Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare professional has collected the following information on a patient: palpated blood pressure"?180 mm Hg; auscultated blood pressure"?170/100 mm Hg; apical pulse"?60 beats per minute; radial pulse"?70 beats per minute. What is the patient's pulse pressure?

• A. 10
• B. 70
• C. 80
• D. 100

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Pulse pressure is the numerical difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. In this case, the systolic blood pressure is 170 mm Hg, and the diastolic blood pressure is 100 mm Hg. Therefore, the pulse pressure is calculated as 170 - 100 = 70 mm Hg. Pulse pressure reflects the stroke volume, the amount of blood ejected from the heart with each beat. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not accurately represent the difference between the systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings provided.

2. An experienced healthcare professional instructs a new colleague on caring for a patient with dyspnea due to a pulmonary fungal infection. Which action by the new colleague indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. Listening to the patient's lung sounds several times during the shift
• B. Placing the patient in droplet precautions and in a private hospital room
• C. Increasing the oxygen flow rate to maintain oxygen saturation above 90%
• D. Monitoring the patient's serology results to identify the specific infecting organism

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is placing the patient in droplet precautions and in a private hospital room. Fungal infections are not transmitted from person to person, so isolation procedures like droplet precautions are unnecessary. Listening to the patient's lung sounds, increasing the oxygen flow rate, and monitoring serology results are all appropriate actions in caring for a patient with dyspnea caused by a pulmonary fungal infection.

3. A 6-month-old infant has been brought to the well-child clinic for a checkup. The infant is currently sleeping. What would the nurse do first when beginning the examination?

• A. Wake the infant before beginning the examination.
• B. Examine the infant's hips before the infant wakes up.
• C. Auscultate the lungs and heart while the infant is still sleeping.
• D. Begin with the assessment of the eye and continue with the remainder of the examination in a head-to-toe approach.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When the infant is quiet or sleeping, it is an ideal time to assess the cardiac, respiratory, and abdominal systems. It is recommended not to wake the infant unnecessarily. Auscultating the lungs and heart while the infant is still sleeping allows for a comprehensive assessment without disturbing the infant. Examining the infant's hips prematurely may disrupt the infant's sleep. Starting with an assessment of the eye is not appropriate as it is an invasive procedure and should be performed towards the end of the examination after the non-invasive assessments have been completed.

4. Rales and rhonchi are frequently noted during an examination of lung sounds. What is the difference between the two?

• A. Rales are louder.
• B. Rhonchi are noted only in infants.
• C. Rales occur on inspiration, rhonchi on expiration.
• D. Rales are noted only in infants.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is that rales occur on inspiration, while rhonchi occur on expiration. Rales are typically heard during inhalation when there is fluid in the alveoli or air passages. Rhonchi, on the other hand, are caused by air passing through obstructed airways during exhalation due to secretions in the respiratory tract. Choice A is incorrect because the loudness of the sounds is not the primary distinguishing factor between rales and rhonchi. Choice B is incorrect as rhonchi can be heard in individuals beyond infancy. Choice D is incorrect as rales can be present in patients of various age groups, not just infants.

5. One of your patients is dependent on a mechanical ventilator for their respiratory needs. The patient cannot breathe on their own. Suddenly, the lights in the patient's room and the entire nursing unit go off. You realize that the electric power has been lost. What is the first thing that you should do for this patient?

• A. Plug the ventilator into the red outlet in the room.
• B. Plug the ventilator into the blue outlet in the room.
• C. Use an Ambu bag to ventilate the patient.
• D. Call the doctor about this emergency.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In healthcare facilities, emergency generators are in place in case of power outages. The red outlets in patient rooms are connected to the emergency generator and provide power during such situations. By plugging the ventilator into the red outlet, you ensure that the patient's mechanical ventilation needs are met despite the power loss. Using an Ambu bag or calling the doctor should be secondary actions after ensuring the ventilator is powered correctly. Plugging the ventilator into the blue outlet is incorrect and can result in the ventilator not functioning during a power outage.

Similar Questions