Nursing Elites

1. Your patient who had AIDS/HIV has just died. Should you still use standard precautions as you provide post-mortem care?

• A. Yes, because the virus is still transmissible
• B. Yes, because respect must still be maintained
• C. No, because the virus is no longer transmissible
• D. No, because it is disrespectful

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Yes, you should still use standard precautions even after an HIV/AIDS patient has died. The virus can remain infectious after death, and healthcare workers need to protect themselves from potential exposure. Choice B is incorrect because while respect is important, the primary reason for using standard precautions is to prevent transmission of infectious diseases. Choice C is incorrect as the virus can still be transmissible even after the patient's death. Choice D is incorrect as using standard precautions is a matter of infection control, not a question of respect.

2. A triage nurse has four clients arrive in the emergency department within 15 minutes. Which client should the triage nurse send back to be seen first?

• A. A 2-month-old infant with a history of rolling off the bed and having a bulging fontanelle with crying
• B. A teenager who suffered singed facial hair while camping
• C. An elderly client with complaints of frequent liquid brown-colored stools
• D. A middle-aged client with intermittent pain behind the right scapula

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is the teenager who suffered singed facial hair while camping. This client is in the greatest danger with a potential risk of respiratory distress. Singed facial hair indicates exposure to heat or fire in close range, which could have caused serious damage to the interior of the lungs. It's crucial to prioritize this client as the interior lining of the lungs has no nerve fibers, so swelling may not be immediately noticeable. The other choices, while concerning, do not present an immediate life-threatening situation. The infant's condition may be serious but does not pose an immediate danger of respiratory distress. The elderly client's symptoms could indicate gastrointestinal issues, which are important but not as urgent as potential respiratory compromise. The middle-aged client's pain behind the right scapula, while uncomfortable, does not indicate an acute life-threatening condition requiring immediate attention.

3. A 51-year-old woman had an incisional cholecystectomy 6 hours ago. The nurse will place the highest priority on assisting the patient to

• A. choose low-fat foods from the menu
• B. perform leg exercises hourly while awake
• C. ambulate the evening of the operative day
• D. turn, cough, and deep breathe every 2 hours

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Postoperative nursing care after a cholecystectomy focuses on preventing respiratory complications due to the surgical incision being high in the abdomen, which impairs coughing and deep breathing. Turning, coughing, and deep breathing every 2 hours help prevent respiratory complications, such as pneumonia. While choices A, B, and C are also important aspects of postoperative care, they are not as high a priority as ensuring proper ventilation and respiratory function in the immediate postoperative period.

4. Which vacutainer tubes should be used when a requisition calls for blood to be drawn for an H&H and glucose test?

• A. One light blue, one red
• B. Two lavenders
• C. One lavender, one grey
• D. One green, one red

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'One green, one red.' An H&H test involves hemoglobin and hematocrit, which are components of a complete blood count and are typically drawn in a lavender tube. On the other hand, blood for glucose testing is collected in grey tubes. Therefore, when drawing blood for both an H&H and glucose test, one green tube for glucose and one red tube for H&H should be used. The other choices are incorrect because light blue tubes are used for coagulation studies, lavender tubes are for complete blood counts, and green tubes are for chemistry tests like glucose, while grey tubes are specifically for glucose testing.

5. A client is being admitted to the hospital because of a seizure that occurred at his home. The client has no previous history of seizures. In planning the client's nursing care, which of the following measures is most essential at the time of admission?

• A. Place a padded tongue depressor at the head of the bed.
• B. Pad the bed with blankets.
• C. Inform the client about the importance of wearing a medical identification tag.
• D. Teach the client about seizures.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most essential measure when admitting a client who had a seizure is to pad the bed with blankets (Option B). This is crucial to prevent injury in case of another seizure. Placing a padded tongue depressor at the head of the bed (Option A) is incorrect as current nursing guidelines advise against putting anything in the client's mouth during a seizure. Informing the client about wearing a medical identification tag (Option C) and teaching the client about seizures (Option D) are important but are more relevant once the cause of the seizure is known. It's crucial to remember that not all seizures are classified as epilepsy.

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