Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider prescribes the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen (Naprosyn) 500 mg PO twice a day for a client with osteoarthritis. During a follow-up visit one month later, the client tells the nurse, 'The pills don't seem to be working. They are not helping the pain at all.' Which factor should influence the nurse’s response?

• A. Noncompliance is probably impacting the optimum medication effectiveness.
• B. Drug dosage is inadequate and needs to be increased to four times a day.
• C. The drug needs 4 to 6 weeks to reach therapeutic levels in the bloodstream.
• D. NSAID response is variable, and another NSAID may be more effective.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. NSAID response can vary among individuals, and sometimes a different NSAID may be more effective for a specific client. In this case, since the current NSAID (naproxen) is not providing pain relief, it is reasonable to consider switching to another NSAID. Choice A is incorrect because there is no information provided to suggest noncompliance. Choice B is incorrect as increasing the dosage without assessing the response may lead to unnecessary side effects. Choice C is incorrect because although it may take time for NSAIDs to reach therapeutic levels, lack of pain relief after a month is a valid reason to consider changing the medication rather than waiting longer.

2. What is the most effective therapy for maintaining remission of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a child?

• A. Surgery to remove enlarged lymph nodes
• B. Long-term chemotherapy
• C. Nutritional supplements to enhance blood cell production
• D. Blood transfusions to replace ineffective red cells

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Long-term chemotherapy. In the case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most effective approach for maintaining remission is long-term chemotherapy, particularly with methotrexate, a chemotherapeutic agent. Surgery to remove enlarged lymph nodes (choice A) is not the primary treatment for leukemia. Nutritional supplements (choice C) may be beneficial for overall health but are not the mainstay of leukemia treatment. Blood transfusions (choice D) are used to manage anemia in leukemia but do not address the underlying disease process.

3. Which instruction should the nurse provide a client who was recently diagnosed with Raynaud's disease?

• A. Avoid cold temperatures completely.
• B. Take medications only during flare-ups.
• C. Wear gloves when removing packages from the freezer.
• D. Limit physical activity to avoid stress.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client with Raynaud's disease is to wear gloves when handling cold items to prevent vasospasm. Raynaud's disease is characterized by vasospasm in response to cold or stress, leading to reduced blood flow to extremities. Wearing gloves when removing packages from the freezer helps minimize exposure to cold temperatures and can prevent triggering vasospasms. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Avoiding cold temperatures completely is impractical and may not always be possible. Taking medications only during flare-ups does not address prevention strategies, and limiting physical activity to avoid stress is not a primary intervention for Raynaud's disease.

4. Which nursing intervention is most important for the nurse to implement when caring for an older client who is legally blind?

• A. Keep the room well-lit at all times.
• B. Speak to the client each time the nurse enters the room.
• C. Ensure the client wears glasses at all times.
• D. Provide written instructions in large print.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to speak to the client each time the nurse enters the room. This intervention is crucial for orienting and reassuring the client, promoting safety, and facilitating communication. Keeping the room well-lit (Choice A) can be helpful but is not as essential as direct verbal communication. Ensuring the client wears glasses (Choice C) may not be feasible or necessary for someone who is legally blind. Providing written instructions in large print (Choice D) is not effective for a client with visual impairments.

5. While assessing a client with degenerative joint disease, the nurse observes Heberden's nodes, large prominences on the client's fingers that are reddened. The client reports that the nodes are painful. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Review the client's dietary intake of high protein foods
• B. Notify the healthcare provider of the finding immediately
• C. Discuss approaches to chronic pain control with the client
• D. Assess the client's radial pulses and capillary refill time

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Discussing approaches to chronic pain control is the most appropriate action in this situation as it helps the client manage the chronic pain associated with Heberden's nodes. Reviewing the client's dietary intake of high protein foods (Choice A) is not directly related to managing the pain caused by Heberden's nodes. Notifying the healthcare provider immediately (Choice B) may not be necessary unless there are urgent complications. Assessing the client's radial pulses and capillary refill time (Choice D) is important but not the priority in addressing the client's reported pain and the presence of Heberden's nodes.

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