Nursing Elites

1. A patient with no known allergies is to receive penicillin every 6 hours. When administering the medication, the nurse observes a fine rash on the patient’s skin. The most appropriate nursing action would be to:

• A. Withhold the medication and notify the physician
• B. Administer the medication and notify the physician
• C. Administer the medication with an antihistamine
• D. Apply corn starch soaks to the rash

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the appearance of a rash after administering penicillin, even in a patient with no known allergies, is concerning for a potential allergic reaction. The appropriate action for the nurse to take is to withhold the medication and notify the physician. This precaution is necessary to prevent further administration of a medication that may be causing an adverse reaction, as allergic reactions can range from mild to severe and require immediate intervention.

2. A new head nurse on a unit is distressed about the poor staffing on the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. What should she do?

• A. Complain to her fellow nurses
• B. Wait until she knows more about the unit
• C. Discuss the problem with her supervisor
• D. Inform the staff that they must volunteer to rotate

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the new head nurse should discuss the problem with her supervisor. This is the most appropriate action as the supervisor is in a position to address staffing concerns effectively and make necessary changes. Complaining to fellow nurses may not lead to a solution, waiting may exacerbate the issue, and demanding staff rotation without proper discussion is not a collaborative approach to resolving the problem.

3. While caring for a client in a clinic, a healthcare professional learns that the client woke up not recognizing their partner, surroundings, has chills, and chest pain worsening upon inspiration. What should be the healthcare professional's priority action?

• A. Obtain baseline vital signs and oxygen saturation.
• B. Obtain a sputum culture.
• C. Obtain a complete history from the client.
• D. Provide a pneumococcal vaccine.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The priority action for the healthcare professional is to obtain the client's baseline vital signs and oxygen saturation. This will provide essential information on the client's current physiological status and help guide further assessment and intervention. Assessing the vital signs and oxygen saturation can help identify any immediate concerns like hypoxia or sepsis, which require prompt attention. While obtaining a complete history and considering a pneumococcal vaccine may be important in the overall care of the client, assessing the vital signs and oxygen saturation takes precedence to address the client's immediate physiological needs.

4. When providing mouth care to an unconscious client, what is the best position for the client?

• A. Fowler’s position
• B. Side-lying
• C. Supine
• D. Trendelenburg

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The best position for an unconscious client when providing mouth care is the side-lying position. This position helps prevent aspiration by allowing fluids to drain out of the mouth easily, reducing the risk of choking or aspiration pneumonia. Placing the client in a side-lying position also promotes comfort and safety during the procedure. The other options are not ideal for mouth care in an unconscious client: Fowler’s position may increase the risk of aspiration, the supine position can lead to aspiration as well, and Trendelenburg position is not recommended due to potential adverse effects on blood circulation and increased intracranial pressure.

5. Which of the following clusters of data belong to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

• A. Love and belonging
• B. Physiological needs
• C. Self-actualization
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology that categorizes human needs into five levels: physiological needs, safety needs, love and belongingness, esteem needs, and self-actualization. 'Love and belonging' corresponds to the third level, 'Physiological needs' to the first level, and 'Self-actualization' to the highest level. Therefore, all the clusters listed in the choices are part of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Selecting 'All of the above' (option D) is the correct answer as it includes all the clusters associated with Maslow's theory.

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