Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is performing triage on a group of clients in the emergency department. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?

• A. A 12-year-old oozing blood from a laceration on the left thumb due to a cut from a rusty metal can
• B. A 19-year-old with a fever of 103.8°F who is able to identify her sister but not the place and time
• C. A 49-year-old with a compound fracture of the right leg who is complaining of severe pain
• D. A 65-year-old with a flushed face, dry mucous membranes, and a blood sugar of 470 mg/dL

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. A 19-year-old with a fever of 103.8°F who is confused and unable to orient to place and time likely has a severe infection or a serious medical condition affecting the central nervous system. This client needs immediate attention as altered mental status combined with a high fever can indicate a life-threatening situation. Choices A, C, and D present important conditions that require medical care, but they are not as urgent as the 19-year-old with a high fever and confusion. The 12-year-old with a laceration may require treatment for bleeding and a tetanus shot, the 49-year-old with a compound fracture needs urgent orthopedic intervention, and the 65-year-old with a high blood sugar is concerning for hyperglycemia but can wait momentarily compared to the client with a fever and altered mental status.

2. A client has a new diagnosis of Raynaud's disease. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Increase your intake of foods high in potassium.
• B. Keep your home environment warm.
• C. Elevate your legs when sitting.
• D. Reduce your intake of sodium.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to keep the home environment warm. Raynaud's disease causes vasospasm in response to cold, so maintaining a warm environment can help prevent attacks. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Increasing potassium intake, elevating legs when sitting, or reducing sodium intake are not specific to managing Raynaud's disease.

3. A client has an NG tube that needs to be irrigated every 8 hours. Which solution should the nurse use to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance?

• A. Tap water
• B. Sterile water
• C. 0.9% sodium chloride
• D. 0.45% sodium chloride

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct solution to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance during NG tube irrigation is 0.9% sodium chloride. This solution is isotonic and helps prevent electrolyte imbalances. Using tap water or sterile water can lead to electrolyte disturbances due to their hypotonic nature, while 0.45% sodium chloride is hypotonic and may cause further imbalances in the client's electrolyte levels.

4. Which type of infectious diseases are required to be reported to the health department?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus infections, including MRSA
• B. Severe cases of flu-like symptoms
• C. Common colds and non-severe respiratory infections
• D. Only contagious diseases like meningitis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus infections, including MRSA. Severe infections like MRSA are required to be reported to the health department as they pose a significant public health risk. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because severe flu-like symptoms, common colds, and non-severe respiratory infections, and only contagious diseases like meningitis do not fall under the category of infectious diseases that must be reported to the health department.

5. A nurse in a long-term care facility is observing a newly licensed nurse who is providing tracheostomy care for a client. The nurse identifies proper performance of the procedure when the newly licensed nurse selects which of the following solutions to clean the inner cannula?

• A. Normal saline
• B. Hydrogen peroxide
• C. Iodine
• D. Alcohol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to clean tracheostomy cannulas to prevent infection. Normal saline (choice A) is used for wound irrigation but not for cleaning inner cannulas of tracheostomy tubes. Iodine (choice C) and alcohol (choice D) are not recommended for cleaning tracheostomy cannulas as they can be too harsh and irritating to the delicate tissues of the airway.

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