Nursing Elites

1. Your patient Maria takes NSAIDS for her degenerative joint disease, has developed peptic ulcer disease. Which drug is useful in preventing NSAID-induced peptic ulcer disease?

• A. Calcium carbonate (Tums)
• B. Famotidine (Pepcid)
• C. Misoprostol (Cytotec)
• D. Sucralfate (Carafate)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Misoprostol (Cytotec) is useful in preventing NSAID-induced peptic ulcer disease.

2. A Penrose drain is in place on the first postoperative day following a cholecystectomy. Serosanguineous drainage is noted on the dressing covering the drain. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

• A. Notify the physician.
• B. Change the dressing.
• C. Circle the amount on the dressing with a pen.
• D. Continue to monitor the drainage.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage with a small amount of bile is expected from the Penrose drain for the first 24 hours. Drainage then decreases, and the drain is removed usually within 48 hours. The nurse does not need to notify the physician. A sterile dressing covers the site and should be changed to prevent infection and skin excoriation.

3. A 30-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with complaints of severe abdominal cramping and diarrhea. The nurse evaluates the effectiveness of the patient's intravenous therapy. Which of the following laboratory tests BEST reflects hydration status?

• A. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
• B. White blood cell count.
• C. Hematocrit.
• D. Serum glucose.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Hematocrit is the best indicator of hydration status because it reflects the proportion of red blood cells in the blood. An increased hematocrit indicates dehydration, as the blood becomes more concentrated due to fluid loss. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (Choice A) is a nonspecific marker of inflammation, not hydration status. White blood cell count (Choice B) is an indicator of infection or inflammation. Serum glucose (Choice D) is used to monitor blood sugar levels, not hydration status.

4. Stephen is a 62 y.o. patient that has had a liver biopsy. Which of the following groups of signs alert you to a possible pneumothorax?

• A. Dyspnea and reduced or absent breath sounds over the right lung
• B. Tachycardia, hypotension, and cool, clammy skin
• C. Fever, rebound tenderness, and abdominal rigidity
• D. Redness, warmth, and drainage at the biopsy site

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Dyspnea and reduced or absent breath sounds over the right lung are signs of a possible pneumothorax.

5. The nurse is planning to teach the client with gastroesophageal reflux disease about substances that will increase the lower esophageal sphincter pressure. Which of the following items would the nurse include on this list?

• A. Fatty foods
• B. Nonfat milk
• C. Chocolate
• D. Coffee

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Foods that increase the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure will decrease reflux, and lessen the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The food substance that will increase the LES pressure is nonfat milk. The other substances listed decrease the LES pressure, thus increasing reflux symptoms. Aggravating substances include chocolate, coffee, fatty foods and alcohol.

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