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 is taking hydrocodone (Vicodin) for chronic back pain. The client has required an increase in the dose and asks whether this means he is addicted to Vicodin. The nurse should base her reply on the knowledge that:

• A. the client's body has developed tolerance, requiring more drug to produce the same effect
• B. the client is preoccupied with getting the drug and is experiencing loss of control, indicating drug dependence
• C. addiction involves psychological behaviors related to substance use, not just physical dependence
• D. the client is coping with chronic back pain and requires adjustments in the medication regimen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a client requires an increased dose of a drug, such as in this case with hydrocodone, it suggests that the body has developed tolerance to the medication. Tolerance means that the client needs more of the drug to achieve the same effect as before. This does not inherently indicate addiction, which involves psychological behaviors related to substance use. Choice B describes drug dependence, where the client is preoccupied with obtaining the drug and experiences loss of control, which is not the same as tolerance. Choice C correctly points out that addiction is more than just physical dependence with withdrawal symptoms and tolerance; it includes psychological factors. Choice D is irrelevant as it discusses adjusting the medication for pain management, not addressing the client's concern about addiction.

3. Which intervention should the nurse take first to assist a woman who states that she feels incompetent as the mother of a teenage daughter?

• A. Recommend that she discipline her daughter more strictly and consistently.
• B. Make a list of things she can do to help improve her husband.
• C. Assist the mother to identify what she believes is preventing her success and what she can do to improve.
• D. Explore with the mother what the daughter can do to improve her behavior.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The priority intervention for a mother who feels incompetent in parenting a teenage daughter is to assist her in identifying the factors contributing to her feelings of inadequacy and help her develop better coping and mothering skills. This approach focuses on addressing the mother's emotional needs and empowering her to improve her situation. Option A is incorrect as it focuses on the daughter's discipline, which may not be the root cause of the mother's feelings. Option B is irrelevant as it focuses on improving her husband, not her parenting skills. Option D is incorrect as it shifts the focus solely to the daughter's behavior, neglecting the mother's emotional needs and self-improvement.

4. The client is scheduled for a pericentesis. Which instruction should be given to the client before the exam?

• A. "You will need to lie flat during the exam."?
• B. "You need to empty your bladder before the procedure."?
• C. "You will be asleep during the procedure."?
• D. "The doctor will inject a medication to treat your illness during the procedure."?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The client scheduled for a pericentesis should be instructed to empty the bladder to prevent the risk of bladder puncture when the needle is inserted. A pericentesis involves removing fluid from the peritoneal cavity. The client is typically positioned sitting up or leaning over a table, making answer A incorrect. During a pericentesis, the client is usually awake, so answer C is incorrect. Medications are not commonly injected into the peritoneal cavity during this procedure, making answer D incorrect. However, it's important to note that the administration of medications during the procedure could vary based on specific circumstances.

5. As a type of quality indicator, an example of a structure standard is:

• A. a written philosophy.
• B. a procedure for a straight catheterization.
• C. a protocol for treatment of a client with chest pain.
• D. the diagnostic work-up for a client with abdominal pain.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'a written philosophy.' Structure standards define the conditions needed to operate a system and do not directly involve client care. Examples include philosophy, objectives, goals, hours of operation, and management responsibility. Choices B, C, and D involve specific procedures and protocols related to client care, which are not structure standards.

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