Nursing Elites

1. A client who just had a bilateral mastectomy is preparing to talk about body changes. Which of the following actions of the nurse is most appropriate during this discussion?

• A. Provide a room that offers minimal distractions
• B. Ask closed-ended questions to allow the client to think about her situation
• C. Write detailed notes during the conversation to track important information
• D. Ask personal questions about the client's background to determine how the procedure has affected her self-concept

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When preparing to discuss sensitive topics such as body changes post-bilateral mastectomy, it is crucial to create a conducive environment. Providing a room with minimal distractions allows the client to feel comfortable, safe, and more likely to open up about personal feelings without interruptions. This setting fosters open communication between the nurse and client, facilitating a more empathetic and supportive interaction. Closed-ended questions (Choice B) may limit the client's ability to express emotions fully. Writing detailed notes (Choice C) during the conversation may distract the nurse from actively listening and being present for the client. Asking personal questions about the client's background (Choice D) may not be appropriate during such a vulnerable discussion and could potentially create discomfort for the client.

2. What psychodynamic process is suggested by a client calling the emergency department during a suicide attempt?

• A. A cry for help
• B. A need for attention
• C. Ambivalence about dying
• D. An inability to stick to a decision

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Ambivalence about dying.' When a client calls the emergency department during a suicide attempt, it suggests conflicting feelings about living and dying. This act can indicate an unconscious desire to be stopped from dying, showing ambivalence between the wish to die and the wish to live. It is not primarily a cry for attention or a need to punish others. The client's intention of suicide alongside seeking help demonstrates the struggle between life and death, making ambivalence the key psychodynamic process at play.

3. When assessing an older adult, which vital sign changes would the nurse recognize as occurring with aging?

• A. Increase in pulse rate
• B. Widened pulse pressure
• C. Increase in body temperature
• D. Decrease in diastolic blood pressure

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When assessing an older adult, the nurse should be aware that with aging, systolic blood pressure tends to increase, resulting in widened pulse pressure. While in many older individuals both systolic and diastolic pressures increase, the pulse rate and body temperature typically do not increase with aging. Therefore, the correct answer is widened pulse pressure. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because pulse rate does not necessarily increase with age, body temperature generally remains stable, and diastolic blood pressure may increase instead of decreasing in many older adults.

4. During a scheduled health maintenance visit, which common source of stress for a 6-year-old client would the nurse include in the teaching session?

• A. Wanting to be first
• B. Demanding privacy
• C. Having a desire to be like an idol
• D. Being more selective with playmates

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A common source of stress for a 6-year-old school-age client is competition, such as wanting to be first or the best (winning). This aspect can create stress for a 6-year-old as they navigate social interactions and activities. Therefore, the nurse would address this issue during the teaching session at the health maintenance visit. Demanding privacy, having a desire to be like an idol, and being more selective with playmates are characteristics more commonly associated with 7-year-old clients, not typically seen in the stressors of a 6-year-old. Understanding age-appropriate stressors is crucial for providing tailored education and support in pediatric care.

5. A client with untreatable metastasized cancer tells the nurse, 'I think they made a mistake. I don't think I have cancer. I feel too good to be dying.' Which stage of grief is the client experiencing?

• A. Anger
• B. Denial
• C. Bargaining
• D. Acceptance

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The client is experiencing the stage of denial. This is evident as the client is having difficulty accepting the reality of their diagnosis and denies the presence of cancer despite the evidence. During the anger stage, the individual expresses anger about their situation, questioning why it is happening to them. Bargaining involves attempting to negotiate for more time or a different outcome, acknowledging the reality of death but trying to delay it. Acceptance, on the other hand, is characterized by coming to terms with the inevitability of death and preparing for it peacefully. Therefore, in this scenario, the client's disbelief and refusal to accept the diagnosis align with the denial stage of grief.

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