Nursing Elites

1. A woman in her third trimester complains of severe heartburn. What is appropriate teaching by the nurse to help the woman alleviate these symptoms?

• A. Drink small amounts of liquids frequently
• B. Eat the evening meal at least 2-3 hours before bedtime
• C. Take sodium bicarbonate after each meal
• D. Sleep with head propped on several pillows

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During the third trimester, many women experience heartburn due to the pressure of the growing uterus on the stomach. Elevating the head while sleeping can help prevent gastric contents from refluxing back into the esophagus, thus reducing heartburn symptoms. Drinking small amounts of liquids frequently may exacerbate heartburn by increasing stomach distension. Eating the evening meal just before retiring can also worsen heartburn symptoms as lying down shortly after eating can promote reflux. Taking sodium bicarbonate after each meal is not recommended as it can disrupt the body's natural pH balance and lead to other complications.

2. Which assessment finding is of most concern for a 46-year-old woman with acute pancreatitis?

• A. Absent bowel sounds
• B. Abdominal tenderness
• C. Left upper quadrant pain
• D. Palpable abdominal mass

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is a palpable abdominal mass. In a 46-year-old woman with acute pancreatitis, a palpable abdominal mass may indicate the presence of a pancreatic abscess, which requires rapid surgical drainage to prevent sepsis. Absent bowel sounds, abdominal tenderness, and left upper quadrant pain are common symptoms in acute pancreatitis but do not necessarily indicate an immediate need for surgical intervention. Therefore, the presence of a palpable abdominal mass is the most concerning finding in this scenario.

3. A 20-year-old female attending college is found unconscious in her dorm room. She has a fever and a noticeable rash. She has just been admitted to the hospital. Which of the following tests is most likely to be performed first?

• A. Blood sugar check
• B. CT scan
• C. Blood cultures
• D. Arterial blood gases

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most likely test to be performed first in this scenario is blood cultures. Blood cultures are crucial to investigate the fever and rash symptoms in an unconscious patient. This test is used to detect foreign invaders like bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms in the blood, which could indicate a blood infection (bacteremia). A positive blood culture result confirms the presence of bacteria in the blood. A blood sugar check (choice A) may be important but is less likely to be the first test in this context. A CT scan (choice B) and arterial blood gases (choice D) are generally not the initial tests performed to investigate a fever and rash with altered mental status.

4. Which entry in the medical record best meets the requirement for problem-oriented charting?

• A. "A: Pacing and muttering to self. P: Sensory perceptual alteration, related to internal auditory stimulation. I: Given fluphenazine (Prolixin) 2.5 mg at 0900, and went to room to lie down. E: Calmer by 0930. Returned to lounge to watch TV."?
• B. "S: States, 'I feel like I'm ready to blow up.' O: Pacing hall, mumbling to self. A: Auditory hallucinations. P: Offer haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg . I: (Haldol) 2 mg at 0900. E: Returned to lounge at 0930 and quietly watched TV."?
• C. "Agitated behavior. D: Patient muttering to self as though answering an unseen person. A: Given haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg and went to room to lie down. E: Patient calmer. Returned to lounge to watch TV."?
• D. "Pacing hall and muttering to self as though answering an unseen person. haloperidol (Haldol) 2 mg administered at 0900 with calming effect in 30 minutes. Stated, 'I'm no longer bothered by the voices.'"?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Problem-oriented documentation uses the first letter of key words to organize data: S for subjective data, O for objective data, A for assessment, P for plan, I for intervention, and E for evaluation. The correct answer demonstrates problem-oriented charting by following this structure. Choice A, C, and D do not follow the problem-oriented charting format and instead offer examples of different documentation styles such as PIE charting, focus documentation, and narrative documentation, respectively. Therefore, choice B is the best example of problem-oriented charting among the options provided.

5. While auscultating a patient's lungs, the nurse hears low-pitched, bubbling sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs. How should the nurse document this finding?

• A. Inspiratory crackles at the bases
• B. Expiratory wheezes in both lungs
• C. Abnormal lung sounds in the apices of both lungs
• D. Pleural friction rub in the right and left lower lobes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Inspiratory crackles at the bases.' Crackles are low-pitched, bubbling sounds typically heard during inspiration, which aligns with the nurse's finding. Expiratory wheezes are high-pitched sounds and are not consistent with the described auscultation findings. The lower third of both lungs refers to the bases, not the apices, so option C is incorrect. Pleural friction rubs are grating sounds heard during both inspiration and expiration, unlike the described finding of only hearing the sounds during inhalation in the lower third of both lungs.

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