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 presents at a community-based clinic with complaints of shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, and nausea. During the assessment, the nurse learns that the client is a migrant worker who often uses a gasoline-powered pressure washer to clean equipment and farm buildings. Which type of poisoning is the most likely etiology of this client's symptoms?

• A. asbestos
• B. silica dust
• C. histoplasmosis
• D. carbon monoxide

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The client's symptoms of shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, and nausea are indicative of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can result from exposure to gasoline-powered equipment like pressure washers. Asbestos (Choice A) exposure would typically present with respiratory issues and cancer but not the rapid onset of symptoms described. Silica dust (Choice B) exposure is associated with respiratory conditions like silicosis, not the multisystem symptoms in the scenario. Histoplasmosis (Choice C) is a fungal infection that primarily affects the lungs and is not related to the client's exposure to a gasoline-powered pressure washer.

3. The new graduate nurse interviews for a position in a nursing department of a large health care agency, described by the interviewer as having shared governance. Which of these statements best illustrates the shared governance model?

• A. An appointed board oversees any administrative decisions
• B. Nursing departments share responsibility for client outcomes
• C. Staff groups are appointed to discuss nursing practice and client education issues
• D. Non-nurse managers supervise nursing staff in groups of units

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because shared governance involves nurses and other staff sharing responsibility for decisions related to patient care and outcomes, promoting collaborative practice and shared accountability. Choice A is incorrect as shared governance includes active participation of frontline staff, not just an appointed board. Choice C is incorrect because shared governance goes beyond just discussing issues to actively sharing responsibility for decision-making. Choice D is incorrect as shared governance encourages nurses to have a significant role in decision-making rather than being supervised by non-nurse managers.

4. To be an effective educator, you should:

• A. listen to people's problems and decide on the approach to meet their needs
• B. select the best strategy for health action for people to implement
• C. direct people's efforts to implement community-based projects
• D. simply tell your clients what to do for their problems/needs

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to select the best strategy for health action for people to implement because it empowers the community to take ownership of their health. Listening to people's problems (Choice A) is important, but the effectiveness lies in empowering them to implement solutions. Directing people's efforts (Choice C) can be directive and may not foster community ownership. Just telling clients what to do (Choice D) does not promote active participation and empowerment.

5. During a large community disaster, a man states that the blast threw him out of a second-story window. Which action should the nurse implement first?

• A. Logroll the client to his side and assess for back injuries
• B. Perform a complete neurological assessment
• C. Open the client's airway immediately
• D. Place the nurse's hands around the client's neck to stabilize

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should first stabilize the client's neck to prevent potential spinal cord injuries. Logrolling the client or performing other assessments should only be done after ensuring spinal stabilization. Opening the airway immediately is important in cases of airway obstruction, but stabilizing the neck takes priority in this scenario. Performing a complete neurological assessment may delay immediate stabilization, which is crucial in suspected spinal injuries.

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