Nursing Elites

1. A nursing assistant who has been employed in the long-term care center for 8 weeks is consistently taking extended lunch breaks. The nursing assistant's behavior has caused problems with client care during lunch hours. What is the appropriate way for the nurse to deal with this situation?

• A. Ignoring the situation
• B. Documenting the problem in the nursing assistant's personnel file
• C. Asking other staff members to cover for the nursing assistant
• D. Meeting with the nursing assistant to discuss the behavior and initiate problem-solving measures

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Taking extended lunch breaks is an unacceptable behavior, especially when it affects client care. The appropriate way for the nurse to deal with this situation is to meet with the nursing assistant to discuss the behavior and initiate problem-solving measures. This direct approach allows for open communication and the opportunity to address the issue effectively. Ignoring the situation (Choice A), asking other staff members to cover (Choice C), or documenting the problem in the nursing assistant's personnel file (Choice B) are not effective solutions. Ignoring the behavior does not address the issue, asking others to cover may not solve the problem at its root, and documenting the problem should come after attempting to resolve the issue through communication and problem-solving first.

2. Ms. Petty is having difficulty falling asleep. Which of the following measures promote sleep?

• A. exercising vigorously for 20 minutes each night starting at 9:30 p.m.
• B. taking a cool shower and drinking a hot cup of tea
• C. watching TV nightly until midnight
• D. getting a back rub and drinking a glass of warm milk

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Getting a back rub and drinking a glass of warm milk are appropriate measures to promote sleep as they can help relax the body and induce sleepiness. Exercising vigorously, as suggested in choice A, can be counterproductive as it stimulates the body rather than relaxing it, making it harder to fall asleep. Choice B, taking a cool shower and drinking a hot cup of tea, may also increase alertness due to the temperature changes and the caffeine in tea, which can interfere with falling asleep. Watching TV until midnight, as in choice C, exposes the individual to blue light and mental stimulation, making it harder to fall asleep. Therefore, choice D is the best option to promote sleep in this scenario.

3. A nurse who recently learned she is pregnant has just received client assignments for the day. Which client assignment should the nurse question as being inappropriate?

• A. A client with metastatic cancer who is receiving a continuous infusion of intravenous morphine sulfate
• B. A client with a solid-sealed cervical radiation implant
• C. A client with diarrhea for whom enteric precautions are in effect
• D. A client for whom contact precautions have been implemented and who requires frequent wound irrigations

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is a client with a solid-sealed cervical radiation implant. Brachytherapy involves the implantation of a sealed radiation source within the targeted tumor tissue. A client with such an implant emits radiation as long as it is in place. Pregnant nurses should not care for clients with solid-sealed radiation implants due to the potential radiation exposure risk to the fetus. Clients under enteric precautions due to diarrhea, receiving a continuous infusion of intravenous morphine sulfate for cancer pain, or requiring contact precautions and frequent wound irrigations do not pose a risk to pregnant nurses and are appropriate assignments for them. Therefore, the nurse should question the assignment involving the client with the solid-sealed cervical radiation implant as it poses a risk to the fetus.

4. The nurse is preparing to administer the 9 am dose of IV antibiotics when she notes the IVAC cord is frayed with wiring visible. What action should be her priority for this client?

• A. Notify maintenance to come and check the pump immediately.
• B. Continue with the administration of the antibiotic and fill out an equipment maintenance request.
• C. Immediately discontinue the use of this IVAC pump and obtain a replacement.
• D. Tag the equipment for maintenance.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action is to immediately discontinue the use of the IVAC pump and obtain a replacement because the frayed cord poses a safety risk to the client. Continuing to use the pump with visible wiring could lead to electric shock or other serious harm to the client. Notifying maintenance to come and check the pump immediately (Choice A) may cause unnecessary delays in ensuring the client's safety. Continuing with the administration of the antibiotic and filling out an equipment maintenance request (Choice B) is unsafe as it ignores the immediate danger. Tagging the equipment for maintenance (Choice D) does not address the urgent need to protect the client from harm.

5. Which of the following tests is commonly performed on newborns with jaundice?

• A. blood urea nitrogen
• B. magnesium
• C. bilirubin
• D. prolactin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: bilirubin. A high bilirubin level is found in newborns with hepatic immaturity, leading to jaundice. Testing bilirubin levels is crucial in diagnosing and monitoring jaundice in newborns. Choices A, B, and D (blood urea nitrogen, magnesium, and prolactin) are not commonly performed tests for evaluating jaundice in newborns. Blood urea nitrogen is a measure of kidney function, magnesium levels are usually checked in metabolic disorders, and prolactin is a hormone related to lactation, none of which are directly relevant to assessing jaundice in newborns.

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