Nursing Elites

1. When should a critical pathway be revised?

• A. When variances show a new trend.
• B. When the variances show a new trend.
• C. When a member of the team retires.
• D. When the client leaves the hospital.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A critical pathway should be revised when variances in the patient's progress indicate a new trend or deviation from the expected course of treatment. This allows healthcare providers to adjust the pathway to ensure optimal patient care and outcomes. Changes in the critical pathway are not typically driven by its length or external factors like team member retirements or client discharges. Therefore, the correct answer is B. Choice A is a better phrasing of the correct answer, emphasizing the importance of variances showing a new trend. Choices C and D are irrelevant to the patient's progress and treatment plan, making them incorrect.

2. Which of the following is an essential element of a quality improvement (QI) program?

• A. Blame and punishment
• B. Employee satisfaction
• C. Continual monitoring
• D. Strict adherence to policies

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The essential element of a quality improvement (QI) program is continual monitoring. Continual monitoring allows for the ongoing assessment of processes, identification of areas for improvement, and tracking of progress. Option A, 'Blame and punishment,' is incorrect as QI programs focus on systemic issues rather than individual blame. Option B, 'Employee satisfaction,' while important for organizational culture, is not an essential element of QI programs. Option D, 'Strict adherence to policies,' is valuable but not the core essential element, which is continual monitoring to drive improvement.

3. An active 28-year-old male with type 1 diabetes is being seen in the endocrine clinic. Which finding may indicate the need for a change in therapy?

• A. Hemoglobin A1C level 6.2%
• B. Blood pressure 146/88 mmHg
• C. Heart rate at rest 58 beats/minute
• D. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) level 65 mg/dL

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. In a young adult with type 1 diabetes, a blood pressure of 146/88 mmHg may indicate the need for a change in therapy as it is above the recommended target levels. High blood pressure can increase the risk of cardiovascular complications in diabetic patients. Choices A, C, and D are within normal ranges and do not necessarily indicate the need for an immediate change in therapy. A Hemoglobin A1C level of 6.2% is generally considered good control for a diabetic patient, a resting heart rate of 58 beats/minute is normal for an active individual, and an HDL level of 65 mg/dL is considered to be in the desirable range for heart health.

4. A nurse is assessing a client who reports increased pain following physical therapy. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask when assessing the quality of the client's pain?

• A. Is your pain constant or intermittent?
• B. What would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?
• C. Does the pain radiate?
• D. Is your pain sharp or dull?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When assessing the quality of pain, asking if the pain is sharp or dull helps the nurse understand the nature of the pain. Sharp pain is often associated with acute conditions like nerve irritation or injury, while dull pain may indicate a more chronic issue like inflammation or tissue damage. Choices A, B, and C focus on different aspects of pain assessment but do not specifically address the quality of pain, making them less relevant in this context.

5. An RN is reviewing professional behavior expectations with a group of new nurses. Which of the following statements should be included in the teaching?

• A. It is not OK to discuss your days at work on social media.
• B. When you are passionate about a topic, speak up in professional platforms.
• C. Your behavior outside of the practice setting can impact your license.
• D. Nurses may lose their licenses for unprofessional actions.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct statement to include in the teaching is that nurses may lose their licenses for unprofessional actions. This is an important reminder to new nurses about the serious consequences of unprofessional behavior in the healthcare field. Choice A is incorrect because discussing work on social media can breach patient confidentiality. Choice B is incorrect as speaking up in blogs and forums may not always align with professional conduct standards. Choice C is incorrect as behavior outside the practice setting, if unprofessional, can indeed impact a nurse's license.

Similar Questions