Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is caring for a client with hypokalemia. Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Muscle weakness.
• B. Irregular heart rate.
• C. Increased urinary output.
• D. Decreased deep tendon reflexes.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Decreased deep tendon reflexes are a critical finding in hypokalemia that indicates severe potassium deficiency affecting neuromuscular function. Immediate intervention is necessary to prevent life-threatening complications such as respiratory failure or cardiac arrhythmias. Muscle weakness, irregular heart rate, and increased urinary output are also associated with hypokalemia but do not pose the same level of urgency as decreased deep tendon reflexes.

2. A female client makes routine visits to a neighborhood community health center. The nurse notes that this client often presents with facial bruising, particularly around the eyes. The nurse discusses prevention of domestic violence with the client even though the client does not admit to it. What level of prevention has the nurse applied in this situation?

• A. primary prevention
• B. secondary prevention
• C. tertiary prevention
• D. health promotion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse has applied primary prevention in this situation. Primary prevention involves efforts to prevent the occurrence of domestic violence before it starts, even if the client does not admit to the abuse. Secondary prevention focuses on early detection and intervention to reduce the harm caused by violence that is already occurring. Tertiary prevention involves actions taken to rehabilitate and support individuals who have experienced domestic violence. Health promotion encompasses a broader approach aimed at improving overall health and well-being, which may include education on domestic violence prevention but is not specific to this scenario.

3. A community health nurse is conducting a neighborhood discussion group about disaster planning. What information regarding transmission of anthrax should the nurse provide to the group?

• A. Infection is acquired when anthrax spores enter a host.
• B. Mature anthrax bacteria live dormant on inanimate objects.
• C. Spores cannot survive for extended periods outside a living host.
• D. Anthrax is transmitted by respiratory droplets from person to person.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Infection is acquired when anthrax spores enter a host. Anthrax is primarily transmitted through spores entering the body, either through the skin, inhalation, or ingestion. Person-to-person transmission of anthrax is extremely rare and not a significant mode of transmission. Choices B and C are incorrect because mature anthrax bacteria do not live dormant on inanimate objects, and spores can survive for extended periods outside a living host. Choice D is incorrect as anthrax is not transmitted by respiratory droplets from person to person.

4. The healthcare provider is assessing a client with a suspected pulmonary embolism. Which finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Chest pain.
• B. Shortness of breath.
• C. Tachycardia.
• D. Cyanosis.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxemia and indicates severe oxygen deprivation, necessitating immediate intervention in a client with a suspected pulmonary embolism. Chest pain, shortness of breath, and tachycardia are also concerning symptoms in pulmonary embolism; however, cyanosis signifies critical oxygen deficiency and warrants urgent attention to prevent further complications.

5. The healthcare provider is caring for a client with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Which intervention is most important?

• A. Restrict fluids to 1,000 mL per day.
• B. Administer a vasopressin antagonist.
• C. Monitor intake and output.
• D. Encourage a high-sodium diet.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering a vasopressin antagonist is the most critical intervention for a client with SIADH. SIADH is characterized by excessive release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to water retention and dilutional hyponatremia. A vasopressin antagonist helps manage the symptoms by blocking the effects of ADH, promoting water excretion, and restoring electrolyte balance. Restricting fluids (choice A) may exacerbate hyponatremia, monitoring intake and output (choice C) is important but not the most critical intervention, and encouraging a high-sodium diet (choice D) is contraindicated in SIADH due to the risk of worsening hyponatremia.

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