Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following represents a normal serum potassium level?

• A. 1.5 mEq/L
• B. 3.0 mEq/L
• C. 4.0 mEq/L
• D. 6.0 mEq/L

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 4.0 mEq/L. Normal serum potassium levels typically range from 3.5-5.5 mEq/L. Choice A (1.5 mEq/L) is below the normal range, Choice B (3.0 mEq/L) is also below the normal range, and Choice D (6.0 mEq/L) is above the normal range. Therefore, the only option within the normal range is Choice C (4.0 mEq/L).

2. What is involved in client education by the nurse?

• A. Telling the client everything about their disease, what will happen in the course of the disease, and the outcome.
• B. Giving information to the client that is accurate and understandable.
• C. Informing the client that the pain they experience might not be real.
• D. Administering medication to the client when they experience pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Client education by the nurse involves providing accurate and understandable information to the client. It is essential to offer relevant details without overwhelming them, making choice B the correct answer. Choice A is incorrect because providing excessive details can confuse the client rather than empower them with necessary knowledge. Choice C is incorrect as it is not the role of the nurse to question the reality of a client's pain; instead, they should address and manage the pain effectively. Choice D is incorrect as client education focuses on providing information and empowering clients with knowledge, not just administering medication.

3. A nurse is taking a morning break with the unit secretary in the nurses' lounge. The unit secretary says to the nurse, 'I read in Mr. Gage's medical record that he has gonorrhea.' How should the nurse respond to the secretary?

• A. Yes, he does, but be sure not to discuss this with anyone else.
• B. Yes, that's why we've imposed contact precautions.
• C. We can't discuss a client's medical condition.
• D. Oh, really? I didn't see that!

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A client's medical condition is confidential and should never be discussed with anyone other than the client and the client's healthcare provider. Therefore, the nurse must tell the unit secretary that the client's condition is not to be discussed. Choices A and B confirm the client's disease, which is inappropriate as it breaches patient confidentiality. Choice D promotes further discussion of the client's condition, which is also inappropriate. The correct response is to firmly state, 'We can't discuss a client's medical condition,' to uphold patient privacy and confidentiality.

4. After administering medication through an NG tube, the client asks if he can lie down when the nurse leaves the room. What is the most appropriate response?

• A. You can lie down in 1 hour.
• B. You can lie down in 5 minutes if your NG residual is below 50 mLs.
• C. You can lie down in about 30 minutes.
• D. Yes, feel free to lie down.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to inform the client that they can lie down in about 30 minutes. After administering medication through an NG tube, it is recommended that the client remains upright for about 30 minutes to ensure proper absorption of the medications. Option A is incorrect as waiting for 1 hour is unnecessary. Option B is incorrect as the specified timeframe and condition given are not standard practice for lying down after NG tube medication administration. Option D is incorrect as it lacks guidance on the appropriate waiting time and does not emphasize the importance of waiting before lying down for optimal medication absorption.

5. The nurse manager of a quality improvement program asks a nurse in the neurological unit to conduct a retrospective audit. Which action should the auditing nurse plan to perform in this type of audit?

• A. Checking the crash cart to ensure that all needed supplies are readily available in case of an emergency
• B. Checking the documentation written by a new nursing graduate on her assigned clients at the end of the shift
• C. Reviewing neurological assessment checklists for all clients on the unit to ensure that these assessments are being conducted as prescribed
• D. Obtaining the assigned medical record from the hospital's medical record room to review documentation made during a client's hospital stay

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Quality improvement, also known as performance improvement, focuses on processes contributing to client safety and care outcomes. Retrospective audits involve reviewing medical records after discharge for compliance with standards. Concurrent audits assess staff compliance during a client's stay. Therefore, obtaining the medical record from the hospital's record room for review is crucial in a retrospective audit. Options A, B, and C are more suited for concurrent audits as they involve real-time assessment during a client's stay.

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