Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a 75-year-old client in congestive heart failure. Which finding suggests that digitalis levels should be reviewed?

• A. Extreme fatigue
• B. Increased appetite
• C. Intense itching
• D. Constipation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Extreme fatigue can be a sign of digitalis toxicity, especially in older adults, and warrants a review of the client's medication levels and potential adjustment. Increased appetite, intense itching, and constipation are not typically associated with digitalis toxicity and do not directly indicate a need for a review of digitalis levels.

2. A client has developed thrombophlebitis of the left leg. Which nursing intervention should be given the highest priority?

• A. Elevate leg on 2 pillows
• B. Apply support stockings
• C. Apply warm compresses
• D. Maintain complete bed rest

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The highest priority nursing intervention for a client with thrombophlebitis of the left leg is to elevate the leg on 2 pillows. Elevating the leg helps reduce swelling and pain associated with thrombophlebitis by promoting venous return. Applying support stockings (choice B) can be beneficial but is not the highest priority as elevation is more effective in the acute phase. Applying warm compresses (choice C) may worsen the condition by dilating the blood vessels, leading to increased pain and swelling. Maintaining complete bed rest (choice D) is important, but elevation takes precedence to improve circulation and reduce the risk of complications.

3. A client was admitted with a diagnosis of pneumonia. When auscultating the client's breath sounds, the nurse hears inspiratory crackles in the right base. Temperature is 102.3 degrees Fahrenheit orally. What finding would the nurse expect?

• A. Flushed skin
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Mental confusion
• D. Hypotension

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Mental confusion. In this scenario, the client's high fever and pneumonia diagnosis indicate an infection. Infections, especially in older adults, can lead to mental confusion due to the body's systemic response to the infection. Flushed skin (choice A) is more commonly associated with fever but does not specifically relate to the client's condition. Bradycardia (choice B) and hypotension (choice D) are less likely findings in a client with pneumonia and a high fever; instead, tachycardia and increased blood pressure are more commonly seen in response to infection.

4. An example of individual influences on health status would be:

• A. Cigarette smoking
• B. A parent with adult-onset diabetes
• C. Exposure to toxic substances in the workplace
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D' because all the listed factors - cigarette smoking, a parent with adult-onset diabetes, and exposure to toxic substances in the workplace - can individually influence a person's health status. Cigarette smoking directly impacts health by increasing the risk of various diseases. Having a parent with adult-onset diabetes can also influence one's health due to genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors. Exposure to toxic substances in the workplace can lead to health issues. Choices A, B, and C are not mutually exclusive but rather represent different aspects of individual influences on health status, making 'D' the most comprehensive and accurate answer.

5. A nurse is planning a nutrition class for a group of senior citizens at a community center and wants to emphasize the amount and types of fat in some foods versus others. What is the best teaching method for the nurse to use?

• A. Display posters with foods and inform seniors about fat content.
• B. Determine the foods most often eaten by this group and discuss the nutritional panel of each product.
• C. Show a movie about cooking with foods that are low in fat but delicious.
• D. Ask each senior to bring a food for others to taste, then estimate the fat content in these foods.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The best teaching method for the nurse in this scenario is to determine the foods most often eaten by the group and discuss the nutritional panel of each product. This approach directly educates the seniors about the fat content in the foods they commonly consume, making the information more relevant and applicable to their daily lives. Choice A, displaying posters with foods, may not engage the seniors effectively or provide detailed information about fat content. Choice C, showing a movie about cooking with low-fat foods, may not address the specific fat content of the seniors' usual food choices. Choice D, asking seniors to bring foods for tasting and estimating fat content, could be subjective and less educational compared to discussing concrete nutritional information from food labels.

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