rapidly.

4. A nurse is caring for a client in a mental health facility. The client’s daughter is crying and tells the nurse that she feels guilty for leaving her father in the hospital. Which of the following is an appropriate response?

• A. I’d like to know more about what’s bothering you.
• B. Why are you feeling this way?
• C. You did the right thing by bringing him here.
• D. I’m sure your father doesn’t blame you.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct response is A: 'I’d like to know more about what’s bothering you.' Encouraging the daughter to express her feelings allows her to explore her emotions, which can be helpful in addressing her guilt and providing emotional support. Choice B is not as open-ended and may come across as confrontational. Choice C may invalidate the daughter's feelings of guilt by implying she shouldn't feel that way. Choice D assumes the father's emotions and may not address the daughter's feelings of guilt effectively.

5. A healthcare professional is assessing a client for signs of depression. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional look for?

• A. Increased energy
• B. Changes in sleep patterns
• C. Weight loss
• D. Both B and C

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When assessing a client for signs of depression, healthcare professionals should look for changes in sleep patterns and weight loss. These are common symptoms associated with depression. Increased energy (choice A) is not typically a sign of depression, as individuals with depression often experience fatigue and a lack of energy. Therefore, choices A, B, and C are incorrect, making choice D the correct answer.

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