Nursing Elites

1. During the care of a client with Legionnaire's disease, which finding would require the nurse's immediate attention?

• A. Pleuritic pain on inspiration
• B. Dry mucus membranes in the mouth
• C. A decrease in respiratory rate from 34 to 24
• D. Decrease in chest wall expansion

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A decrease in chest wall expansion suggests that the client may be experiencing a serious complication, such as worsening pneumonia or respiratory failure, requiring immediate medical attention. This finding indicates a potential decrease in lung function, which could lead to respiratory distress. Pleuritic pain on inspiration may be related to the disease process but does not indicate an immediate need for intervention. Dry mucus membranes in the mouth may require attention but are not as critical as a decrease in chest wall expansion. A decrease in respiratory rate could be concerning but is not as urgent as a decrease in chest wall expansion, which directly impacts respiratory function.

2. A client with a fractured femur is in Buck's traction. The nurse should assess for which of the following complications?

• A. Foot drop
• B. Urinary retention
• C. Constipation
• D. Muscle spasms

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Foot drop is a potential complication of prolonged immobility and improper positioning in traction. In Buck's traction, the lower extremity is suspended to immobilize and align the fractured femur. Prolonged suspension of the leg in traction can lead to nerve damage, specifically to the common peroneal nerve, resulting in foot drop. Urinary retention, constipation, and muscle spasms are not directly associated with Buck's traction and a fractured femur.

3. When assessing a newborn infant with low set ears, short palpebral fissures, flat nasal bridge, and an indistinct philtrum, a priority maternal assessment by the nurse should be to ask about

• A. Alcohol use during pregnancy
• B. Usual nutritional intake
• C. Family genetic disorders
• D. Maternal and paternal ages

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Alcohol use during pregnancy. The physical features mentioned are indicative of fetal alcohol syndrome, a condition caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It is crucial for the nurse to inquire about alcohol use as it can help in diagnosing and managing the infant's condition. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they are not directly associated with the physical findings described in the newborn, which specifically point towards a potential history of alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

4. The school RN is assessing a group of middle school students for signs of scoliosis and discovers a female student with noticeable unequal symmetry of the upper and lower back. Which intervention is most important for the RN to implement?

• A. Send the student home
• B. Make a referral to have the scoliosis further evaluated.
• C. Withdraw the student from all physical activities
• D. Tell the student not to carry her backpack on her back

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Referring the student for further evaluation of scoliosis is crucial to confirm the diagnosis and determine the appropriate management plan. Sending the student home (choice A) without proper assessment and intervention is not the best course of action. Withdrawing the student from all physical activities (choice C) is not necessary and may cause unnecessary distress. Instructing the student not to carry her backpack on her back (choice D) does not address the underlying issue of scoliosis and is not the most important intervention at this point.

5. When a nurse from the surgical department is reassigned to the pediatric unit, the charge nurse should recognize that the child at highest risk for cardiac arrest and is the least likely to be assigned to this nurse is which child?

• A. Congenital cardiac defects
• B. An acute febrile illness
• C. Prolonged hypoxemia
• D. Severe multiple trauma

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, 'Prolonged hypoxemia.' Prolonged hypoxemia is a critical condition that requires specialized pediatric care due to the high risk of cardiac arrest. The other choices, such as congenital cardiac defects, acute febrile illness, and severe multiple trauma, may also require attention, but prolonged hypoxemia poses the highest risk for cardiac arrest and demands specialized expertise in managing pediatric patients with this condition.

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