Nursing Elites

1. The LPN is preparing to ambulate a client post total knee replacement. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform prior to ambulating the client?

• A. Assist the client to a sitting position at the edge of the bed
• B. Have the client march in place for 30 seconds
• C. Have the client raise his arms above his head
• D. Ask the client the last time he fell

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action to perform before ambulating a client post total knee replacement is to assist the client to a sitting position at the edge of the bed. This step is crucial to prevent orthostatic hypotension and ensure the client is ready to stand and walk safely. Having the client march in place or raise his arms above his head are not necessary preparations for ambulation. While knowing about the client's fall history is important for safety reasons, it is not the priority action immediately before ambulating the client.

2. One day postoperative, the client complains of dyspnea, and his respiratory rate (RR) is 35, slightly labored, and there are no breath sounds in the lower-right base. The nurse should suspect:

• A. cor pulmonale.
• B. atelectasis.
• C. pulmonary embolism.
• D. cardiac tamponade.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is atelectasis. The absence of breath sounds in the lower-right base is a key finding in atelectasis, which occurs when a portion of the lung collapses. The other symptoms such as dyspnea and increased respiratory rate could be present in various pulmonary conditions. Cor pulmonale is typically associated with chronic lung disease, pulmonary embolism presents with sudden onset dyspnea and chest pain, and cardiac tamponade manifests with Beck's triad of hypotension, distended neck veins, and muffled heart sounds.

3. Which of the following injuries, presented by a client entering the Emergency Department, is the highest priority?

• A. open leg fracture
• B. open head injury
• C. stab wound to the chest
• D. traumatic amputation of a thumb

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A stab wound to the chest is the highest priority injury. This type of injury can lead to lung collapse and mediastinal shift, potentially resulting in death if left untreated. Treating an obstructed airway or a chest wound takes precedence over addressing hemorrhage. The principle of ABC (airway, breathing, and circulation) guides care decisions in prioritizing life-threatening situations. An open leg fracture, open head injury, and traumatic amputation of a thumb, while serious, do not pose an immediate threat to life compared to a stab wound to the chest. An open leg fracture may lead to significant blood loss but is not immediately life-threatening. An open head injury requires assessment and intervention but does not impact airway, breathing, or circulation directly. Traumatic amputation of a thumb is a serious injury but can be managed after addressing more life-threatening conditions.

4. A client is having psychological counseling for problems communicating with his mother. Which model of stress is the most useful in reference to this stressor?

• A. Adaptation Model
• B. Stimulus-Based Model
• C. Transaction-Based Model
• D. Selye's Model of Stress

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The Transaction-Based Model, proposed by R.S. Lazarus, is the most relevant model of stress in the context of a client facing communication issues with his mother. This model takes into consideration individual differences and cognitive processes that occur between a stressor and the individual's response. It emphasizes the importance of how the individual perceives and interprets the stressor, incorporating mental and psychological components. In this scenario, the client's difficulties in communicating with his mother involve complex cognitive processes and individual perceptions, making the Transaction-Based Model the most suitable choice. The other options are not as relevant in this context: the Adaptation Model focuses on adjustment to stress over time, the Stimulus-Based Model emphasizes external factors as stressors, and Selye's Model of Stress mainly centers on the physiological response to stress.

5. A healthcare professional is reviewing a patient's current Lithium levels. Which of the following values is outside the therapeutic range?

• A. 1.0 mEq/L
• B. 1.1 mEq/L
• C. 1.2 mEq/L
• D. 1.3 mEq/L

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 1.3 mEq/L. The therapeutic range for Lithium levels typically falls between 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Values below or above this range can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes or toxicity. Choices A, B, and C are within the therapeutic range of 1.0-1.2 mEq/L, making them appropriate levels for patient care.

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