Nursing Elites

1. The body system that functions to maintain fluid balance, support immunity, and contains the spleen is the:

• A. Lymphatic System
• B. Digestive System
• C. Urinary System
• D. Respiratory System

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The Lymphatic System is responsible for maintaining fluid balance and supporting immunity. It contains organs like the spleen, tonsils, thymus, lymph nodes, and lymph vessels. The spleen, a part of the lymphatic system, plays a crucial role in filtering blood and storing blood cells. The Digestive System is primarily involved in the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, not fluid balance or immunity. The Urinary System is responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and regulating fluid balance, but it does not support immunity or contain the spleen. The Respiratory System is focused on gas exchange and oxygenating the blood, not fluid balance or immunity.

2. A 4-month-old child is at the clinic for a well-baby checkup and immunizations. Which of these actions is most appropriate when the nurse is assessing an infant's vital signs?

• A. The infant's radial pulse should be palpated, and the nurse should notice any fluctuations resulting from activity or exercise.
• B. The nurse should auscultate an apical rate for 1 minute and then assess for any normal irregularities, such as sinus dysrhythmia.
• C. The infant's blood pressure should be assessed by using a stethoscope with a large diaphragm piece to hear the soft muffled Korotkoff sounds.
• D. The infant's chest should be observed and the respiratory rate counted for 1 minute; the respiratory pattern may vary significantly.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse auscultates an apical rate, not a radial pulse, with infants and toddlers. The pulse should be counted by listening to the heart for 1 full minute to account for normal irregularities, such as sinus dysrhythmia. Children younger than 3 years of age have such small arm vessels; consequently, hearing Korotkoff sounds with a stethoscope is difficult. The nurse should use either an electronic blood pressure device that uses oscillometry or a Doppler ultrasound device to amplify the sounds. An infant's respiratory rate should be assessed by observing the infant's abdomen, not chest, because an infant's respirations are normally more diaphragmatic than thoracic. The nurse should auscultate an apical heart rate, not palpate a radial pulse, with infants and toddlers.

3. When considering the concepts related to blood pressure, which statement best describes the concept of mean arterial pressure (MAP)?

• A. MAP is the pressure of the arterial pulse.
• B. MAP reflects the stroke volume of the heart.
• C. MAP is the pressure forcing blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.
• D. MAP is an average of the systolic and diastolic blood pressures and reflects tissue perfusion.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) is the pressure that forces blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle. It is not the pressure of the arterial pulse (Choice A), nor does it directly reflect the stroke volume of the heart (Choice B). While MAP involves systolic and diastolic pressures, it is not simply an average of these two values as diastole lasts longer. Instead, MAP is closer to diastolic pressure plus one third of the pulse pressure. The best description of MAP is that it represents the pressure forcing blood into the tissues, averaged over the cardiac cycle.

4. When planning a cultural assessment, what component should the nurse include?

• A. Family history
• B. Chief complaint
• C. Medical history
• D. Health practices

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When conducting a cultural assessment, it is essential to include the patient's health practices. Health practices encompass the beliefs, values, and behaviors related to health and illness within a specific cultural context. These practices provide insight into how individuals perceive and manage their health. Family history, chief complaint, and medical history are crucial components of a patient's overall assessment but do not directly relate to a cultural assessment. Focusing on health practices allows the nurse to better understand the patient's cultural background and tailor care to meet their specific needs.

5. What term is used to describe the sexual response changes among middle-aged men?

• A. Menopause
• B. Climacteric
• C. Generativity
• D. Maturity

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Climacteric.' Climacteric specifically refers to the period in middle-aged men characterized by sexual response changes, such as delayed arousal. Menopause, choice A, is incorrect as it is specific to women and marks the cessation of menstrual periods. Generativity, choice C, is unrelated as it refers to the concern for guiding the next generation. Maturity, choice D, is too broad and generally refers to reaching the adult stage of development, not specifically addressing sexual response changes in middle-aged men.

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