Nursing Elites

1. On admission to the psychiatric unit, the client is trembling and appears fearful. The nurse's initial response should be to:

• A. Give the client orientation materials and review the unit rules and regulations.
• B. Introduce him/her and accompany the client to the client's room.
• C. Take the client to the day room and introduce him/her to the other clients.
• D. Ask the nursing assistant to get the client's vital signs and complete the admission search.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Anxiety is triggered by change that threatens the individual's sense of security. In response to anxiety in clients, the nurse should remain calm, minimize stimuli, and move the client to a calmer, more secure/safe setting. The correct initial response is to introduce the client and accompany them to their room. This approach helps the client feel oriented, safe, and supported. Giving orientation materials or reviewing rules and regulations may overwhelm the client further. Taking the client to the day room and introducing them to other clients could increase anxiety by exposing them to unfamiliar faces. Asking the nursing assistant to get vital signs and complete admission tasks can wait until the client feels more settled and secure in their environment.

2. Which of the following tests would MOST LIKELY be performed on a patient who is being monitored for coagulation therapy?

• A. PT/INR
• B. CBC
• C. PTT
• D. WBC

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: PT/INR. Prothrombin times (PT/INR) are commonly used to monitor patients on Coumadin (warfarin) therapy, an anticoagulant that slows the blood's ability to clot. Monitoring PT/INR levels helps ensure the patient is receiving the appropriate dosage of Coumadin. Choice B, CBC (Complete Blood Count), is a general test that provides information on red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets but is not specific to monitoring coagulation therapy. Choice C, PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time), is another coagulation test but is not as commonly used for monitoring Coumadin therapy. Choice D, WBC (White Blood Cell count), is unrelated to monitoring coagulation therapy and is used to assess immune system function.

3. Which of these techniques uses the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling when assessing a patient?

• A. Palpation
• B. Inspection
• C. Percussion
• D. Auscultation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is Palpation. Palpation involves using the sense of touch to assess texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling in a patient. This technique allows the nurse to feel for abnormalities and changes in the patient's tissues. Inspection primarily relies on visual assessment, while percussion involves tapping on the body to produce sounds and assess underlying structures. Auscultation, on the other hand, involves listening to sounds within the body using a stethoscope. Therefore, in the context of assessing texture, temperature, moisture, and swelling, palpation is the most appropriate technique.

4. You have been asked to record the amount of food that the person has eaten during each meal. What kinds of words or numbers would you use to record this food intake?

• A. A little, a moderate amount, or all of the meal
• B. 50 cc, 100 cc, or 500 cc of the meal
• C. 25%, 50%, or 100% of the meal
• D. Either A or C

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Food intake is typically measured in terms of the percentage (%) of food that has been eaten. Using percentages allows for a more precise and standardized way of recording food consumption. For instance, you would record 25% of the vegetable if the person has eaten about a quarter of the vegetables on the plate. Choices A and B are incorrect. Choice A's terms 'a little' and 'a moderate amount' are vague and not specific enough for accurate documentation. Choice B's use of cc is more appropriate for measuring fluids, not solid foods. Choice D is also incorrect as it combines vague terms with percentages, which could lead to confusion in accurately documenting the food intake.

5. Which technique is correct when assessing the radial pulse of a patient?

• A. Palpate for 1 minute if the rhythm is irregular.
• B. Palpate for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 if the rhythm is regular.
• C. Palpate for 2 full minutes to detect any variation in amplitude.
• D. Palpate for 10 seconds and multiply by 6 if the rhythm is regular and the patient has no history of cardiac abnormalities.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing the radial pulse, if the rhythm is irregular, the pulse should be counted for a full minute to get an accurate representation of the pulse rate. In cases where the rhythm is regular, the recommended technique is to palpate for 15 seconds and then multiply by 4 to calculate the beats per minute. This method is more accurate and efficient for normal or rapid heart rates. Palpating for 30 seconds and multiplying by 2 is not as effective, as any error in counting results in a larger discrepancy in the calculated heart rate. Palpating for 2 full minutes is excessive and not necessary for routine pulse assessment. Palpating for 10 seconds and multiplying by 6 is not a standard technique and may lead to inaccuracies, especially in patients with cardiac abnormalities.

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