Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is updating the plan of care for a client who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with dysphagia. Which of the following interprofessional team members should the nurse identify as the priority to consult?
A. Dietitian
Dietitian should not be consulted: The dietitian is an essential team member and will work closely with the client to ensure proper nutrition and dietary management. However, in the context of dysphagia, the speech-language pathologist's expertise is needed to determine safe swallowing strategies and food modifications.
B. Physical therapist
Physical therapist should not be consulted: The physical therapist focuses on maintaining and improving the client's physical function and mobility. While important in ALS management, the physical therapist's role is not directly related to the immediate issue of dysphagia.
C. Speech-language pathologist
The speech-language pathologist is the correct answer because it specializes in assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. In this case, the speech-language pathologist is essential in evaluating the client's swallowing function, recommending appropriate dietary modifications (texture and consistency of foods), and implementing swallowing exercises or strategies to improve swallowing safety.
D. Occupational therapist
Occupational therapist should not be consulted: The occupational therapist assists clients in regaining or maintaining independence in daily living activities. While the occupational therapist may address some aspects of mealtime activities and adaptive strategies, the speech-language pathologist is more specialized in evaluating and treating swallowing difficulties in clients with ALS.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Choice A option:
Dietitian should not be consulted: The dietitian is an essential team member and will work closely with the client to ensure proper nutrition and dietary management. However, in the context of dysphagia, the speech-language pathologist's expertise is needed to determine safe swallowing strategies and food modifications.
Choice B option:
Physical therapist should not be consulted: The physical therapist focuses on maintaining and improving the client's physical function and mobility. While important in ALS management, the physical therapist's role is not directly related to the immediate issue of dysphagia.
Choice C option:
The speech-language pathologist is the correct answer because it specializes in assessing and treating communication and swallowing disorders. In this case, the speech-language pathologist is essential in evaluating the client's swallowing function, recommending appropriate dietary modifications (texture and consistency of foods), and implementing swallowing exercises or strategies to improve swallowing safety.
Choice D option:
Occupational therapist should not be consulted: The occupational therapist assists clients in regaining or maintaining independence in daily living activities. While the occupational therapist may address some aspects of mealtime activities and adaptive strategies, the speech-language pathologist is more specialized in evaluating and treating swallowing difficulties in clients with ALS.
Similar Questions
A nurse is assessing a 2-year-old toddler. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A. Natural loss of deciduous teeth
Natural loss of deciduous teeth is incorrect. Natural loss of deciduous teeth, also known as baby teeth, usually begins around the age of 5 or 6 years. At the age of 2, a toddler would still have their baby teeth.
B. Nontender, protruding abdomen
This is a normal finding in toddlers. It is common for toddlers to have a protruding abdomen due to their body composition and the normal development of their abdominal muscles.
C. Head circumference exceeds chest circumference
Head circumference exceeds chest circumference: In a typical 2-year-old toddler, the head circumference should be less than the chest circumference. The head grows rapidly during infancy and slows down as the child grows older, leading to a cage in the head-to-chest ratio.
D. Palpable fontanels
The fontanels, or soft spots on the skull, usually close by the end of the first year. By age 2, the fontanels should be closed or very close to being closed, and they would not typically be palpable.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason:
Natural loss of deciduous teeth is incorrect. Natural loss of deciduous teeth, also known as baby teeth, usually begins around the age of 5 or 6 years. At the age of 2, a toddler would still have their baby teeth.
Choice B reason:
This is a normal finding in toddlers. It is common for toddlers to have a protruding abdomen due to their body composition and the normal development of their abdominal muscles.
Choice C reason:
Head circumference exceeds chest circumference: In a typical 2-year-old toddler, the head circumference should be less than the chest circumference. The head grows rapidly during infancy and slows down as the child grows older, leading to a cage in the head-to-chest ratio.
Choice D reason:
The fontanels, or soft spots on the skull, usually close by the end of the first year. By age 2, the fontanels should be closed or very close to being closed, and they would not typically be palpable.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in labour and notes that the umbilical cord is prolapsed. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Loosely wrap the cord with petroleum gauze.
Wrapping the cord with petroleum gauze is not recommended. Handling the cord directly can lead to vasospasm and worsen the situation.
B. Place the client in Trendelenburg position.
C. Evaluate uterine tone.
Evaluate uterine tone. While evaluating uterine tone is an important part of the overall assessment during labour, it is not the priority action in the case of umbilical cord prolapse. The immediate concern is to relieve pressure on the cord.
D. Apply fundal pressure
Fundal pressure should not be applied during umbilical cord prolapse as it may push the baby's presenting part further onto the cord, worsening the situation.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason:
Wrapping the cord with petroleum gauze is not recommended. Handling the cord directly can lead to vasospasm and worsen the situation.Choice B reason:
The Trendelenburg position involves placing the mother with her head lower than her pelvis. This position helps to alleviate pressure on the umbilical cord, reducing the risk of cord compression and compromising blood flow to the baby. Additionally, the nurse should also manually elevate the presenting part of the fetus off the umbilical cord to further relieve pressure. These actions can help mitigate the potential complications associated with umbilical cord prolapse until further medical interventions can be implemented.Choice C reason:
Evaluate uterine tone. While evaluating uterine tone is an important part of the overall assessment during labour, it is not the priority action in the case of umbilical cord prolapse. The immediate concern is to relieve pressure on the cord.
Choice D reason:
Option D: Apply fundal pressure. Fundal pressure should not be applied during umbilical cord prolapse as it may push the baby's presenting part further onto the cord, worsening the situation.
A nurse is suctioning the airway of a client who is receiving mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the suctioning has been effective?
A. Thinning of mucous secretions
While thinning of secretions can be a positive sign, it's not always visible. A decrease in peak inspiratory pressure is a more objective indicator of improved airway patency.
B. Decreased peak inspiratory pressure
Peak inspiratory pressure is the maximum pressure required to push air into the lungs. If suctioning is effective, it will remove secretions and reduce airway resistance, leading to a decrease in peak inspiratory pressure.
C. Presence of a productive cough
While a productive cough can indicate that secretions are being moved, it doesn't directly measure the effectiveness of suctioning.
D. Flattening of the artificial airway cuff
Flattening of the artificial airway cuff: Flattening of the artificial airway cuff is not a relevant indicator of the effectiveness of suctioning. The cuff of an endotracheal tube is inflated to prevent air leaks around the tube and to maintain proper ventilation. It is not directly related to the effectiveness of suctioning.
Full Explanation
Choice A reason
While thinning of secretions can be a positive sign, it's not always visible. A decrease in peak inspiratory pressure is a more objective indicator of improved airway patency.
Choice B reason.
Peak inspiratory pressure is the maximum pressure required to push air into the lungs. If suctioning is effective, it will remove secretions and reduce airway resistance, leading to a decrease in peak inspiratory pressure.
Choice C reason:
While a productive cough can indicate that secretions are being moved, it doesn't directly measure the effectiveness of suctioning.
Choice D reason:
Flattening of the artificial airway cuff: Flattening of the artificial airway cuff is not a relevant indicator of the effectiveness of suctioning. The cuff of an endotracheal tube is inflated to prevent air leaks around the tube and to maintain proper ventilation. It is not directly related to the effectiveness of suctioning.
