Nursing Elites

1. To detect possible complications in a patient with severe cirrhosis who has bleeding esophageal varices, it is most important for the nurse to monitor

• A. bilirubin levels.
• B. ammonia levels.
• C. potassium levels.
• D. prothrombin time.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a patient with severe cirrhosis and bleeding esophageal varices, monitoring ammonia levels is crucial. Severe liver dysfunction impairs the metabolism of protein in the GI tract, leading to increased ammonia levels. Elevated ammonia levels can result in hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication. Monitoring bilirubin levels is important for assessing liver function and jaundice but may not directly reflect the risk of complications from bleeding esophageal varices. Potassium levels are important but not the most critical in this scenario. Prothrombin time is essential for evaluating coagulation status but does not directly relate to the risk of complications from bleeding esophageal varices in this patient.

2. Which of the following medications taken by the patient is least likely to cause urine discoloration?

• A. Sulfasalazine
• B. Levodopa
• C. Phenolphthalein
• D. Aspirin

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is Aspirin. Aspirin is not known to cause urine discoloration. Sulfasalazine is associated with causing orange-yellow discoloration of urine. Levodopa can cause darkening of urine to a brown or black color. Phenolphthalein has been linked to pink or red discoloration of urine. Therefore, among the options provided, Aspirin is the medication least likely to cause urine discoloration.

3. The mother of a child with hepatitis A tells the home care nurse that she is concerned because the child's jaundice seems worse. What is the nurse's best response?

• A. You need to change the child's diet.
• B. The child probably is infectious again.
• C. The jaundice may worsen before it resolves.
• D. You need to call the primary health care provider.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best response for the nurse in this situation is to explain to the mother that jaundice may seem to worsen before it eventually gets better. This is a common occurrence in hepatitis A. Option A about changing the child's diet is irrelevant to the concern raised by the mother and not supported by evidence. Option B suggesting the child is infectious again is incorrect and may cause unnecessary alarm as jaundice does not indicate reinfection. Option D, advising the mother to call the primary health care provider, is premature as the nurse can first provide education and reassurance regarding the expected course of jaundice in hepatitis A.

4. After repair of an inguinal hernia, the infant is being cared for. Which assessment finding indicates that the surgical repair was effective?

• A. A clean, dry incision
• B. Abdominal distension
• C. An adequate flow of urine
• D. Absence of inguinal swelling with crying

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The absence of inguinal swelling when the infant cries or strains indicates that the surgical repair of the inguinal hernia was effective. Inguinal swelling typically occurs with crying or straining in cases of this condition. A clean, dry incision signifies the absence of wound infection post-surgery but does not directly indicate the effectiveness of the hernia repair. Abdominal distension suggests a gastrointestinal issue unrelated to the hernia repair. An adequate flow of urine is not specific to evaluating the success of inguinal hernia repair.

5. A patient is scheduled for a computed tomography (CT) of the chest with contrast media. Which assessment finding should the nurse immediately report to the health care provider?

• A. Patient is claustrophobic.
• B. Patient is allergic to shellfish.
• C. Patient recently used a bronchodilator inhaler.
• D. Patient is not able to remove a wedding band.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is that the patient is allergic to shellfish. This is crucial because the contrast media used in CT scans is iodine-based, and individuals with iodine allergies, such as those allergic to shellfish, are at risk of adverse reactions. It is important to identify and address this allergy to prevent potential complications. The other options do not directly impact the safety or effectiveness of the CT scan with contrast media. Claustrophobia can be managed with patient support, the recent use of a bronchodilator inhaler does not typically affect the CT procedure, and not being able to remove a wedding band is not a critical concern for the scan itself.

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