Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a patient with an infection. Which laboratory result is most important to monitor?

• A. White blood cell count (WBC)
• B. C-reactive protein (CRP)
• C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• D. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: White blood cell count (WBC). Monitoring the white blood cell count is crucial when caring for a patient with an infection as it helps assess the body's response to the infection. An elevated white blood cell count often indicates an active infection or inflammation, while a decreasing count may signal improvement or potential complications. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are nonspecific markers of inflammation and not as specific to monitoring infection progression as the white blood cell count. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity and blood volume, but they are not the primary indicators for monitoring infection.

2. A patient has a new prescription for allopurinol to treat gout. What should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Decrease protein intake
• B. Limit salt intake
• C. Increase fluid intake
• D. Limit alcohol

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Correct answer: Increasing fluid intake is essential when taking allopurinol to prevent kidney stones and aid in uric acid excretion. This helps reduce the risk of developing complications associated with gout. Decreasing protein intake (Choice A) is not directly related to allopurinol therapy. Limiting salt intake (Choice B) and alcohol consumption (Choice D) are important for overall health but are not specific recommendations when taking allopurinol for gout.

3. A client is preparing for surgery wearing a necklace. What is the appropriate action?

• A. Remove the necklace and place it in a drawer
• B. Tape the necklace to the patient's skin
• C. Ask the patient for permission to lock it in a safe
• D. Ask the family to hold onto the necklace

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The appropriate action when a client is wearing a necklace before surgery is to ask the patient for permission to lock it in a safe. This is in line with hospital policy to secure valuables before entering surgery. Choice A is incorrect because simply placing the necklace in a drawer may not be secure. Choice B is incorrect as taping the necklace to the patient's skin can cause skin irritation and is not a standard practice. Choice D is incorrect because the responsibility for securing valuables typically lies with the healthcare team, not the patient's family.

4. What is the primary focus of secondary prevention in community mental health care?

• A. Teaching stress-reduction techniques
• B. Early detection of mental illness
• C. Leading support groups for clients with substance use disorder
• D. Rehabilitation and prevention of further issues

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Early detection of mental illness. Secondary prevention in community mental health care focuses on identifying mental health issues at an early stage to provide timely interventions. Choice A, teaching stress-reduction techniques, is more aligned with primary prevention aimed at preventing the onset of mental health problems. Choice C, leading support groups for clients with substance use disorder, pertains more to providing specific interventions for individuals with substance use issues rather than the general focus of secondary prevention. Choice D, rehabilitation and prevention of further issues, is more related to tertiary prevention, which involves addressing existing mental health conditions and preventing complications or recurrence.

5. A nurse is assigned to care for a client with unstable blood pressure. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Monitor the client every two hours.
• B. Continuously monitor the client's vital signs.
• C. Wait for the healthcare provider to provide instructions.
• D. Ask the healthcare provider for specific instructions.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the case of a client with unstable blood pressure, the priority action for the nurse is to continuously monitor the client's vital signs. This allows for immediate detection of any fluctuations in blood pressure and timely intervention if necessary. Choice A, monitoring every two hours, may not provide real-time information needed for prompt intervention. Choices C and D suggest waiting for instructions from the healthcare provider, which could cause a delay in addressing the unstable blood pressure, potentially leading to adverse outcomes. Therefore, the most appropriate initial action is to continuously monitor the client's vital signs.

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