Nursing Elites

1. How should a healthcare professional manage a patient with suspected myocardial infarction (MI)?

• A. Administer oxygen and call for emergency help
• B. Monitor vital signs and provide pain relief
• C. Provide nitroglycerin and thrombolytics
• D. Administer diuretics and provide a high-protein diet

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen and seeking emergency help are crucial initial steps in managing a patient with suspected myocardial infarction (MI). Oxygen helps to improve oxygenation to the heart muscle, reducing its workload and preventing further damage. Calling for emergency help ensures timely access to advanced medical care, including interventions like thrombolytics. Monitoring vital signs and providing pain relief are important but secondary to the immediate need for oxygen and emergency assistance. Providing nitroglycerin and thrombolytics should be done under medical supervision and following appropriate protocols, not as the first step. Administering diuretics and altering the patient's diet are not indicated in the acute management of MI.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has dementia and frequently gets out of bed unsupervised. What is the best intervention to prevent falls?

• A. Place a bed exit alarm
• B. Use restraints to prevent the client from getting out of bed
• C. Ask the client's family to stay at the bedside
• D. Encourage frequent ambulation with assistance

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The best intervention to prevent falls in a client with dementia who gets out of bed unsupervised is to place a bed exit alarm. This device alerts staff when the client attempts to leave the bed, allowing timely intervention to reduce the risk of falls. Using restraints (choice B) can lead to physical and psychological harm and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Asking the client's family to stay at the bedside (choice C) may not be feasible at all times and does not provide a continuous monitoring solution. Encouraging frequent ambulation with assistance (choice D) is beneficial for mobility but may not address the immediate risk of falls associated with unsupervised bed exits.

3. During a presentation on basic first aid, a nurse educator evaluates a newly licensed home health nurse's understanding of heat stroke. Which symptom indicates the client has heat stroke?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Clammy skin
• D. Bradypnea

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hypotension. Heat stroke can lead to hypotension, which is low blood pressure. This is a common symptom of heat stroke and requires immediate intervention. Bradycardia (slow heart rate), clammy skin, and bradypnea (slow breathing) are not typically associated with heat stroke. In heat stroke, the body's temperature regulation system fails, leading to a rapid rise in body temperature, which can cause various symptoms including hypotension.

4. When assessing a client with signs of delirium, which factor should be the nurse's priority in determining the cause?

• A. Medication history
• B. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances
• C. Psychosocial stressors
• D. Environmental factors

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a nurse assesses a client with signs of delirium, the priority in determining the cause should be focusing on fluid and electrolyte imbalances. Delirium can often be linked to imbalances in these essential elements, making it crucial to address them promptly. While medication history, psychosocial stressors, and environmental factors can also contribute to delirium, they should be assessed after addressing fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to their immediate impact on cognitive function.

5. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is receiving warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. International normalized ratio (INR) of 2.5
• B. Platelet count of 180,000/mm³
• C. Prothrombin time (PT) of 12 seconds
• D. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) of 30 seconds

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A prothrombin time (PT) of 12 seconds is below the therapeutic range for warfarin and indicates a need for dosage adjustment. The correct answer is C. A normal International normalized ratio (INR) for a client on warfarin therapy is usually between 2.0 to 3.0; therefore, an INR of 2.5 is within the expected range. A platelet count of 180,000/mm³ is within the normal range (150,000 to 450,000/mm³) and does not require immediate reporting. A partial thromboplastin time (PTT) of 30 seconds is also within the normal range (25-35 seconds) and does not indicate a need for urgent action.

Similar Questions