Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is unconscious and whose partner is their health care surrogate. The partner wishes to discontinue the client's feeding tube, but another family member tells the nurse that they want the client to continue receiving treatment. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

• A. You should contact the provider about your wishes for your family member.
• B. We'll need to have the nursing supervisor review the client's advance directives.
• C. You should speak with the facility's ethics committee about your concerns.
• D. As the health care surrogate, the client's partner can make this decision.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct response is D because the health care surrogate, as designated by the client, has the legal authority to make healthcare decisions on behalf of the client when they are unable to do so. This authority includes decisions about treatment continuation or withdrawal. Option A is incorrect as the family member's wishes do not override the legal authority of the health care surrogate. Option B is not the most appropriate action in this situation as the advance directives are already clear by the designation of a health care surrogate. Option C is not necessary at this stage since the health care surrogate can make the decision without involving the ethics committee.

2. Steven John has type 1 diabetes mellitus and receives insulin. Which laboratory test will the nurse assess?

• A. Potassium
• B. AST (aspartate aminotransferase)
• C. Serum amylase
• D. Sodium

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Potassium. Patients with type 1 diabetes receiving insulin are at risk of developing hypokalemia due to insulin's effects on potassium levels. Monitoring potassium levels is crucial to prevent complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because AST, serum amylase, and sodium levels are not directly impacted by insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes and are not the primary concern that needs monitoring in this scenario.

3. What is the normal sodium level in the body?

• A. 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter.
• B. 3 to 5 milliequivalents per liter.
• C. 135 to 145 microequivalents per liter.
• D. 3 to 5 microequivalents per liter.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 135 to 145 milliequivalents per liter. The normal range for sodium levels in the body is expressed in milliequivalents per liter, not microequivalents. Choice B and D provide a significantly lower range which is not within the normal values for sodium. Choice C incorrectly states 'microequivalents' instead of the correct unit 'milliequivalents'. Therefore, A is the correct answer.

4. Which healthcare-associated infection poses the greatest risk for patients?

• A. Pneumonia
• B. Catheter-related infections
• C. Intravenous line infections
• D. C. difficile

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Catheter-related infections pose the greatest risk for patients in healthcare settings. Catheters are invasive devices that can introduce pathogens directly into the bloodstream, leading to severe infections. Pneumonia, intravenous line infections, and C. difficile infections are serious concerns as well, but catheter-related infections are particularly risky due to the direct access they provide for pathogens to enter the body.

5. A case manager is preparing a discharge plan for a client following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Which of the following client issues should the nurse address first?

• A. Inadequate food supply
• B. Low pain tolerance
• C. Limited social support
• D. Decreased self-esteem

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should address the inadequate food supply first as it directly impacts the client's health post-discharge. Proper nutrition is crucial for recovery after surgery, especially such as coronary artery bypass grafting. While low pain tolerance, limited social support, and decreased self-esteem are all important issues to address, addressing the client's nutritional needs is the priority in this scenario to ensure optimal recovery and healing.

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