Nursing Elites

1. The parents tell the nurse that their preschooler often awakes from sleep screaming in the middle of the night. The preschooler is not easily comforted and screams if the parents try to restrain the child. What should the nurse instruct the parents to do?

• A. Always read a story to the child before bedtime.
• B. Intervene only if necessary to protect the child from injury.
• C. Discuss counseling options with the primary health care provider.
• D. Try to wake the child and ask the child to describe the dream.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Waking up screaming from sleep at night indicates sleep terrors. The nurse would advise the parents to observe the child and intervene only if there is a risk for injury. Reading a story before bedtime helps calm the child before sleeping, but it does not ensure that the child will not have a sleep terror. There is no need for professional counseling because sleep terrors are a common phenomenon in preschool-age children. Trying to wake the child and asking the child to describe the dream is not appropriate as the child is not aware of anybody's presence during a sleep terror, and this may cause the child to scream and thrash more.

2. A client's blood pressure reading is 156/94 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Inform the client that the blood pressure is high and compare the reading with the client's previously documented blood pressure readings for accuracy.
• B. Contact the health care provider to report the reading and obtain a prescription for an antihypertensive medication.
• C. Replace the cuff with a larger one to ensure a proper fit for the client and increase arm comfort during blood pressure measurement.
• D. Compare the current reading with the client's previously documented blood pressure readings.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take first when a client's blood pressure reading is 156/94 mm Hg is to compare the current reading with the client's previously documented readings. This comparison helps determine whether the current reading is abnormal for the client. Option A, which involves informing the client that the blood pressure is high and comparing it with the previous readings, is appropriate as it educates the client and aids in accurate assessment. Option B, contacting the health care provider for medication, is premature without further assessment. Option C, replacing the cuff with a larger one, is incorrect as it may affect the accuracy of the blood pressure measurement and is not a standard practice for managing high blood pressure readings.

3. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include when teaching a client with limited mobility strategies to prevent venous thrombosis?

• A. Perform cough and deep breathing exercises hourly.
• B. Turn from side to side in bed at least every 2 hours.
• C. Dorsiflex and plantarflex the feet 10 times each hour
• D. Drink approximately 4 ounces of water every hour

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To reduce the risk of venous thrombosis, the nurse should instruct the client to perform dorsiflexion and plantar flexion exercises regularly. These exercises help promote venous return and prevent venous thrombus formation. Options A, B, and D are beneficial in managing other complications of immobility, such as atelectasis and pressure ulcers, but they are less effective in preventing venous thrombosis compared to dorsiflexion and plantar flexion exercises.

4. A man who is admitted for a suicide attempt after the death of his child says, 'I hear my son telling me to come over to the other side.' Which psychotic symptom is the client experiencing?

• A. Fixed delusion
• B. Magical thinking
• C. Pathological regression
• D. Command hallucination

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The client is experiencing a command hallucination. Command hallucinations involve auditory messages instructing harm to self or others, and giving an identity to the hallucinated voice increases the risk of compliance. A fixed delusion is a false belief held to be true despite evidence to the contrary. Magical thinking involves believing that thoughts can influence events, commonly seen in young children. Pathological regression refers to reverting to a previous developmental stage, not applicable in this scenario.

5. After a client has a spontaneous abortion at 12 weeks' gestation, the nurse notes that both she and her partner are visibly upset and crying. Which statement would be a therapeutic response?

• A. 'I'll be here if you want to talk.''
• B. 'Try to relax"?it'll speed up the healing process.''
• C. 'With any luck, you'll get pregnant again soon.''
• D. 'It's best that this happened early rather than having the baby die after it was born.''

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A therapeutic response in this situation is to offer support and empathy. Saying, 'I'll be here if you want to talk' gives the client and her partner the opportunity to express their emotions and seek comfort. It acknowledges their distress and assures them of the nurse's availability. Choice B, advising to relax to speed up the healing process, dismisses their current emotions and may hinder open communication. Choice C, suggesting getting pregnant again soon, minimizes their grief over the loss and may not be what the couple needs to hear at that moment. Choice D, stating it's best that the miscarriage happened early, is insensitive as it invalidates the couple's feelings of loss and grief. Grieving is a natural process, and the timing of the loss does not diminish its significance.

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