Nursing Elites

1. An older woman has lived alone since the death of her husband 10 years ago, and she has a long list of vague complaints. Which assessment is the priority for the home health nurse to perform?

• A. Assess for feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• B. Determine if the client has unresolved grief.
• C. Determine if there are safety issues.
• D. Ask about the availability of support systems.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The priority assessment for the home health nurse in this scenario is to determine if there are safety issues. The client is an older woman living alone with a long list of vague complaints, indicating several risk factors. Ensuring her safety should be the primary concern. While assessing for feelings of loneliness, isolation, or grief is important, ensuring the client's safety takes precedence due to her vulnerable situation. Although assessing the availability of support systems is essential in a home health assessment, safety issues must be addressed first given the client's profile.

2. The client has a new colostomy. Which client outcome is most important for achievement of long-range goals associated with adjusting to a new colostomy?

• A. Mastery of colostomy care techniques
• B. Readiness to accept an altered body function
• C. Awareness of community resources available
• D. Understanding necessary dietary modifications

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most crucial client outcome for successful adjustment to a new colostomy is the readiness to accept an altered body function. Acceptance of changes in body image and function is essential to facilitate mastery of colostomy care techniques and optimal utilization of community resources. Without readiness to accept the altered body function, the client may not be open to learning and adopting necessary changes, hindering the achievement of long-term goals. Understanding dietary modifications, while important, is secondary to the fundamental acceptance of the altered body function in the process of adjusting to a new colostomy.

3. Identify the type of 'trigger' with the correct 'trigger' that can possibly lead to disturbed behavior.

• A. Emotional: room coldness
• B. Environmental: boredom
• C. Physical: pain
• D. Communication: silence

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Physical pain is a common trigger that can lead to disturbed behavior in individuals, especially when they are unable to communicate their pain effectively. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Room coldness falls under environmental triggers, boredom is associated with emotional triggers, and silence is a communication aspect rather than a direct trigger for disturbed behavior.

4. A 9-year-old boy is told that he must stay in the hospital for at least 2 weeks. The nurse finds him crying and unwilling to talk. What is the priority nursing care at this time?

• A. Assuring him that his illness is not permanent
• B. Distracting him to prevent further embarrassment
• C. Arranging for him to receive tutoring immediately
• D. Providing privacy to allow him to express his feelings

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The priority nursing care for a 9-year-old child who is crying and unwilling to talk in the hospital is to provide privacy to allow him to express his feelings. Children need an opportunity to express their emotions in private, and talking about their feelings can be therapeutic. Assurances about the illness not being permanent may not be the child's primary concern at this moment. Distracting the child could give the impression that crying is wrong. Arranging tutoring does not address the immediate emotional needs of the child.

5. The client prepares to insert a nasogastric tube in a client with hyperemesis who is awake and alert. Which intervention(s) is(are) correct?

• A. Place the client in a high Fowler position.
• B. Assist the client in assuming a left side-lying position.
• C. Measure the tube from the tip of the nose to the xiphoid process.
• D. Assist the client in flexing the neck forward to facilitate tube insertion.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct intervention during nasogastric tube insertion in an awake and alert client is to place them in a high Fowler position (A). Left side-lying position (B) is more suitable for unconscious or obtunded clients. When measuring the tube length, it should be from the tip of the nose to behind the ear, and then from behind the ear to the xiphoid process (C). Assisting the client in flexing the neck forward (D) is appropriate to facilitate tube insertion rather than extending the neck back, which may lead to complications. Proper positioning and measurements are crucial to prevent complications and ensure successful nasogastric tube placement.

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