Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to perform an admission assessment for a client who reports abdominal pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Perform deep palpation at the end of the admission assessment
• B. Auscultate the client’s abdomen before palpation
• C. Begin palpation of the abdomen at the site of pain
• D. Assess the client’s bowel sounds using the bell of the stethoscope

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Auscultating the abdomen before palpation is the correct action for the nurse to take in this scenario. This approach helps to assess bowel sounds accurately and prevents the alteration of bowel sounds that can occur due to palpation. By auscultating first, the nurse can gather important information about bowel function before proceeding with the palpation. Choice A is incorrect because deep palpation should be avoided initially, especially in a client reporting abdominal pain, as it may cause discomfort or potential harm. Choice C is incorrect as palpation should typically start away from the site of pain to prevent exacerbating discomfort. Choice D is incorrect because assessing bowel sounds with the bell of the stethoscope is not the initial step recommended when a client reports abdominal pain; auscultation should be performed with the diaphragm of the stethoscope first.

2. A patient is placed in the Sims' position. Which areas will the nurse observe for pressure points?

• A. Chin, elbow, hips
• B. Ileum, clavicle, humerus
• C. Shoulder, anterior iliac spine, ankles
• D. Occipital region of the head, coccyx, heels

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a patient is placed in the Sims' position, the nurse should observe pressure points on the ileum, clavicle, humerus, knees, and ankles. Choice A is incorrect as the chin and hips are not typically pressure points in the Sims' position. Choice C is incorrect as the shoulder and anterior iliac spine are not commonly observed pressure points in this position. Choice D is also incorrect as the occipital region of the head, coccyx, and heels are not pressure points commonly associated with the Sims' position.

3. A client had a mastectomy 6 months ago and expresses a decreased desire for sexual relations, stating “My body is so different now.” Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

• A. “Really, you look just fine to me. There’s no need to feel undesirable.”
• B. “I’m interested in finding out more about how your body feels to you.”
• C. “Consider an afternoon at a spa; a facial will make you feel more attractive.”
• D. “It’s still too soon to expect to feel normal. Give it a little more time.”

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this situation, the appropriate response is to reflect on the client’s feelings and explore their experience. Choice A may unintentionally dismiss the client's concerns by not addressing their emotional needs. Choice C suggests a spa treatment as a solution without addressing the underlying emotional issues. Choice D implies that the client's feelings will resolve with time, which may not be helpful in addressing the client's current emotional state.

4. A client who is unstable and requires frequent vital signs has an electronic blood pressure machine automatically measuring his blood pressure every 15 min. However, the machine is reading the client’s blood pressure at more frequent intervals, and the readings are not similar. The nurse checks the machine settings and observes the additional readings, but the problem continues. Which of the following is the appropriate nursing action?

• A. Notify the manufacturer
• B. Disconnect the machine, and measure the blood pressure manually every 15 min
• C. Adjust the machine settings again
• D. Ignore the extra readings

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action in this scenario is to disconnect the electronic blood pressure machine and measure the client's blood pressure manually every 15 minutes. Given that the machine is malfunctioning and providing inconsistent readings, relying on manual measurements ensures accuracy and maintains the quality of care. Notifying the manufacturer (Choice A) may be necessary in the long run, but the immediate concern is the accuracy of the vital signs. Adjusting the machine settings again (Choice C) without resolving the underlying issue would not address the problem. Ignoring the extra readings (Choice D) could lead to incorrect assessment and compromise patient care. Therefore, the best course of action is to disconnect the machine and opt for manual blood pressure measurements until the issue is resolved.

5. A healthcare professional is preparing information for a change-of-shift report. Which of the following information should the healthcare professional include in the report?

• A. Input and output measurements for the shift
• B. Blood pressure readings from the previous day
• C. Bone scan scheduled for today
• D. Medication regimen from the medication administration record

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During a change-of-shift report, healthcare professionals should include the medication regimen from the medication administration record. This information ensures continuity of care and helps incoming staff understand the patient's medication needs and schedule. While input and output measurements, blood pressure readings, and scheduled procedures like a bone scan are important aspects of patient care, they may not be immediately relevant for the incoming shift. Focusing on medication details helps prevent errors and ensures the patient receives the correct medications at the right times.

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