Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare provider is educating a patient on the use of alendronate. Which of the following should be included?

• A. Take it with food
• B. Take it once a week
• C. It can be taken at bedtime
• D. Monitor for increased appetite

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Take it once a week.' Alendronate is typically taken once a week to treat osteoporosis. It should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning with a full glass of water. Choice A is incorrect because alendronate should be taken on an empty stomach, not with food. Choice C is incorrect because alendronate should be taken in the morning, not at bedtime. Choice D is unrelated to alendronate use and not a common side effect associated with this medication.

2. A client has developed a pulmonary embolism. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Prepare the client for a thoracentesis
• C. Elevate the client’s lower extremities
• D. Administer anticoagulant therapy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is the priority intervention for a client with a pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism can lead to impaired gas exchange, causing hypoxemia. Administering oxygen helps to maintain adequate oxygenation levels. Thoracentesis is not indicated for a pulmonary embolism, as it is a procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space, not a treatment for embolism. Elevating the client's lower extremities is not a priority in the management of a pulmonary embolism. Administering anticoagulant therapy is important in the treatment of pulmonary embolism to prevent further clot formation, but it is not the first intervention. Oxygen administration takes precedence to address the immediate oxygenation needs of the client.

3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin. Which of the following should the nurse monitor?

• A. INR levels
• B. APTT levels
• C. Blood glucose levels
• D. Liver function tests

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Heparin therapy requires monitoring of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) to ensure therapeutic levels. APTT reflects the intrinsic pathway of the clotting cascade and is used to assess the effectiveness and safety of heparin therapy. Monitoring INR levels is more relevant for assessing warfarin therapy, not heparin. Blood glucose levels are monitored for clients with diabetes or those on medications affecting glucose levels. Liver function tests are used to assess liver health and are not directly related to monitoring heparin therapy.

4. A nurse is assessing a newborn who was born vaginally with vacuum extractor assistance. The nurse notes swelling over the newborn's head that crosses the suture line. The nurse should identify the swelling as which of the following findings?

• A. Nevus simplex
• B. Caput succedaneum
• C. Cephalohematoma
• D. Erythema toxicum

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Caput succedaneum is the correct answer. It is the swelling of the soft tissues of the head that crosses suture lines, often resulting from pressure during delivery, especially with vacuum extraction. Nevus simplex (Choice A) is a pink or red birthmark that is flat and usually fades on its own. Cephalohematoma (Choice C) is a collection of blood between a baby's skull and the periosteum, often caused by birth trauma. Erythema toxicum (Choice D) is a common rash in newborns that is benign and typically resolves on its own. In this case, the description of swelling over the newborn's head crossing the suture line is characteristic of caput succedaneum, which is a common finding in newborns after vaginal delivery.

5. A client scheduled for an electroencephalogram (EEG) is receiving teaching from a nurse. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. “I should not wash my hair before the procedure.”
• B. “I will be given a sedative 1 hour before the procedure.”
• C. “I should refrain from eating before the procedure.”
• D. “I will be exposed to flashes of light during the procedure.”

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. During an electroencephalogram (EEG), flashes of light or patterns are often used to stimulate the brain and provoke responses, helping to assess brain activity and the potential for seizures. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because washing the hair, receiving a sedative, and refraining from eating are not usually related to EEG procedures and do not reflect understanding of the teaching provided by the nurse.

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