Nursing Elites

1. Which suggestion is most appropriate to increase calorie intake for a patient with stomach cancer, aiming to prevent weight loss and wasting?

• A. Replace whole fat milk with skim milk or water
• B. Avoid peanut butter and other nuts
• C. Choose high-fat meat instead of lean meat
• D. Limit alcohol intake to two drinks per day

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Choose high-fat meat instead of lean meat. High-fat meats are more calorie-dense than lean meats, which makes them a good choice for increasing calorie intake. This is crucial for patients with stomach cancer who want to avoid weight loss and wasting. Choice A is incorrect because skim milk or water contains fewer calories than whole fat milk. Choice B is also incorrect because peanut butter and nuts are high in calories and therefore should not be avoided when trying to increase calorie intake. Finally, choice D is not a good suggestion to increase calorie intake as alcohol does not provide the necessary nutrients needed for a balanced diet. In fact, excessive alcohol can harm the liver and other organs, and it's not a reliable source of calories.

2. The nurse is working with a patient who recently had a stroke. The patient frequently chokes and coughs when eating and is having difficulty feeding herself. What is the best way to ensure adequate nutrition?

• A. to have an aide feed her at each meal
• B. to ask a family member to assist during meals
• C. to provide tube feedings for the patient
• D. to initiate TPN for the patient

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best way to ensure adequate nutrition for a stroke patient who frequently chokes and coughs when eating and has difficulty feeding herself is to provide tube feedings. Tube feedings are a safe and effective method to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach or intestines, bypassing the swallowing mechanism, reducing the risk of aspiration. Having an aide feed her each meal (choice A) may not address the underlying issue of swallowing difficulty and aspiration risk. Asking a family member to be present at each meal (choice B) does not provide a definitive solution to the patient's nutritional needs. Placing the patient on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (choice D) is a more invasive and typically reserved for patients who cannot tolerate enteral feedings or have non-functional gastrointestinal tracts.

3. In monitoring the patient in PACU, the nurse correctly identifies that checking the patient's vital signs is done every:

• A. 1 hour
• B. 5 minutes
• C. 15 minutes
• D. 30 minutes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: A - Vital signs monitoring in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit) is typically done every hour to closely monitor the patient's condition during the immediate postoperative period. This frequency allows the nurse to promptly identify any changes in the patient's vital signs and intervene as necessary. Choice B (5 minutes) is too frequent for routine vital signs monitoring in the PACU and may not allow for a comprehensive assessment of the patient's stability. Choice C (15 minutes) and Choice D (30 minutes) are also not in line with the standard practice of vital signs monitoring in the PACU, which is typically hourly.

4. The purpose of chest percussion and vibration is to loosen secretions in the lungs. The difference between the procedures is:

• A. Percussion uses only one hand, while vibration uses both hands
• B. Percussion delivers cushioned blows to the chest with cupped palms, while vibration gently shakes secretions loose
• C. In both percussion and vibration, the hands are not on top of each other, and hand action is not in tune with the client's breath
• D. Percussion slaps the chest to loosen secretions, while vibration shakes the secretions along with the inhalation

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Chest percussion involves the use of rhythmic tapping to dislodge mucus from the lungs, facilitating its movement toward the larger airways where it can be expelled. This technique is particularly important in conditions where mucus retention is a significant risk factor for infection. The key difference between chest percussion and vibration is that percussion involves slapping the chest to loosen secretions, while vibration involves shaking the secretions along with the inhalation, aiding in moving the loosened secretions upwards for easier removal. Choices A, B, and C do not accurately describe the main difference between chest percussion and vibration, making them incorrect.

5. After bronchoscopy, the nurse's priority is to check which of the following before feeding?

• A. Gag reflex
• B. Wearing off of anesthesia
• C. Swallowing reflex
• D. Peristalsis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: After a bronchoscopy procedure, the nurse's priority is to check the patient's gag reflex before allowing them to eat to prevent aspiration. The gag reflex helps protect the airway by triggering a cough or gag response if something touches the back of the throat. This is crucial to ensure that the patient can protect their airway and prevent food or fluids from entering the lungs, especially when the throat may be sensitive or compromised post-bronchoscopy. Checking for the wearing off of anesthesia, swallowing reflex, or peristalsis are important assessments but not the immediate priority before feeding in this context.

Similar Questions