Nursing Elites

1. What causes an older female client's hair to turn gray?

• A. ''A loss of melanin occurs in the normal aging process.''
• B. ''The number of sweat glands and blood vessels decreases in the normal aging process.''
• C. ''The skin on the scalp becomes thin, causing moisture to escape.''
• D. ''It is caused by hereditary factors.''

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'A loss of melanin occurs in the normal aging process.' Graying hair in older adults is primarily due to a decrease in the number of melanocytes responsible for providing pigment and hair color. This reduction in melanin production leads to gray hair. The other choices are incorrect. While it is true that the skin becomes thinner with aging and the number of sweat glands and blood vessels decreases, these changes are not directly related to graying hair. Additionally, hereditary factors can influence when graying starts, but they do not cause the graying of hair itself.

2. During a report from an ER nurse about a client, the nurse identifies a statement that requires additional follow-up. Which of the following statements needs further clarification?

• A. "The client said they have been taking aspirin, but I'm not sure for how long or how much."?
• B. "The client frequently takes antacids, but they have not taken any in the last three days."?
• C. "The client stopped taking ibuprofen after developing gastric ulcers."?
• D. "The client takes Antabuse and has stopped using mouthwash."?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer requires further follow-up as the nurse needs to know the duration and dosage of aspirin since it can impact the patient's bleeding risk. Choice B does not require immediate follow-up as not taking antacids for three days is not critical. Choice C indicates a necessary decision made by the client to stop ibuprofen after developing gastric ulcers, hence no immediate follow-up is needed. Choice D provides important information, but the priority is to address the lack of specificity regarding the client's aspirin use, which is crucial for assessing bleeding risk and potential interactions.

3. When meeting nurses for the first time, a new nurse manager makes eye contact, smiles, initiates conversation about their previous work experience, and encourages active participation. This behavior is an example of

• A. aggressiveness
• B. passive aggressiveness
• C. passiveness
• D. assertiveness

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse manager is demonstrating assertive behavior by confidently engaging with the nurses through eye contact, smiling, and encouraging participation. This behavior shows a balance between expressing her own opinions and respecting others. Aggressive behavior would involve dominating or embarrassing others, while passive behavior is characterized by being timid or nervous. Passive-aggressive behavior is indirect and manipulative, which is not demonstrated in this scenario.

4. A nurse is caring for an older client who has a bronchopulmonary infection. The nurse monitors the client's ability to maintain a patent airway because of which factor involved in the normal aging process?

• A. Increased respiratory system compliance
• B. Decreased number of alveoli and increased function of those remaining
• C. Decreased older client's ability to clear secretions
• D. Increased production of surfactant

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Decreased older client's ability to clear secretions.' Respiratory changes related to the normal aging process decrease an older adult's ability to clear secretions and protect the airway. In healthy older adults, the number of alveoli does not change significantly; their structure, however, is altered. Respiratory system compliance decreases with advancing age because of a progressive loss of elastic recoil of the lung parenchyma and conducting airways, and reduced elastic recoil of the lung and opposing forces of the chest wall. Production of surfactant in the lung does not usually decrease with aging, nor does it increase. However, the production of alveolar cells responsible for surfactant production is diminished. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Choice A is incorrect because respiratory system compliance decreases with aging. Choice B is incorrect as the number of alveoli does not significantly decrease in healthy older adults. Choice D is incorrect as the production of surfactant does not usually decrease with aging.

5. A nurse is preparing to assess the fetal heart rate (FHR) of a client who is 14 weeks pregnant. Which piece of equipment does the nurse use to assess the FHR?

• A. Stethoscope
• B. Doppler transducer
• C. Fetoscope
• D. Pulse oximetry on the client and a fetoscope

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To assess the fetal heart rate of a client who is 14 weeks pregnant, the nurse should use a Doppler transducer. Fetal heart sounds can be heard with a fetoscope by 20 weeks of gestation. The Doppler transducer amplifies fetal heart sounds so that they are audible by 10 to 12 weeks of gestation, making it the most appropriate choice for this scenario. Fetal heart sounds cannot be heard with a stethoscope. Pulse oximetry is not used to auscultate fetal heart sounds, so it is an incorrect choice in this context.

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