Nursing Elites

1. A patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication. What should the nurse assess for?

• A. Check for compartment syndrome
• B. Increase the pain medication
• C. Prepare the patient for surgery immediately
• D. Administer a sedative to calm the patient

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correct answer: When a patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment compromises circulation and can lead to tissue damage. It is a surgical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Choice B is incorrect because simply increasing pain medication without identifying the cause of the unrelieved pain may mask symptoms of a serious issue like compartment syndrome. Choice C is incorrect as surgery would only be necessary if compartment syndrome is confirmed. Choice D is incorrect as administering a sedative does not address the underlying issue of unrelieved pain and may delay appropriate treatment.

2. A patient receiving chemotherapy has developed neutropenia. What should be included in the care plan to reduce infection risk?

• A. Monitor temperature daily
• B. Limit visitors
• C. Administer antibiotics prophylactically
• D. Use reverse isolation precautions

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a patient receiving chemotherapy develops neutropenia, the priority is to reduce the risk of infection. Using reverse isolation precautions is crucial in this situation to protect the patient from exposure to pathogens. Monitoring temperature daily (Choice A) is important but is not as effective as isolating the patient. Limiting visitors (Choice B) can help reduce the risk of exposure, but reverse isolation is a more stringent measure. Administering antibiotics prophylactically (Choice C) is not recommended unless there is a specific indication, as it can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

3. A nurse is caring for a patient postoperatively after a thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings should be reported immediately?

• A. Hoarseness
• B. Difficulty swallowing
• C. Numbness in the fingers
• D. Tingling around the mouth

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Tingling around the mouth should be reported immediately as it may indicate hypocalcemia, a serious complication resulting from accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy. Hoarseness and difficulty swallowing are common post-thyroidectomy symptoms related to the surgery itself and the manipulation of the vocal cords and nearby structures. Numbness in the fingers is not typically associated with immediate serious complications of a thyroidectomy.

4. Which question is essential during screening for alcohol use disorder?

• A. What is your current employment status?
• B. Have you experienced any blackouts or loss of consciousness?
• C. Have you been sleeping well over the past month?
• D. Do you have a family history of substance use?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The essential question during screening for alcohol use disorder is asking about blackouts or loss of consciousness, which can be indicative of excessive drinking and related to alcohol use disorder. Choices A, C, and D are not as directly related to screening for alcohol use disorder. Employment status (Choice A) is not a primary question in alcohol use disorder screening. Sleep quality (Choice C) and family history of substance use (Choice D) may be relevant but are not as crucial as inquiring about blackouts or loss of consciousness.

5. How should a healthcare professional respond to a patient experiencing hypoglycemia?

• A. Rechecking the blood glucose level in 15 minutes
• B. Encouraging the patient to eat a high-protein snack
• C. Administering 15g of fast-acting carbohydrates
• D. Administering glucagon if the patient is unconscious

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct response to a patient experiencing hypoglycemia is to administer 15g of fast-acting carbohydrates. This helps quickly increase the blood glucose levels in the patient, addressing the low blood sugar. Rechecking the blood glucose level in 15 minutes (Choice A) may delay necessary intervention, encouraging a high-protein snack (Choice B) is not recommended as it does not rapidly increase blood sugar levels, and administering glucagon if the patient is unconscious (Choice D) is typically done in severe cases of hypoglycemia when the patient is unable to eat or drink.

Similar Questions