Nursing Elites

1. The nurse assesses an older adult who is newly admitted to a long-term care facility. The client has dry, flaky skin and long thickened fingernails. The client has a medical history of a stroke which resulted in left-sided paralysis and dysphagia. In planning care for the client, which task should the nurse delegate to the unlicensed personnel (UAP)?

• A. Soak and file fingernails
• B. Offer fluids frequently
• C. Monitor skin elasticity
• D. Ambulate in the hallway

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Soaking and filing fingernails is a task that can be delegated to UAP. This task does not require specialized nursing skills and can be safely performed by unlicensed personnel. Offering fluids frequently, monitoring skin elasticity, and ambulating require more skilled assessments and interventions, which are responsibilities of the nurse. The client's dry, flaky skin and long thickened fingernails indicate the need for basic hygiene care, making it appropriate for delegation to unlicensed personnel.

2. Which situation is a violation of client confidentiality, as described in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)?

• A. A sign-in sheet kept at the front desk listing clients' last names and the time of their arrival
• B. A nurse's handwritten notes from a telephone report discarded in the office wastebasket
• C. A computer monitor screen located at the nurse's station in a high-traffic area
• D. Privileged Health Information (PHI) given to an ambulance driver for the transfer of a client

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choice C is a violation of client confidentiality as it exposes patient information to unauthorized individuals due to its location in a high-traffic area. HIPAA regulations require that electronic protected health information (ePHI) be safeguarded against unauthorized access, making the situation described in choice C a violation. Choices A, B, and D do not directly involve the exposure of patient information to unauthorized individuals. While choices A and B may pose some risks, they are not as severe as the direct exposure described in choice C. Choice D involves sharing information with an ambulance driver for a legitimate purpose, which does not violate HIPAA if done securely and in compliance with regulations.

3. What actions should the nurse take regarding an older adult male who had an abdominal cholecystectomy and has become increasingly confused and disoriented over the past 24 hours, found wandering into another client’s room and returned to his own room by the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply)

• A. Apply soft upper limb restraints and raise all four bed rails
• B. Report mental status change to the healthcare provider
• C. Assess the client’s breath sounds and oxygen saturation
• D. Assign the UAP to re-assess the client’s risk for falls

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this situation, the appropriate action for the nurse to take is to report the mental status change to the healthcare provider. Confusion and disorientation post-surgery can be indicative of various factors, such as electrolyte imbalances or respiratory issues, necessitating comprehensive assessment by the healthcare team. Applying restraints and raising bed rails may not address the underlying cause of the confusion, and assigning the UAP to reassess the client's risk for falls does not directly address the cognitive changes observed.

4. The nurse is assessing a 3-month-old infant who had a pylorotomy yesterday. This child should be medicated for pain based on which finding?

• A. Restlessness
• B. Clenched Fist
• C. Increased pulse rate
• D. Increased respiratory rate

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In infants, restlessness can be a significant indicator of discomfort or pain, necessitating appropriate pain management. While choices B, C, and D can also be associated with pain, restlessness is a more general and reliable indicator in this scenario. A clenched fist might indicate pain or distress, but it is not as specific as restlessness in assessing pain in infants. Increased pulse rate and respiratory rate can be influenced by various factors other than pain, making them less reliable indicators of pain in this context.

5. A 10-month-old girl is admitted with a diagnosis of possible cystic fibrosis. What question should the nurse ask the parent to assist in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF)?

• A. When you kiss her, does she taste salty?
• B. Do you notice if her urine has a musty odor?
• C. Has she been drinking cow's milk in her daily diet?
• D. How often does she have a normal bowel movement?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Salty skin is a common sign of cystic fibrosis due to high levels of sodium in sweat. Asking about the taste of the child's skin provides valuable information related to the diagnosis of CF. Choices B, C, and D are not helpful in diagnosing cystic fibrosis. A musty odor in urine is not a typical symptom of CF. Drinking cow's milk or bowel movement frequency are not specific to CF diagnosis.

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