Nursing Elites

1. How can dehydration be assessed in an elderly patient?

• A. Checking skin turgor on the forearm
• B. Assessing for dry mucous membranes
• C. Checking for orthostatic hypotension
• D. Measuring daily weights

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Assessing skin turgor by gently pinching the skin on the forearm is a reliable method to check for dehydration in elderly patients. When the skin is slow to return to its original position, it indicates dehydration. While assessing for dry mucous membranes is also important, checking skin turgor is a more direct method for dehydration assessment. Checking for orthostatic hypotension is more related to circulation status than dehydration. Measuring daily weights is helpful to monitor fluid balance but may not be as immediate or direct in detecting dehydration in elderly patients.

2. What intervention should the nurse implement for a patient receiving a blood transfusion?

• A. Administer antihistamines to prevent allergic reactions.
• B. Monitor the patient for signs of circulatory overload.
• C. Ensure the blood transfusion is completed within 4 hours.
• D. Check the patient's vital signs every 30 minutes during the transfusion.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention for a patient receiving a blood transfusion is to monitor the patient for signs of circulatory overload. This is crucial to prevent fluid overload, which can lead to serious complications. Administering antihistamines is not a routine intervention during blood transfusions unless the patient shows signs of an allergic reaction. Ensuring the completion of the blood transfusion within a specific time frame is not as critical as monitoring for circulatory overload. Checking vital signs every 30 minutes is essential, but the specific focus should be on monitoring for signs of circulatory overload.

3. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being assessed by a nurse. Which finding indicates the condition is worsening?

• A. Increased shortness of breath
• B. Decreased wheezing
• C. Productive cough with green sputum
• D. Slight increase in fatigue

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased shortness of breath. In COPD, worsening symptoms often include increased shortness of breath due to impaired lung function. This indicates a decline in respiratory status and the need for prompt intervention. Choice B, decreased wheezing, is not indicative of worsening COPD as it could suggest better airflow. Choice C, productive cough with green sputum, may indicate an infection but not necessarily worsening COPD. Choice D, a slight increase in fatigue, is non-specific and may not directly correlate with the worsening of COPD.

4. A nurse is assessing a client following a head injury and a brief loss of consciousness. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 12
• B. Edematous bruise on the forehead
• C. Small drops of clear fluid in the left ear
• D. Pupils are 4 mm and reactive to light

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Clear fluid draining from the ear may indicate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, which is a serious complication following a head injury. Reporting this finding is crucial as it may require immediate medical intervention to prevent further complications. Choices A, B, and D are not as concerning as a CSF leak. A GCS score of 12 is relatively high, indicating a mild level of consciousness alteration. An edematous bruise on the forehead is a common physical finding after a head injury. Pupils that are 4 mm and reactive to light suggest normal pupillary function.

5. A hospice nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of a terminal illness and her family. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and symptom management.
• B. The provider will coordinate your health care needs while in hospice.
• C. You do not need to choose a family caregiver before being admitted into a hospice facility.
• D. Hospice care continues to help families with grief after a death occurs.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because hospice care provides ongoing support to families with grief even after a patient's death. Choice A is incorrect because hospice care focuses on providing comfort and symptom management rather than disease treatment and rehabilitation. Choice B is incorrect as the statement does not accurately reflect the role of a hospice provider. Choice C is incorrect; a family caregiver is not a prerequisite for admission into a hospice facility.

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