Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is a key principle of team nursing?

• A. Decentralized decision making
• B. Centralized decision making
• C. Individual accountability
• D. Shared responsibility

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Shared responsibility.' Team nursing emphasizes shared responsibility among team members for patient care. This approach promotes collaboration and coordination among healthcare professionals to deliver comprehensive and holistic care. Choices A and B are incorrect because team nursing typically involves collaborative decision-making rather than centralized or decentralized decision-making. Choice C, 'Individual accountability,' does not align with the collaborative nature of team nursing, where responsibility is shared among team members rather than falling solely on individuals.

2. What is the main goal of discharge planning?

• A. To ensure that patients are discharged as quickly as possible
• B. To prevent hospital readmissions
• C. To educate patients about their medications
• D. To transition patients from one level of care to another

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The main goal of discharge planning is to prevent hospital readmissions by ensuring patients have a clear and effective plan for post-discharge care. This includes coordinating follow-up appointments, medication management, and providing necessary support services to promote a successful transition from the hospital to home or another care setting. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because discharge planning is not primarily about speedy discharge, medication education, or transitioning between care levels; its main focus is on preventing readmissions through comprehensive post-discharge care.

3. A 27-year-old patient admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has a serum glucose level of 732 mg/dL and serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. Which action prescribed by the healthcare provider should the nurse take first?

• A. Place the patient on a cardiac monitor
• B. Administer IV potassium supplements
• C. Obtain urine glucose and ketone levels
• D. Start an insulin infusion at 0.1 units/kg/hr

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the initial priority is to assess for any cardiac arrhythmias due to electrolyte imbalances. Since the patient has a low serum potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L, placing the patient on a cardiac monitor is crucial to monitor for any potential cardiac complications. Administering IV potassium supplements (Choice B) may be needed, but it is not the first action to take. Obtaining urine glucose and ketone levels (Choice C) and starting an insulin infusion (Choice D) are important interventions in managing DKA, but ensuring patient safety by monitoring for arrhythmias takes precedence.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following findings indicates that the catheter requires irrigation?

• A. Urine is positive for ketones
• B. Urine has an unusual odor
• C. Urine specific gravity is 1.035 (normal range: 1.010 to 1.025)
• D. Bladder scan shows 525 mL of urine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Ketones in the urine may indicate infection or blockage in the urinary catheter, necessitating irrigation to ensure proper drainage. Choice B, an unusual odor in the urine, may suggest infection but does not directly indicate the need for catheter irrigation. Choice C, a high urine specific gravity, is indicative of concentrated urine but does not specifically point to the need for catheter irrigation. Choice D, a bladder scan showing 525 mL of urine, indicates urine retention, which may require catheterization or further assessment but not necessarily irrigation.

5. How has advanced technology in health care, such as integrated health records, benefited nurses?

• A. Skip the assessment step of the nursing process
• B. Order medications
• C. Take blood samples
• D. Track patients' vital signs

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Advanced technology in health care, like integrated health records, has enabled nurses to efficiently track patients' vital signs. This capability helps nurses monitor patients' health status closely and make informed decisions regarding their care. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because technology does not replace the vital role of nurses in conducting assessments, ordering medications (typically done by prescribers), or collecting blood samples.

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