Nursing Elites

1. When providing endotracheal suctioning, for how long should the nurse suction the endotracheal tube of an intubated client on a ventilator at a time?

• A. Five seconds or less
• B. Ten seconds or less
• C. At least 30 seconds
• D. No longer than 60 seconds

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When providing endotracheal suctioning, the nurse should suction for no longer than ten seconds at a time. Suctioning for longer than ten seconds may cause hypoxia or bronchospasm. Extended suctioning may also place the client at risk of injury to the bronchial and tracheal structures. Choices C and D suggest prolonged suctioning durations that can lead to adverse effects on the client. Choice A, suctioning for five seconds or less, may not be adequate to clear secretions effectively, making choice B the most appropriate duration for safe and efficient suctioning in this scenario.

2. Which contraindication should be assessed for prior to administering an immunization to a child?

• A. Mild cold symptoms
• B. Chronic asthma
• C. Depressed immune system
• D. Allergy to eggs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Before administering immunizations to children, it is crucial to assess for contraindications. A depressed immune system, such as that seen in conditions like HIV or due to chemotherapy, is a significant contraindication. Immunizations may not be safe or effective in children with compromised immune systems. Mild cold symptoms, although not ideal, are not a contraindication for routine immunizations. Chronic asthma, while a consideration, is not a direct contraindication for routine immunizations. Allergy to eggs is a contraindication for specific vaccines, such as influenza vaccine that is grown in eggs, but it is not a contraindication for all immunizations.

3. In a 68-year-old man, a gradual loss of hearing is known as _____________.

• A. presbycusis
• B. xerostomia
• C. myopia
• D. presbyopia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'presbycusis.' Presbycusis is the age-related gradual loss of hearing ability, commonly seen in the elderly population. Xerostomia refers to dry mouth, myopia is nearsightedness, and presbyopia is the age-related loss of the eye's ability to focus on close objects. Given Mr. Roberts' age and symptom of gradual hearing loss, presbycusis is the most likely diagnosis. Xerostomia, myopia, and presbyopia do not match the sensory change described in the question, making them incorrect choices.

4. When should you wear gloves?

• A. preparing infant formula for a newborn baby
• B. transferring breast milk into a baby bottle
• C. knocking on a patient's door
• D. opening a patient's door

Correct answer: B

Rationale: You must wear gloves when transferring breast milk into a baby bottle because breast milk is considered a bodily fluid. It is essential to avoid direct contact to prevent contamination. When preparing infant formula, gloves are not required as formula is not a bodily fluid. Knocking on or opening a patient's door does not involve direct contact with bodily fluids, so gloves are unnecessary in those situations.

5. While percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound. What should the nurse do?

• A. Consider this a normal finding
• B. Palpate this area for an underlying mass
• C. Reposition the hands and attempt to percuss in this area again
• D. Consider this finding as abnormal and refer the patient for additional treatment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When percussing over relatively dense organs, such as the liver or spleen, a dull sound is a normal finding due to the organ's density. This occurs because the sound waves produced by tapping on the organ travel through the dense tissue, resulting in a dull sound. Therefore, the correct action for the nurse in this scenario is to consider a dull sound over the liver as a normal finding. Palpating for an underlying mass (Choice B) is not indicated based on the percussion finding alone. Repositioning the hands and repeating the percussion (Choice C) may not change the dull sound over the liver. Referring the patient for additional treatment (Choice D) without understanding the normal percussion findings over the liver would be premature. Thus, the most appropriate action is to interpret the dull sound as a normal finding.

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