Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a client with epilepsy who is being treated with carbamazepine (Tegretol). Which laboratory value might indicate a serious side effect of this drug?

• A. Uric acid of 5 mg/dL
• B. Hematocrit of 33%
• C. WBC 2,000 per cubic millimeter
• D. Platelets 150,000 per cubic millimeter

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Carbamazepine (Tegretol) can suppress the bone marrow, leading to a decrease in the white blood cell count. A laboratory value of WBC 2,000 per cubic millimeter indicates a serious side effect of the drug. Choices A and D are within normal limits, while choice B is at the lower limit of normal. Therefore, choices A, B, and D are incorrect.

2. A client reports hearing voices. What should the nurse do next?

• A. Touch the client to help him return to reality.
• B. Leave the client alone until reality returns.
• C. Ask the client to describe what is happening.
• D. Tell the client there are no voices.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a client reports hearing voices, it might indicate hallucinations. It is essential for the nurse to ask the client to describe what is happening to gain a better understanding of the hallucinations. This approach helps in assessing the severity and content of the hallucinations, which can guide further interventions. Touching the client without consent can be intrusive and may escalate the situation, violating the client's personal space. Leaving the client alone may not address the underlying issue of hallucinations and can lead to potential risks if the client is distressed. Telling the client there are no voices denies their experience, invalidates their feelings, and can result in mistrust between the client and the nurse.

3. Ashley and her boyfriend Chris, both 19 years old, are transported to the Emergency Department after being involved in a motorcycle accident. Chris is badly hurt, but Ashley has no apparent injuries, though she appears confused and has trouble focusing on what is going on around her. She complains of dizziness and nausea. Her pulse is rapid, and she is hyperventilating. The nurse should assess Ashley's level of anxiety as:

• A. mild.
• B. moderate.
• C. severe.
• D. panic.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Based on the symptoms described, Ashley's level of anxiety should be assessed as severe. In severe anxiety, individuals have difficulty solving problems and understanding their environment. They often exhibit somatic symptoms like dizziness, nausea, rapid pulse, and hyperventilation. In contrast, mild anxiety may lead to mild discomfort or even enhanced performance. Moderate anxiety involves grasping less information, mild difficulty in problem-solving, and slight changes in vital signs. Panic, on the other hand, is characterized by markedly disturbed behavior and a potential loss of touch with reality. Therefore, in Ashley's case, the presence of somatic symptoms and vital sign changes indicates severe anxiety.

4. The nurse is making assignments for the day. Which client should be assigned to the nursing assistant?

• A. A client with Alzheimer's disease
• B. A client with pneumonia
• C. A client with appendicitis
• D. A client with thrombophlebitis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The client with Alzheimer's disease is the most stable among the clients listed and can be appropriately assigned to the nursing assistant. Nursing assistants are capable of providing care such as feeding and assisting with activities of daily living for individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Clients with pneumonia, appendicitis, and thrombophlebitis are less stable and necessitate the expertise of a registered nurse for accurate assessment and interventions. Therefore, the nursing assistant can effectively care for the client with Alzheimer's disease while ensuring that the other clients receive the necessary level of care from a registered nurse.

5. The nurse is caring for a dying client who has persistently requested that the nurse 'help her to die and be in peace.' According to the Code of Ethics for Nurses, the nurse should:

• A. Ask the client if she has signed an advance directives document.
• B. Tell the client that another nurse will be assigned to care for her.
• C. Instruct the client that only a physician can legally assist in suicide.
• D. Try to make the client as comfortable as possible, but refuse to assist in death.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: According to the Code of Ethics for Nurses, the nurse should try to make the client as comfortable as possible but refuse to assist in death. It is not within the scope of nursing practice to assist in death, even if requested by the client. Choice A is incorrect as advance directives do not directly relate to the client's request for assistance in dying. Choice B is inappropriate as passing the responsibility to another nurse does not address the ethical dilemma at hand. Choice C is incorrect because instructing the client that only a physician can legally assist in suicide does not address the ethical considerations involved in the request. Therefore, the most appropriate action for the nurse is to provide comfort measures while upholding ethical standards and not participating in ending the client's life.

Similar Questions