Nursing Elites

1. What are the early signs of heart failure in a patient?

• A. Shortness of breath and weight gain
• B. Fatigue and chest pain
• C. Nausea and vomiting
• D. Cough and elevated blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Shortness of breath and weight gain. Early signs of heart failure typically manifest as shortness of breath due to fluid accumulation in the lungs and weight gain due to fluid retention in the body. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Fatigue and chest pain are symptoms commonly associated with heart conditions but are not specific early signs of heart failure. Nausea and vomiting are not typically early signs of heart failure. Cough can be a symptom of heart failure, but it is usually associated with other symptoms like shortness of breath rather than being an isolated early sign. Elevated blood pressure is not an early sign of heart failure; in fact, heart failure is more commonly associated with low blood pressure.

2. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about cane use for a client with left-leg weakness. What should the nurse instruct the client to do?

• A. Use the cane on the weak side
• B. Maintain two points of support on the ground at all times
• C. Advance the cane 30 to 45 cm with each step
• D. Advance the cane and the strong leg simultaneously

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Maintain two points of support on the ground at all times. When using a cane for left-leg weakness, the client should hold the cane in the right hand and advance the cane and the weak leg simultaneously. This technique provides the necessary support and stability. Option A is incorrect because the cane should be used on the side opposite the weakness to provide support. Option C is incorrect as advancing the cane too far with each step may cause the client to lose balance. Option D is incorrect because advancing the cane and the strong leg simultaneously does not provide the needed support for the weakened leg.

3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a client who is undergoing screening for prostate cancer. The nurse should expect an elevation in which of the following laboratory values?

• A. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
• B. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
• C. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
• D. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA is a marker specifically used for prostate cancer screening. Elevated levels of PSA can indicate prostate cancer or other prostate-related issues, prompting the need for further diagnostic investigations. Choices B, C, and D are not typically associated with prostate cancer screening. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is related to pregnancy, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is associated with liver and germ cell tumors, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is linked to colorectal cancer.

4. A client receiving chemotherapy for cancer has developed stomatitis. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

• A. Provide lemon-glycerin swabs
• B. Encourage the client to eat soft foods
• C. Avoid using toothpaste
• D. Instruct the client to use a mouthwash containing alcohol

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with stomatitis, a common side effect of chemotherapy, is to encourage the client to eat soft foods. Soft foods help prevent further irritation to the mouth. Providing lemon-glycerin swabs (choice A) can be too harsh and irritating to the mouth. Avoiding toothpaste (choice C) is not necessary unless it contains harsh ingredients that can further irritate the mouth. Instructing the client to use a mouthwash containing alcohol (choice D) is contraindicated as alcohol-containing mouthwashes can be too harsh and drying for clients with stomatitis.

5. What is the primary action the nurse should take first for a client with a pressure ulcer who has a serum albumin level of 3 g/dL?

• A. Increase the protein intake in the diet
• B. Consult with a dietitian to create a high-protein diet
• C. Increase the IV fluid infusion rate
• D. Administer a protein supplement

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to consult with a dietitian to create a high-protein diet. A serum albumin level of 3 g/dL indicates hypoalbuminemia, which can impair wound healing. Consulting with a dietitian to optimize the client's protein intake is crucial in promoting wound healing for pressure ulcers. Increasing the protein intake in the diet (Choice A) may not be sufficient without proper guidance from a dietitian. Increasing the IV fluid infusion rate (Choice C) is not directly related to addressing the protein deficiency. Administering a protein supplement (Choice D) should be guided by a healthcare professional's recommendation after consulting with a dietitian.

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