Nursing Elites

1. When admitting a client with Parkinson's disease to the home healthcare service, which nursing diagnosis should have priority in planning care?

• A. Impaired physical mobility related to muscle rigidity and weakness.
• B. Ineffective coping related to depression and dysfunction due to disease progression.
• C. Ineffective breathing pattern related to respiratory muscle weakness.
• D. Fear related to constant possibility of experiencing seizures.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Impaired physical mobility related to muscle rigidity and weakness.' For a client with Parkinson's disease, impaired physical mobility is a priority nursing diagnosis because of the characteristic motor symptoms such as muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Addressing impaired physical mobility is crucial to enhance the client's quality of life. Choices B, C, and D are not the priority nursing diagnoses for a client with Parkinson's disease. Ineffective coping (Choice B) and fear of seizures (Choice D) may be concerns but are not the priority. Ineffective breathing pattern (Choice C) is not typically associated with Parkinson's disease.

2. To prevent keratitis in an unconscious client, where should the nurse apply moisturizing ointment?

• A. Finger and toenail quicks
• B. Eyes
• C. Perianal area
• D. External ear canals

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Eyes. Applying moisturizing ointment to the eyes helps prevent keratitis, a condition that can occur due to inadequate blinking in unconscious clients, leading to corneal dryness and potential damage. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as moisturizing ointment should not be applied to finger and toenail quicks, perianal area, or external ear canals to prevent keratitis.

3. As a client who is terminally ill has been receiving high doses of an opioid analgesic for the past month and becomes unresponsive to verbal stimuli as death approaches, what orders would the nurse expect from the healthcare provider?

• A. Decrease the analgesic dosage by half
• B. Discontinue the analgesic
• C. Continue the same analgesic dosage
• D. Prescribe a less potent drug

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Continuing the same dosage of analgesic is appropriate to manage pain effectively as death nears and the client becomes unresponsive. The primary goal of palliative care in end-of-life situations is to ensure comfort, regardless of the client's level of consciousness. Decreasing the analgesic dosage or discontinuing it could lead to inadequate pain relief, which goes against the principles of palliative care. Prescribing a less potent drug may also compromise pain management in this critical stage. Therefore, maintaining the same analgesic dosage is the most appropriate action to provide comfort and alleviate suffering.

4. What is a critical factor in determining community health?

• A. Number of hospitals
• B. Availability of healthcare services
• C. Socioeconomic status
• D. Population density

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The availability of healthcare services is a critical factor in determining community health. While the number of hospitals may contribute to healthcare accessibility, it is the overall availability of healthcare services that encompasses various factors including hospitals, clinics, healthcare providers, and resources. Socioeconomic status and population density are important determinants of health outcomes, but the direct availability of healthcare services plays a more immediate and direct role in promoting community health.

5. Which of the following patients should the home care nurse assess first?

• A. A 65-year-old male with known COPD and difficulty breathing after climbing a flight of stairs.
• B. A 78-year-old with CHF who has gained 4 lbs according to her tele-monitoring.
• C. A 50-year-old with bilateral leg swelling and difficulty walking.
• D. A 60-year-old with lower back pain.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. A patient with known COPD and difficulty breathing after physical exertion like climbing stairs requires immediate assessment by the nurse. This could indicate a potential exacerbation of COPD, which needs prompt intervention to prevent respiratory distress. Choices B, C, and D describe important patient situations that also require attention, but the urgency is higher with a COPD patient experiencing difficulty breathing.

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