Nursing Elites

1. Nurses should be alert for increased fluid requirements in which circumstance?

• A. Fever
• B. Mechanical ventilation
• C. Congestive heart failure
• D. Increased intracranial pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Fever increases metabolic rate, leading to insensible water loss, thus requiring increased fluid intake. Mechanical ventilation, CHF, and increased intracranial pressure generally require fluid restriction rather than increased fluid intake.

2. A teen with asthma asks the nurse why it is hard to breathe during an asthma attack. The nurse explains that exposure to a “trigger” results in which of these manifestations?

• A. Bronchodilation, muscle relaxation, and decreased mucus production
• B. Air trapping and hypo-inflation of the alveoli
• C. Air trapping and decreased blood flow to the upper airway
• D. Bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation, and excess mucus production

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Asthma triggers cause bronchoconstriction, airway inflammation, and increased mucus production, leading to difficulty breathing. This combination of manifestations results in narrowing of the airways, making it hard for the individual to breathe effectively. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because during an asthma attack, bronchodilation, muscle relaxation, and decreased mucus production do not occur. Instead, the airways constrict, become inflamed, and produce excess mucus, contributing to the breathing difficulties experienced by individuals with asthma.

3. Which parameter correlates best with measurements of total muscle mass?

• A. Height
• B. Weight
• C. Skinfold thickness
• D. Upper arm circumference

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Upper arm circumference correlates best with total muscle mass because it includes both muscle and fat components, making it a reliable indicator of muscle mass.

4. A thorough systemic physical assessment is necessary in the extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infant to detect what?

• A. Weight gain reflective of fluid retention
• B. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment
• C. Subtle changes that may be indicative of an underlying problem
• D. Changes in Apgar score over the first 24 hours of life

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants, a thorough systemic physical assessment is crucial to detect subtle changes that may indicate an underlying problem. These infants are highly vulnerable and may show signs of stress through changes in feeding behavior, activity, color, oxygen saturation, or vital signs. Monitoring weight in ELBW infants primarily reflects genitourinary function rather than fluid retention. Difficulties in maternal-child attachment are important but are usually assessed during parental visits and are not the primary focus of a systemic physical assessment. Changes in the Apgar score are used immediately after birth to assess the transition to extrauterine life and are not as relevant in the following 24 hours to detect ongoing subtle issues.

5. The mother of a 6-year-old boy who has recently had surgery for the removal of his tonsils and adenoids complains that he has begun sucking his thumb again. Which defense mechanism should the nurse include when responding to the mother?

• A. Repression
• B. Regression
• C. Rationalization
• D. Fantasy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Regression. Regression is a common defense mechanism where a child reverts to an earlier stage of development, such as thumb-sucking, to cope with stress. In this scenario, the 6-year-old boy is using thumb-sucking (a behavior typical of earlier developmental stages) as a way to deal with the stress of surgery. Repression (choice A) involves unconsciously blocking out thoughts or feelings, which is not applicable in this case. Rationalization (choice C) is a defense mechanism where illogical or unreasonable explanations are provided to justify behavior, which is not relevant here. Fantasy (choice D) refers to the use of imagination to escape from reality, which is also not the appropriate defense mechanism for the situation described.

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