Nursing Elites

1. You are taking care of 7 patients today. One of your residents wants water; another needs help walking to the bathroom; another just stated that they have chest pain; and another is crying because his daughter did not visit him today. Which patient care task is the lowest in terms of priority?

• A. The water
• B. Help to the bathroom
• C. The chest pain
• D. The crying person

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The lowest priority patient care task in this scenario is addressing the emotional need of the patient who is crying because his daughter did not visit him today. While emotional support is important, the other needs - providing water, assisting to the bathroom, and addressing chest pain - are physical needs that must take priority as they directly impact the patient's well-being and health. It is crucial to acknowledge and address emotional needs but in this situation, the physical needs of the patients should be addressed first.

2. While percussing over the liver of a patient, the nurse notices a dull sound. What should the nurse do?

• A. Consider this a normal finding
• B. Palpate this area for an underlying mass
• C. Reposition the hands and attempt to percuss in this area again
• D. Consider this finding as abnormal and refer the patient for additional treatment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When percussing over relatively dense organs, such as the liver or spleen, a dull sound is a normal finding due to the organ's density. This occurs because the sound waves produced by tapping on the organ travel through the dense tissue, resulting in a dull sound. Therefore, the correct action for the nurse in this scenario is to consider a dull sound over the liver as a normal finding. Palpating for an underlying mass (Choice B) is not indicated based on the percussion finding alone. Repositioning the hands and repeating the percussion (Choice C) may not change the dull sound over the liver. Referring the patient for additional treatment (Choice D) without understanding the normal percussion findings over the liver would be premature. Thus, the most appropriate action is to interpret the dull sound as a normal finding.

3. During an assessment, the nurse notices that a patient is handling a small charm that is tied to a leather strip around their neck. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

• A. Ask the patient about the item and its significance.
• B. Ask the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe.
• C. Tell the patient that a family member should take valuables home.
• D. No action is necessary.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The small charm tied to a leather strip is likely an amulet, which many cultures consider an important means of protection from 'evil spirits.' When a patient appears to have a health practice the nurse is unfamiliar with, the nurse should ask for clarification in a non-judgmental way that communicates acceptance of their beliefs and allows for open communication. Thus, the nurse in this situation should inquire about the amulet's meaning to the patient. Asking the patient to lock the item with other valuables in the hospital's safe, telling the patient that a family member should take valuables home, or doing nothing does not address the importance or meaning of a cultural health practice to the patient and does not allow the nurse to gain an understanding of the patient's cultural health practices.

4. Which of the following sets of word parts means 'Pain'?

• A. dynia and -algia
• B. a- and an
• C. ia and -ac
• D. pathy and -osis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'dynia and -algia.' The word parts 'dynia' and '-algia' specifically relate to pain. 'Dynia' refers to pain, and '-algia' also denotes pain. Therefore, when combined, they form the meaning 'pain.' Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because 'a-' and 'an' do not relate to pain, 'ia' and '-ac' do not specifically convey pain, and 'pathy' and '-osis' are not word parts that directly signify pain.

5. What is the most useful patient position for proctologic exams?

• A. Trendelenburg
• B. Semi-Fowler's
• C. Full Fowler's
• D. Jack Knife

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The Jack Knife position is the most useful for proctologic exams as it allows the patient to lie face down while keeping the buttocks elevated, providing optimal access for the examination. The Trendelenburg position, characterized by the body being laid flat with the feet higher than the head, is not suitable for proctologic exams. Semi-Fowler's and Full Fowler's positions are typically utilized for respiratory or cardiovascular conditions and are not ideal for proctologic examinations due to their lack of optimal access to the perianal area.

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