Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is assessing an older adult with a pacemaker who leads a sedentary lifestyle. The client reports being unable to perform activities that require physical exertion. The nurse should further assess the client for which of the following?

• A. Left ventricular atrophy.
• B. Irregular heartbeats.
• C. Peripheral vascular occlusion.
• D. Pacemaker function.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Left ventricular atrophy. Older adults who lead sedentary lifestyles are at risk of developing left ventricular atrophy, which can lead to decreased cardiac output during physical exertion. This condition can contribute to the client's inability to perform activities requiring physical exertion. Choice B, irregular heartbeats, may be a consideration due to the presence of a pacemaker, but the client's reported inability to perform physically exerting activities is more indicative of a structural issue like left ventricular atrophy rather than a rhythm-related problem. Peripheral vascular occlusion (Choice C) is less likely to be the cause of the client's symptoms compared to the cardiac-related issue of left ventricular atrophy. While assessing pacemaker function (Choice D) is important, the client's symptoms are more suggestive of a cardiac structural issue rather than a malfunction of the pacemaker.

2. Which of the following is the best indicator of long-term glycemic control in a patient with diabetes?

• A. Fasting blood glucose levels.
• B. Postprandial blood glucose levels.
• C. Hemoglobin A1c.
• D. Random blood glucose levels.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Hemoglobin A1c. Hemoglobin A1c measures the average blood glucose level over the past 2-3 months, providing a reliable indicator of long-term glycemic control. Fasting blood glucose levels (choice A) only offer a snapshot of the current glucose level and can fluctuate throughout the day. Postprandial blood glucose levels (choice B) reflect glucose levels after meals but do not give a comprehensive view of long-term control. Random blood glucose levels (choice D) are taken at any time and lack the consistency needed to assess long-term glycemic control effectively. Therefore, Hemoglobin A1c is the superior choice for monitoring and managing diabetes over an extended period.

3. While assisting a client with a closed chest tube drainage system to move from bed to a chair, the chest tube gets caught on the chair leg and becomes dislodged from the insertion site. What is the immediate priority for the nurse?

• A. Contacting the physician
• B. Reinserting the chest tube
• C. Transferring the client back to bed
• D. Covering the insertion site with a sterile occlusive dressing

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The immediate priority for the nurse when a chest tube becomes dislodged from the insertion site is to cover the site with a sterile occlusive dressing. This action helps prevent air from entering the pleural space, which could lead to a pneumothorax. The nurse should then perform a respiratory assessment to monitor the client's breathing, assist the client back into bed to a position of comfort, and notify the physician. Reinserting the chest tube is a task for the physician, not the nurse, as it requires specific training and expertise.

4. Which of the following is most important for assessing when evaluating the effects of peritoneal dialysis?

• A. Serum potassium levels
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Daily weight
• D. Serum sodium levels

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Daily weight is the most crucial parameter to assess when evaluating the effects of peritoneal dialysis because it directly reflects fluid balance. Peritoneal dialysis involves the removal of excess fluid and waste products from the body. Monitoring daily weight enables the healthcare provider to track changes in fluid status, ensuring that the dialysis treatment is effective. While serum potassium levels, blood pressure, and serum sodium levels are important parameters to monitor in patients undergoing dialysis, they are not as directly indicative of the immediate effects of peritoneal dialysis on fluid balance as daily weight.

5. The nurse assesses a client who is newly diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and observes that the client's eyeballs are protuberant, causing a wide-eyed appearance and eye discomfort. Based on this finding, which action should the nurse include in the client's plan of care?

• A. Assess for signs of increased intracranial pressure
• B. Prepare to administer intravenous levothyroxine
• C. Review the client's serum electrolyte values
• D. Obtain a prescription for artificial tear drops

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In hyperthyroidism, eye discomfort due to protuberant eyeballs (exophthalmos) can be alleviated by using artificial tear drops. These drops help prevent complications associated with dry eyes and promote comfort. Assessing for signs of increased intracranial pressure (Choice A) is not directly related to the client's eye discomfort from hyperthyroidism. Administering intravenous levothyroxine (Choice B) is not the appropriate intervention for managing eye discomfort in hyperthyroidism. Reviewing serum electrolyte values (Choice C) is important in hyperthyroidism but is not directly addressing the client's current eye discomfort and protuberant eyeballs.

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