Nursing Elites

1. When assessing the pulse of a 6-year-old patient, the nurse notices that the heart rate varies with the respiratory cycle, speeding up at the peak of inspiration and slowing to normal with expiration. What action would the nurse take next?

• A. Notify the physician.
• B. Record this finding as normal.
• C. Check the child's blood pressure and note any variation with respiration.
• D. Document that this child has bradycardia and continue with the assessment.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take next is to record this finding as normal. Sinus dysrhythmia, characterized by heart rate variation with the respiratory cycle, is commonly found in children and young adults. The heart rate speeds up at the peak of inspiration and slows to normal with expiration. This phenomenon is a normal variant and does not require any intervention. There is no need to notify the physician as this finding is within the expected range for this age group. Checking the child's blood pressure for variations with respiration or documenting the child as having bradycardia would not be appropriate in this case, as sinus dysrhythmia is a normal physiological response.

2. A healthcare professional is considering which patient to admit to the same room as a patient who had a liver transplant 3 weeks ago and is now hospitalized with acute rejection. Which patient would be the best choice?

• A. Patient who is receiving chemotherapy for liver cancer
• B. Patient who is receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer
• C. Patient who has a wound infection after cholecystectomy
• D. Patient who requires pain management for chronic pancreatitis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The patient with chronic pancreatitis is the best choice to admit to the same room as a patient who had a liver transplant and is experiencing acute rejection. This is because the patient with chronic pancreatitis does not pose an infection risk to the immunosuppressed patient who had a liver transplant. On the other hand, patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer or those with wound infections are at risk for infections, which could endanger the immunosuppressed patient with acute rejection.

3. What should the nurse anticipate or expect of an American Indian woman seeking help to regulate her diabetes?

• A. Will comply with the treatment prescribed.
• B. Has given up her belief in naturalistic causes of disease.
• C. May also be seeking the assistance of a shaman or medicine man.
• D. Will need extra help in dealing with her illness and may be experiencing a crisis of faith.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When caring for an American Indian patient seeking help for diabetes, the nurse should anticipate that the patient may also seek the assistance of a shaman or medicine man in addition to biomedical treatment. This cultural practice is common among American Indians who believe in holistic healing involving body, mind, and spirit. It is important for the nurse to acknowledge and respect these cultural beliefs and practices. Choice A is incorrect because patients from different cultures may not always comply with prescribed treatments due to various factors, including cultural beliefs. Choice B is incorrect as patients seeking traditional healing methods do not necessarily give up their beliefs in naturalistic causes of disease; instead, they often complement biomedical care. Choice D is incorrect as assuming the patient is experiencing a crisis of faith is not appropriate; it is more about respecting and understanding the patient's cultural background and beliefs.

4. In which situation would the nurse use bimanual palpation technique?

• A. Palpating the thorax of an infant
• B. Palpating the kidneys and uterus
• C. Assessing pulsations and vibrations
• D. Assessing the presence of tenderness and pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Bimanual palpation involves using both hands to envelop or capture specific body parts or organs like the kidneys, uterus, or adnexa. This technique is particularly useful for assessing the size, shape, consistency, and mobility of deep organs like the kidneys and uterus. Palpating the thorax of an infant (Choice A) is usually done with a different technique like gentle, single-handed palpation. Assessing pulsations and vibrations (Choice C) and assessing tenderness and pain (Choice D) typically do not require the use of bimanual palpation, making Choices A, C, and D incorrect.

5. The healthcare provider is preparing to use an otoscope for an examination. Which statement is true regarding the otoscope?

• A. Often used to direct light into the sinuses
• B. Used to examine the structures of the internal ear
• C. Uses a short, broad speculum to help visualize the ear
• D. Directs light into the ear canal and onto the tympanic membrane

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The otoscope is a tool used to examine the ear canal and tympanic membrane, which separates the external and middle ear. It is not intended to direct light into the sinuses or examine the internal structures of the ear. The otoscope typically uses a short, narrow speculum to aid in visualizing the ear canal and tympanic membrane, not a short, broad speculum as mentioned in choice C.

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