Nursing Elites

1. What is the therapeutic range for carbamazepine (Tegretol)?

• A. 7-12 mcg/mL
• B. 4-10 mcg/mL
• C. 10-14 mcg/mL
• D. 1-5 mcg/mL

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The therapeutic range for carbamazepine (Tegretol) is 4-10 mcg/mL. This range is established based on the optimal balance between effectiveness and safety. Choices A, C, and D are outside the therapeutic range for carbamazepine, which could lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes or increased risk of toxicity. Choice B (4-10 mcg/mL) is the correct range recommended for therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.

2. A client is given an opiate drug for pain relief following general anesthesia. The client becomes extremely somnolent with respiratory depression. The physician is likely to order the administration of:

• A. naloxone (Narcan)
• B. labetalol (Normodyne)
• C. neostigmine (Prostigmin)
• D. thiothixene (Navane)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the client is experiencing respiratory depression due to opiate overdose. Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that can rapidly reverse the effects of opiates by competitively binding to opioid receptors and displacing the opiates. This action can restore normal respiration and consciousness. Labetalol (Normodyne) is a non-selective beta-blocker used to manage hypertension, not opioid-induced respiratory depression. Neostigmine (Prostigmin) is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to reverse neuromuscular blockade, not opioid overdose. Thiothixene (Navane) is an antipsychotic medication used to manage psychotic disorders, not opioid toxicity.

3. The home health nurse has made a visit to an 85-year-old female client's home who has recently had surgery to replace her left knee. The client has been discharged from a rehab facility and has been able to walk on her own. The nurse assesses the need for teaching related to fall prevention. What should the nurse include in this teaching plan?

• A. The client should remove all scatter rugs from the floor and minimize clutter.
• B. The client should not limit her movement within the home unless advised by the physician.
• C. The client should have a raised toilet seat and grab bars available in the bathroom.
• D. The client should not wear a robe and socks while walking in the house.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to remove all scatter rugs from the floor and minimize clutter. Rugs and clutter are common causes of falls in the home, especially for the elderly or those with gait issues. Removing them can significantly reduce the risk of falls. While having a raised toilet seat and grab bars in the bathroom is important for safety, it is not the priority in this scenario. The client should not limit her movement within the home unless specifically advised by the physician, as maintaining mobility is essential for recovery. Lastly, the client should avoid wearing robes and socks while walking in the house to prevent tripping, slipping, or falling on slippery floors.

4. When inspecting the ears for cerumen impaction, the nurse checks for which finding?

• A. Redness and swelling of the tympanic membrane
• B. An external auditory canal that is longer than normal
• C. The presence of edema in the external auditory canal
• D. A yellowish or brownish waxy material in the external auditory canal

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When inspecting the ears for cerumen impaction, the nurse should look for a yellowish or brownish waxy material in the external auditory canal. Cerumen, also known as ear wax, is a secretion that can become impacted due to various reasons. It is produced by the vestigial apocrine sweat glands in the external ear canal. Cerumen may partially obscure the eardrum or totally occlude the ear canal. The other options, redness and swelling of the tympanic membrane, an external auditory canal that is longer than normal, and the presence of edema in the external auditory canal, are not indicative findings of cerumen impaction.

5. When an elder client asks the nurse whether he will be capable of sexual activity in old age, the best response by the nurse is:

• A. "Elder adults are psychologically and physically capable of engaging in sexual activity regardless of age-related changes."?
• B. "If you haven't been sexually active throughout your life, you will not be able to participate in sexual activity in old age."?
• C. "When intercourse isn't possible, many of your sexual needs can be met through intimacy and touch."?
• D. "You might find it takes longer for you to achieve an erection, but you can maintain it for a longer time."?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The best response for the nurse when an elder client asks about capability for sexual activity in old age is to provide reassurance and open communication. Choice A is the correct answer as it acknowledges that elder adults can engage in sexual activity both physically and psychologically despite age-related changes. This response encourages further discussion and addresses the client's concerns. Choices B, C, and D contain some truths but are not the most therapeutic responses. Choice B implies that past sexual activity is a prerequisite for sexual activity in old age, which is not entirely accurate as intimacy can be experienced in various ways. Choice C, while true about alternative ways to meet sexual needs, does not directly address the client's question about sexual activity. Choice D focuses on the physiological aspect of sexual function, which is important but not the most appropriate initial response to the client's query.

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