Nursing Elites

1. A nurse manager of a rural clinic is orienting a new employee. Which of the following information should the nurse include as a characteristic of rural health?

• A. Lower rates of maternal morbidity
• B. Reduced incidence of death from motor-vehicle crashes
• C. Increased rates of chronic illness
• D. More frequent dental preventative care visits

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Increased rates of chronic illness.' Rural areas often face challenges such as limited access to healthcare services, healthcare provider shortages, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle choices that contribute to higher rates of chronic illnesses. Maternal morbidity rates are typically higher in rural areas due to limited access to obstetric care. While rural areas may have fewer motor-vehicle crashes compared to urban areas, the severity of crashes is usually higher due to factors like longer emergency response times. Dental care access can also be limited in rural areas, leading to less frequent preventative care visits.

2. A nurse is assessing the skin of an immobilized patient. What will the nurse do?

• A. Use a standardized tool such as the Braden Scale.
• B. Limit the amount of fluid intake.
• C. Have special times for inspection so as not to interrupt routine care.
• D. Assess the skin every 4 hours.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. When assessing the skin of an immobilized patient, it is essential to use a standardized tool such as the Braden Scale to identify patients at high risk for impaired skin integrity. This tool helps in early identification and appropriate intervention. Choice B, limiting fluid intake, is not directly related to skin assessment. Choice C, having special times for inspection, may not ensure timely identification of skin issues. Choice D, assessing the skin every 4 hours, lacks specificity regarding the use of a validated tool for risk assessment.

3. What is the primary goal when caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

• A. Maintain the patient's oxygen saturation above 90%.
• B. Administer bronchodilators as prescribed.
• C. Improve the patient's nutritional intake.
• D. Encourage the patient to limit physical activity.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to maintain the patient's oxygen saturation above 90% when caring for a patient with COPD. In COPD, impaired gas exchange leads to decreased oxygen levels in the blood. By ensuring oxygen saturation remains above 90%, healthcare providers can prevent hypoxia and its complications. Administering bronchodilators as prescribed (Choice B) is an important intervention in managing COPD symptoms, but it is not the primary goal. Improving the patient's nutritional intake (Choice C) and encouraging the patient to limit physical activity (Choice D) are also essential aspects of COPD management, but they are not the primary goal when caring for a patient with this condition.

4. A patient reports feeling dizzy when standing up. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

• A. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
• B. Assist the patient to sit down slowly.
• C. Instruct the patient to use a walker for support.
• D. Teach the patient how to change positions safely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assist the patient to sit down slowly. This intervention is appropriate for a patient experiencing dizziness when standing up, as it helps prevent falls due to orthostatic hypotension. Encouraging deep breaths (Choice A) may not address the underlying cause of dizziness, which is related to postural changes. Instructing the patient to use a walker for support (Choice C) or teaching the patient how to change positions safely (Choice D) are not the most immediate and direct interventions to address the immediate risk of falling when feeling dizzy upon standing.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is in labor and has an external fetal monitor in place. The nurse observes late decelerations in the fetal heart rate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Decrease the client's IV fluids
• B. Reposition the client
• C. Administer oxygen by face mask
• D. Document the findings

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Administering oxygen by face mask is the priority intervention when late decelerations are observed in the fetal heart rate. Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, and administering oxygen helps to improve fetal oxygenation. Repositioning the client may also be necessary to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord, but providing oxygen takes precedence to enhance fetal oxygenation. Decreasing IV fluids may not directly address the underlying issue leading to late decelerations. Documenting the findings is important but should not be the first action taken when managing late decelerations.

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