Nursing Elites

1. A patient is being treated in the Neurology Unit for Meningitis. Which of these is a priority assessment for the nurse to make?

• A. Assess the patient for nuchal rigidity
• B. Determine the patient's past exposure to infectious organisms
• C. Check the patient's WBC lab values
• D. Monitor for increased lethargy and drowsiness

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Monitoring for increased lethargy and drowsiness is crucial as these symptoms indicate a decreased level of consciousness, which is the cardinal sign of increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP). Elevated ICP can lead to serious complications and requires immediate intervention. Assessing for nuchal rigidity is important in suspected cases of meningitis but monitoring lethargy and drowsiness takes precedence due to its direct correlation with ICP. Determining past exposure to infectious organisms and checking WBC lab values are important for diagnosing and treating meningitis but do not directly address the immediate concern of increased ICP.

2. An 18-month-old child is being discharged after surgical repair of hypospadias. Which postoperative nursing care measure should the nurse stress to the parents as they prepare to take their child home?

• A. Leave the diapers on to protect the surgical site.
• B. Avoid tub baths until the stent has been removed.
• C. Delay toilet training until the child has fully recovered.
• D. Encourage adequate fluid intake to maintain hydration.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After surgical repair of hypospadias, the nurse should stress to the parents to avoid giving the child a tub bath until the stent has been removed. This precaution helps prevent infection and ensures proper healing of the surgical site. Leaving diapers on is important to protect the surgical site from contamination. Delaying toilet training is recommended to reduce stress on the child during the recovery period. Encouraging adequate fluid intake is crucial to maintain hydration and support the healing process.

3. Which food should the assistive personnel be instructed to remove from the child's food tray based on the prescribed treatment for nephrotic syndrome?

• A. Pickle
• B. Wheat toast
• C. Baked chicken
• D. Steamed vegetables

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In nephrotic syndrome, a no-added-salt diet is recommended to manage the condition. High-sodium foods like pickles should be avoided as they can exacerbate fluid retention and swelling. Wheat toast, baked chicken, and steamed vegetables are generally suitable for individuals with nephrotic syndrome as they are low in sodium and protein, which are important considerations for this condition. Therefore, the correct choice is to remove the pickles from the child's food tray.

4. A patient who has a right-sided chest tube following a thoracotomy has continuous bubbling in the suction-control chamber of the collection device. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

• A. Document the presence of continuous bubbling.
• B. Notify the surgeon of a possible pneumothorax.
• C. Take no further action with the collection device.
• D. Adjust the dial on the wall regulator to decrease suction.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Continuous bubbling in the suction-control chamber of the chest tube collection device is an expected finding and indicates that the suction control chamber is connected to suction. It does not necessarily indicate a large air leak, which would be detected in the water-seal chamber. There is no evidence to suggest a pneumothorax based solely on continuous bubbling in the suction-control chamber. Adjusting the suction level by changing the wall regulator setting is not indicated in this situation, as the amount of suction applied is primarily regulated by the water level in the water-seal chamber and not by the vacuum source. Therefore, the most appropriate action in this scenario is for the nurse to take no further action with the collection device.

5. In a pediatric clinic, a nurse is assessing a child recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Which of the following later findings of this disease would the nurse not expect to see at this time?

• A. Positive sweat test
• B. Bulky greasy stools
• C. Moist, productive cough
• D. Meconium ileus

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a child newly diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF), noisy respirations and a dry, non-productive cough are typically the first respiratory signs to appear. The other options, including a positive sweat test, bulky greasy stools, and meconium ileus, are among the earliest findings of CF. CF is a genetic condition that affects the production of mucus, sweat, saliva, and digestive juices. Due to a defective gene, these secretions become thick and sticky instead of thin and slippery, leading to blockages in various passageways, especially in the pancreas and lungs. Respiratory failure is a severe consequence of CF, making it crucial to monitor respiratory symptoms closely in affected individuals. Therefore, a moist, productive cough would not be an expected finding in a newly diagnosed child with CF.

Similar Questions