Nursing Elites

1. A nurse observes an assistive personnel (AP) providing care to a child who is in skeletal traction. Which of the following actions requires intervention?

• A. Providing a high-protein snack
• B. Assisting the child to reposition
• C. Placing weights on the child’s bed
• D. Massaging pressure points

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Placing weights on the child's bed can alter the traction, which must remain constant to be effective. This action requires immediate intervention to prevent harm. Providing a high-protein snack (Choice A) is appropriate for the child's nutritional needs. Assisting the child to reposition (Choice B) helps prevent complications such as pressure ulcers. Massaging pressure points (Choice D) can help promote circulation and prevent skin breakdown. However, altering the traction by placing weights on the bed can be detrimental to the child's condition and must be corrected promptly.

2. A nurse is assessing a newborn whose mother had gestational diabetes. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of hypoglycemia?

• A. Hypertonia
• B. Jitteriness
• C. Acrocyanosis
• D. Generalized petechiae

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Jitteriness is a common sign of hypoglycemia in newborns. Other signs may include irritability, poor feeding, and lethargy. Choice A, Hypertonia, is not typically associated with hypoglycemia but rather with conditions like hypocalcemia. Acrocyanosis (Choice C) is a benign condition characterized by peripheral cyanosis and is not directly linked to hypoglycemia. Generalized petechiae (Choice D) are tiny red or purple spots on the skin due to bleeding and are not specific to hypoglycemia.

3. A client is receiving oxytocin to augment labor. The contractions are occurring every 45 seconds, and the fetal heart rate is 170-180 beats/min. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Increase the oxytocin infusion
• B. Decrease the oxytocin infusion
• C. Discontinue the oxytocin infusion
• D. Maintain the oxytocin infusion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When contractions occur every 45 seconds with a high fetal heart rate, it indicates uterine hyperstimulation and fetal distress. In this situation, the oxytocin infusion should be discontinued immediately to prevent further complications. Increasing or maintaining the infusion would worsen the hyperstimulation and distress. Decreasing the infusion may not be sufficient to address the current situation and could still lead to complications.

4. Four clients present to the emergency department. The nurse should plan to see which of the following clients first?

• A. A 6-year-old client with a dislocated shoulder
• B. A 26-year-old client with sickle cell disease and severe joint pain
• C. A 76-year-old client who is confused, febrile, and has foul-smelling urine
• D. A 50-year-old client who has slurred speech and reports a headache

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. The client with slurred speech and a headache may be experiencing a stroke, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention to prevent irreversible brain damage. While each client requires prompt assessment and care, the priority is to address potentially life-threatening conditions first. Choices A, B, and C, although important, do not present with symptoms as critical as those of a possible stroke, which necessitates urgent intervention.

5. A nurse is preparing to administer a unit of packed RBCs to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer an antihistamine prior to transfusion.
• B. Check the client’s vital signs.
• C. Verify the client’s identification with another nurse.
• D. Prime the IV tubing with normal saline.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct first action the nurse should take when preparing to administer packed RBCs to a client is to verify the client’s identification with another nurse. This is crucial to ensure that the correct blood product is administered to the correct client, minimizing the risk of a transfusion reaction. Administering an antihistamine prior to transfusion (Choice A) is not the first priority and is not a standard practice. While checking the client’s vital signs (Choice B) is important, verifying the client’s identification takes precedence to prevent a critical error. Priming the IV tubing with normal saline (Choice D) is a necessary step in the process but should occur after verifying the client's identity.

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