Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client with a newly inserted pacemaker. What is the most important nursing action post-procedure?

• A. Monitor the insertion site for signs of infection.
• B. Educate the client about activity restrictions.
• C. Monitor the client's heart rate and rhythm.
• D. Assess the client's lung sounds for signs of fluid overload.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Post-procedure, monitoring the insertion site for signs of infection is crucial because it helps in early detection of any potential complications such as infection. While educating the client about activity restrictions, monitoring the client's heart rate and rhythm, and assessing lung sounds for signs of fluid overload are important aspects of care, the immediate priority post-procedure is to prevent infection at the insertion site, which could lead to serious complications.

2. A 60-year-old male client with a long history of back pain has had little success with a variety of analgesic regimens that his family physician has prescribed. He has recently been diagnosed with a chronic pain disorder. Which teaching points about chronic pain would his physician most likely emphasize to the client?

• A. Chronic pain is often difficult to treat and requires a multimodal approach.
• B. Chronic pain indicates that an underlying injury has not healed properly.
• C. Chronic pain can be managed with a single long-term medication.
• D. Chronic pain is typically less severe than acute pain but lasts longer.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Chronic pain is often complex and challenging to treat, necessitating a multimodal approach that may include medication, physical therapy, and behavioral therapy. Choice B is incorrect because chronic pain does not always indicate that an underlying injury has not healed properly; it can persist even after the initial injury has healed. Choice C is incorrect as chronic pain management usually involves a combination of treatments rather than relying solely on a single long-term medication. Choice D is incorrect because chronic pain is not necessarily less severe than acute pain; it can vary in intensity and duration depending on the individual and underlying condition.

3. In a 70-year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reporting increasing shortness of breath, wheezing, and cough, which finding would indicate a potential exacerbation of his COPD?

• A. Increased wheezing
• B. Decreased respiratory rate
• C. Improved exercise tolerance
• D. Decreased sputum production

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased wheezing. In COPD exacerbations, there is a worsening of symptoms such as increased wheezing due to airway inflammation and narrowing. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Decreased respiratory rate would not be expected in COPD exacerbation as it is usually a compensatory mechanism to maintain oxygenation. Improved exercise tolerance is not a typical finding in exacerbations but rather a sign of improvement. Decreased sputum production is also not indicative of exacerbation, as exacerbations are often associated with increased sputum production.

4. A female patient is taking combined hormonal contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. She visits the gynecology clinic and is noted to have a blood pressure of 176/102 mm Hg. The patient is started on enalapril mesylate 10 mg. In collaboration with the primary care provider, what other patient teaching should be provided based on her current medication regimen?

• A. Instruct on a low-salt diet.
• B. Instruct to discontinue the contraceptives.
• C. Instruct on the use of relaxation techniques to decrease stress.
• D. Instruct on the rationale for increasing the contraceptive dose.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Women on hormonal contraceptives and antihypertensives like enalapril should be counseled to adopt a low-salt diet if severe hypertension occurs. This dietary modification can help in managing blood pressure levels. Instructing to discontinue the contraceptives is crucial in cases of severe hypertension as it poses an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Instructing on relaxation techniques may have some benefits in reducing stress levels but addressing the root cause, such as discontinuing contraceptives in this scenario, is more critical. There is no rationale for increasing the contraceptive dose when hypertension is present; in fact, it should be stopped to prevent complications.

5. A patient is prescribed sildenafil (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction. What is a key contraindication that the nurse should review with the patient?

• A. History of hypertension
• B. Use of nitrates
• C. Use of antihypertensive medications
• D. History of peptic ulcer disease

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Use of nitrates.' Sildenafil (Viagra) is contraindicated in patients taking nitrates due to the risk of severe hypotension. Nitrates and sildenafil both act as vasodilators, and their combined use can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because having a history of hypertension, using antihypertensive medications, or having a history of peptic ulcer disease are not key contraindications for sildenafil use.

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