Nursing Elites

1. Which client requires careful nursing assessment for signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia?

• A. A young adult client with intractable vomiting from food poisoning
• B. A client who developed hyperparathyroidism in late adolescence
• C. A middle-aged male client in renal failure following an unsuccessful kidney transplant
• D. A female client who is overzealous with her intake of simple carbohydrates

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Vomiting can lead to significant loss of magnesium, causing hypomagnesemia. In this scenario, the young adult client with intractable vomiting from food poisoning is at higher risk of developing hypomagnesemia due to the loss of magnesium through vomiting. Choices B, C, and D are less likely to present with hypomagnesemia. Hyperparathyroidism (B) is associated with hypercalcemia, renal failure (C) can lead to hypermagnesemia, and overconsumption of simple carbohydrates (D) is not directly linked to magnesium imbalances.

2. The nursing staff on a medical unit includes a registered nurse (RN), practical nurse (PN), and an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which task should the charge nurse assign to the RN?

• A. Transport a client who is receiving IV fluid to the radiology department
• B. Administer PRN oral analgesics to a client with a history of chronic pain
• C. Supervise a newly hired graduate nurse during an admission assessment
• D. Complete ongoing focused assessments of a client with wrist restraints

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because supervising a newly hired graduate nurse during an admission assessment is a task that falls within the registered nurse's scope of practice. Registered nurses are responsible for overseeing and delegating tasks, especially to new staff, to ensure proper assessment and care delivery. Choices A, B, and D involve tasks that can be appropriately assigned to practical nurses or unlicensed assistive personnel as they are within their scope of practice. Transporting a client, administering oral analgesics, and completing focused assessments do not require the advanced knowledge and skills of a registered nurse.

3. An older male client is admitted to the mental health unit with a sudden onset of global disorientation and is continuously conversing with his mother, who died 50 years ago. The nurse reviews the multiple prescriptions the client is currently taking and assesses his urine specimen, which is cloudy, dark yellow, and has a foul odor. These findings suggest that this client is experiencing which condition?

• A. Psychotic episode
• B. Dementia
• C. Delirium
• D. Depression

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, delirium. The sudden onset of global disorientation along with cloudy, dark yellow urine with a foul odor are indicative of delirium. Delirium is an acute condition characterized by a fluctuating disturbance in awareness and cognition. In this case, the symptoms are suggestive of an underlying physiological cause, such as infection or medication side effects. Choice A, psychotic episode, is less likely as the symptoms are more in line with delirium than a primary psychotic disorder. Choice B, dementia, is a chronic and progressive condition, not typically presenting with sudden onset disorientation. Choice D, depression, does not align with the acute cognitive changes and urine abnormalities described in the scenario.

4. A client with multiple sclerosis is experiencing scotomas (blind spots), which are limiting peripheral vision. What intervention should the nurse include in this client's plan of care?

• A. Encourage the use of corrective lenses during the day
• B. Practice visual exercises that focus on a still object
• C. Alternate an eye patch from eye every 2 hours
• D. Teach techniques for scanning the environment

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with multiple sclerosis experiencing scotomas and limited peripheral vision is to teach techniques for scanning the environment. This intervention helps the client compensate for vision loss by learning how to scan and explore their surroundings effectively. Encouraging the use of corrective lenses may not address the issue of scotomas, and visual exercises focusing on a still object may not enhance peripheral vision. Alternating an eye patch every 2 hours is not typically indicated for scotomas in multiple sclerosis, making it an incorrect choice.

5. A woman at 24-weeks gestation who has fever, body aches, and has been coughing for the last 5 days is sent to the hospital with admission prescriptions for H1N1 influenza. Which action has the highest priority?

• A. Administer Ringer's Lactate IV 125ml/8 hours
• B. Obtain specimens for cultures
• C. Assign a private room
• D. Monitor vital signs q4 hours

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Assigning a private room has the highest priority in this scenario. It helps prevent the spread of H1N1 influenza to other patients and protects both the patient and others from potential infection. Obtaining specimens for cultures and monitoring vital signs are important but do not address the immediate need to prevent the spread of the virus. Administering Ringer's Lactate IV is not the priority in this case as it does not directly address the infectious nature of the condition.

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