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. What are the common side effects of opioid analgesics, and how should they be managed?

• A. Drowsiness and dizziness, ensuring safety precautions
• B. Respiratory depression, ensuring adequate ventilation
• C. Constipation and nausea, managed with stool softeners
• D. Nausea and vomiting, managing with antiemetics

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Common side effects of opioid analgesics include drowsiness and dizziness. These side effects can impair a person's ability to operate machinery or drive safely. To manage these side effects, it is essential to advise patients to avoid activities that require alertness until they know how the medication affects them. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because respiratory depression, constipation, and nausea are also common side effects of opioids, but they are not the primary side effects being asked for in this question.

3. A nurse suspects a colleague of diverting narcotics. What is the nurse's first course of action?

• A. Confront the colleague directly about the suspicion.
• B. Report the suspicion to the nurse manager.
• C. Ignore the situation unless there is clear evidence.
• D. Keep a record of the colleague's actions for future reference.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first course of action for a nurse suspecting a colleague of diverting narcotics is to report the suspicion to the nurse manager. Confronting the colleague directly may not be safe and could compromise the investigation. Ignoring the situation is not appropriate as it can pose risks to patient safety. Keeping a record of the colleague's actions is not the primary action to take when drug diversion is suspected; reporting to the nurse manager is crucial for proper investigation and ensuring patient safety.

4. What are the important considerations when administering blood products to a patient?

• A. Ensuring proper documentation of the transfusion
• B. Verifying the patient's identity before administration
• C. Monitoring for allergic reactions or transfusion reactions
• D. Monitoring the patient's vital signs during transfusion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying the patient's identity before administration is a critical step to ensure that the correct blood product is given to the right patient, thereby preventing transfusion errors. While ensuring proper documentation of the transfusion (choice A) is important for record-keeping, verifying patient identity (choice B) directly addresses the risk of administering blood to the wrong patient. Monitoring for allergic reactions or transfusion reactions (choice C) and monitoring the patient's vital signs during transfusion (choice D) are also essential considerations during blood product administration, but verifying patient identity takes precedence to prevent potentially life-threatening errors.

5. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report on a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?

• A. A client who has urolithiasis and reports severe ankle pain extending toward the abdomen
• B. A client who has acute cholecystitis and reports abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder
• C. A client who has had a total knee arthroplasty, is 1 day postoperative, and reports a pain level of 8 on a 0 to 10 pain scale
• D. A client who has a fractured femur and reports sudden sharp chest pain

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a client with a fractured femur and sudden chest pain may be experiencing a pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate assessment. Choice A is incorrect because although severe pain is present, it is more indicative of musculoskeletal issues related to urolithiasis rather than a life-threatening condition. Choice B, related to acute cholecystitis, is less urgent than choice D as the pain radiating to the right shoulder is a common symptom but does not indicate an immediate life-threatening situation. Choice C, regarding a client post-total knee arthroplasty with a pain level of 8, is important but not as urgent as a potential pulmonary embolism in choice D.

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