Nursing Elites

1. After a symptom is recognized, the first effort at treatment is often self-treatment. Which of the following statements is true about self-treatment?

• A. "Not recognized as valuable by most health care providers."?
• B. "Usually ineffective and may delay more effective treatment."?
• C. "Always less expensive than biomedical alternatives."?
• D. "Influenced by the accessibility of over-the-counter medicines."?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After a symptom is identified, the first effort at treatment is often self-treatment. The availability of over-the-counter medications, the relatively high literacy level of Americans, and the influence of the internet and mass media in communicating health-related information to the general population have contributed to the high percentage of cases of self-treatment. Health care providers are recognizing the value of a wide variety of alternative, complementary, and traditional interventions. Many self-treatments, such as over-the-counter medications, are effective. Self-treatment is not always less expensive. Choice A is incorrect as health care providers are recognizing the value of self-treatment. Choice B is incorrect because self-treatment can be effective in many cases. Choice C is incorrect as self-treatment is not always less expensive; it depends on the specific treatment being used.

2. When assessing the force or strength of a pulse, what would the nurse recall about the pulse?

• A. Is a reflection of the heart's stroke volume
• B. Typically recorded on a 0- to 3-point scale
• C. Demonstrates elasticity of the blood vessel wall
• D. Reflects the blood volume in the arteries during diastole

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing the force or strength of a pulse, the nurse should recall that it is a reflection of the heart's stroke volume. The heart pumps an amount of blood (the stroke volume) into the aorta, causing arterial walls to flare and generate a pressure wave felt as the pulse in the periphery. The force of the pulse is typically recorded on a 0- to 3-point scale, not a 0- to 2-point scale. The force of the pulse does not demonstrate the elasticity of blood vessel walls or reflect the blood volume in the arteries during diastole. Therefore, choices B, C, and D are incorrect.

3. A urine pregnancy test:

• A. May be negative even if a blood pregnancy test is positive.
• B. Is positive only during the first trimester of pregnancy.
• C. Will be negative if the amount of LH isn't enough to meet or exceed the sensitivity of the testing device.
• D. All of the above.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A urine pregnancy test detects HCG in a pregnant woman's urine. Blood levels of HCG are usually higher and register earlier than HCG levels in the urine. Choice A is correct because urine pregnancy tests may be negative even if a blood pregnancy test is positive due to the differences in HCG levels in blood and urine. Choice B is incorrect because a urine pregnancy test can be positive throughout pregnancy, not just in the first trimester. Choice C is incorrect because LH (luteinizing hormone) is not the hormone detected in a pregnancy test; it is HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Choice D is incorrect because not all the statements provided are true.

4. When assessing the pulse of a 6-year-old patient, the nurse notices that the heart rate varies with the respiratory cycle, speeding up at the peak of inspiration and slowing to normal with expiration. What action would the nurse take next?

• A. Notify the physician.
• B. Record this finding as normal.
• C. Check the child's blood pressure and note any variation with respiration.
• D. Document that this child has bradycardia and continue with the assessment.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take next is to record this finding as normal. Sinus dysrhythmia, characterized by heart rate variation with the respiratory cycle, is commonly found in children and young adults. The heart rate speeds up at the peak of inspiration and slows to normal with expiration. This phenomenon is a normal variant and does not require any intervention. There is no need to notify the physician as this finding is within the expected range for this age group. Checking the child's blood pressure for variations with respiration or documenting the child as having bradycardia would not be appropriate in this case, as sinus dysrhythmia is a normal physiological response.

5. During a class on the aspects of culture, the instructor shares that culture has four basic characteristics. Which statement correctly reflects one of the characteristics of culture?

• A. Static and unchanging
• B. Members sharing similar physical characteristics
• C. Members sharing a common geographic origin and religion
• D. Adapted to specific conditions related to environmental and technical factors

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Culture has four basic characteristics, one of which is that it is adapted to specific conditions related to environmental and technical factors and to the availability of natural resources. The other three characteristics are: (1) learned from birth through the processes of language acquisition and socialization; (2) shared by all members of the cultural group; and (3) dynamic and ever-changing. Culture is not static and unchanging but is dynamic and ever-changing. Members of a culture do not necessarily share similar physical characteristics; that refers to race. Similarly, members of a culture do not necessarily share a common geographic origin and religion; that refers to ethnicity.

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