Nursing Elites

1. When providing discharge teaching for a group of clients, a nurse should recommend a referral to a dietitian for which client?

• A. A client who has a prescription for warfarin and states, 'I will need to limit how much spinach I eat.'
• B. A client who has gout and states, 'I can continue to eat anchovies on my pizza.'
• C. A client who has a prescription for spironolactone and states, 'I will reduce my intake of foods that contain potassium.'
• D. A client who has osteoporosis and states, 'I'll plan to take my calcium carbonate with a full glass of water.'

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the client who has gout and states, 'I can continue to eat anchovies on my pizza.' Gout is a condition that requires dietary modifications to manage symptoms. Anchovies are high in purines, which can exacerbate gout symptoms. Therefore, a referral to a dietitian is essential to provide appropriate dietary guidance for a client with gout. Clients on warfarin may need to monitor their vitamin K intake, particularly from foods like spinach. Clients taking spironolactone should be cautious about potassium-rich foods. Clients with osteoporosis should be educated on the proper administration of calcium supplements but do not necessarily need a dietitian referral for this specific statement.

2. A client has had a cast applied, and a nurse is providing care. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Place an ice pack over the cast.
• B. Palpate the pulse distal to the cast.
• C. Teach the client to keep the cast clean and dry.
• D. Position the casted extremity on a pillow.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When caring for a client with a newly applied cast, the nurse's priority should be to assess the circulation by palpating the pulse distal to the cast. This is crucial to ensure there is no compromise in blood flow, which could lead to serious complications. Placing an ice pack over the cast, teaching the client about cast care, and positioning the casted extremity on a pillow are important interventions but should follow the assessment of circulation.

3. A patient is kept off food and fluids for 10 hours before surgery. His oral temperature at 8 a.m. is 99.8°F (37.7°C). This temperature reading probably indicates:

• A. Infection
• B. Hypothermia
• C. Anxiety
• D. Dehydration

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A patient being kept off food and fluids before surgery can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can cause a slight increase in body temperature, which could explain the elevated oral temperature reading of 99.8°F (37.7°C) in this scenario. Infections are more likely to cause higher fevers, hypothermia would present with a lower temperature, and anxiety typically does not directly affect body temperature in this manner.

4. A healthcare professional is caring for a client who is experiencing respiratory distress. Which of the following early manifestations of hypoxemia should the professional recognize?

• A. Confusion
• B. Pale skin
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Hypotension

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pale skin is an early manifestation of hypoxemia due to decreased oxygenation of the blood. The skin may appear pale as the body redirects blood flow to vital organs in response to low oxygen levels. Confusion, bradycardia, and hypotension may occur as hypoxemia worsens, but pale skin is one of the initial signs that healthcare professionals should recognize when assessing a client experiencing respiratory distress.

5. The physician orders a maintenance dose of 5,000 units of subcutaneous heparin (an anticoagulant) daily. Nursing responsibilities for Mrs. Mitchell now include:

• A. Reviewing daily activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time.
• B. Reporting an APTT above 45 seconds to the physician
• C. Assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of frank and occult bleeding
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. When a physician orders a maintenance dose of subcutaneous heparin, nursing responsibilities include reviewing daily activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time to monitor the patient's coagulation status, reporting an APTT above 45 seconds to the physician as it may indicate a risk of bleeding, and assessing the patient for signs and symptoms of frank and occult bleeding, which are potential adverse effects of anticoagulant therapy. Therefore, all the options listed are essential nursing responsibilities when a patient is on subcutaneous heparin therapy.

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