Nursing Elites

1. Which change during pregnancy is related to the slowing of the gastrointestinal tract?

• A. Diarrhea
• B. Constipation
• C. Decreased absorption of iron
• D. Decreased absorption of calcium

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During pregnancy, the gastrointestinal tract tends to slow down, leading to constipation. This is due to hormonal changes that relax the intestinal muscles, allowing more time for nutrient absorption and ultimately leading to constipation. Diarrhea is not typically associated with the slowing of the gastrointestinal tract during pregnancy. Decreased absorption of iron and calcium may occur during pregnancy due to increased demands, but they are not directly related to the slowing of the gastrointestinal tract.

2. A patient on a low-sodium diet should avoid which of the following foods?

• A. Fresh fruits
• B. Unsalted nuts
• C. Canned soup
• D. Plain rice

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Canned soup is the correct answer. Canned soups are often high in sodium due to added salt and should be avoided on a low-sodium diet. Fresh fruits (Choice A) are typically low in sodium and a good choice for a low-sodium diet. Unsalted nuts (Choice B) are also low in sodium and can be included in a low-sodium diet. Plain rice (Choice D) is a low-sodium food and can be part of a low-sodium diet.

3. Following bariatric surgery, a patient would initially be given what type of diet?

• A. regular diet
• B. pureed diet
• C. clear liquid diet
• D. soft diet

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A clear liquid diet is typically the first step after bariatric surgery to allow the stomach to heal and prevent complications.

4. The nurse is working with a patient who recently had a stroke. The patient frequently chokes and coughs when eating and is having difficulty feeding herself. What is the best way to ensure adequate nutrition?

• A. to have an aide feed her at each meal
• B. to ask a family member to assist during meals
• C. to provide tube feedings for the patient
• D. to initiate TPN for the patient

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best way to ensure adequate nutrition for a stroke patient who frequently chokes and coughs when eating and has difficulty feeding herself is to provide tube feedings. Tube feedings are a safe and effective method to deliver nutrition directly to the stomach or intestines, bypassing the swallowing mechanism, reducing the risk of aspiration. Having an aide feed her each meal (choice A) may not address the underlying issue of swallowing difficulty and aspiration risk. Asking a family member to be present at each meal (choice B) does not provide a definitive solution to the patient's nutritional needs. Placing the patient on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (choice D) is a more invasive and typically reserved for patients who cannot tolerate enteral feedings or have non-functional gastrointestinal tracts.

5. When taking a blood pressure reading, where should the cuff be positioned?

• A. The cuff should be deflated fully before immediately starting a second reading for the same patient
• B. The cuff should be deflated quickly after being inflated to 180 mmHg
• C. The cuff should be large enough to wrap around the upper arm of the adult patient, positioned 1 cm above the brachial artery
• D. The cuff should be inflated to 30 mmHg above the estimated systolic BP based on palpation of the radial or brachial artery

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When measuring blood pressure, the cuff should be inflated to 30 mmHg above the estimated systolic blood pressure based on palpation of the radial or brachial artery. This ensures an accurate blood pressure measurement. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Deflating the cuff fully before starting a second reading (Choice A) does not directly relate to the position of the cuff during a reading. Deflating the cuff quickly after inflating to 180 mmHg (Choice B) is not recommended because it can potentially lead to inaccurate readings. While ensuring the cuff is large enough to wrap around the upper arm positioned 1 cm above the brachial artery is important (Choice C), this alone does not guarantee an accurate blood pressure reading. The correct inflation based on palpation is the key element for accuracy, which is why Choice D is correct.

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