Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
The nurse is assigned to care for a client admitted to the hospital with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Which medication does the nurse anticipate to decrease this client’s risk for developing a respiratory infection?
A. An influenza vaccine.
This is because people with COPD are more likely to catch respiratory infections such as colds, flu and pneumonia, which can worsen their symptoms and cause further lung damage. An influenza vaccine can help prevent flu and reduce the risk of complications.
B. A broad-spectrum antibiotic.
A broad-spectrum antibiotic is wrong because antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral ones. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for COPD exacerbations caused by bacterial infections, but not for prevention.
C. A bronchodilator.
A bronchodilator is wrong because bronchodilators are medications that relax the muscles around the airways and make breathing easier. They are used to treat the symptoms of COPD, but they do not prevent respiratory infections.
D. A corticosteroid.
A costeroid is wrong because corticosteroids are anti inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. They are also used to treat the symptoms of COPD, but they do not prevent respiratory infections. In fact, long-term use of corticosteroids may increase the risk of infections by suppressing the immune system.
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Full Explanation
This is because people with COPD are more likely to catch respiratory infections such as colds, flu and pneumonia, which can worsen their symptoms and cause further lung damage. An influenza vaccine can help prevent flu and reduce the risk of complications.
Choice B. A broad-spectrum antibiotic is wrong because antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral ones. Antibiotics are usually prescribed for COPD exacerbations caused by bacterial infections, but not for prevention.
Choice C. A bronchodilator is wrong because bronchodilators are medications that relax the muscles around the airways and make breathing easier. They are used to treat the symptoms of COPD, but they do not prevent respiratory infections.
Choice D. A corticosteroid is wrong because corticosteroids are anti inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. They are also used to treat the symptoms of COPD, but they do not prevent respiratory infections. In fact, long-term use of corticosteroids may increase the risk of infections by suppressing the immune system.
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a client whose family is in a state of disagreement over the care of their family member.
The nurse should report the situation to which of the following facility personnel?
A. Clinical education specialist.
Choice A is wrong because a clinical education specialist is not directly involved in the client’s care and does not have the authority to intervene in ethical issues.
B. Quality improvement committee.
Choice B is wrong because a quality improvement committee is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the quality of care and services provided by the facility, not for addressing ethical conflicts.
C. Hospital ethics committee.
The nurse should report the situation to the hospital ethics committee, which is used to resolve ethical dilemmas in the health care setting. The hospital ethics committee can help the nurse and the client’s family reach a consensus on the best course of action for the client.
D. Hospital administrator.
Choice D is wrong because a hospital administrator is not usually involved in the clinical decision-making process and may not have the expertise or time to deal with ethical issues.
Full Explanation
The nurse should report the situation to the hospital ethics committee, which is used to resolve ethical dilemmas in the health care setting. The hospital ethics committee can help the nurse and the client’s family reach a consensus on the best course of action for the client.
Choice A is wrong because a clinical education specialist is not directly involved in the client’s care and does not have the authority to intervene in ethical issues.
Choice B is wrong because a quality improvement committee is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the quality of care and services provided by the facility, not for addressing ethical conflicts.
Choice D is wrong because a hospital administrator is not usually involved in the clinical decision-making process and may not have the expertise or time to deal with ethical issues.
Signs of hemolytic anaemias include:
A. Red, sore tongue.
Choice A is wrong because a red, sore tongue is a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, not hemolytic anaemia.
B. Pica.
Choice B is wrong because pica is a craving for nonfood items, such as ice, dirt, or starch. It is a sign of iron deficiency anemia, not hemolytic anemia.
C. Splenomegaly and Jaundice.
Splenomegaly and jaundice are signs of hemolytic anemia, a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made. Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen, which may trap and destroy healthy red blood cells. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a waste product of hemoglobin breakdown.
D. Paresthesias.
Choice D is wrong because paresthesias are sensations of tingling, numbness, or prickling in the hands or feet. They are a sign of pernicious anemia, a type of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, not hemolytic anemia. Normal ranges for red blood cell count are 4.5 to 5.9 million cells per microliter for men and 4.1 to 5.1 million cells per microliter for women. Normal ranges for hemoglobin are 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter for men and 12.0 to 15.5 grams per deciliter for women. Normal ranges for bilirubin are 0.1 to 1.2 milligrams per deciliter for adults.
Full Explanation
Splenomegaly and jaundice are signs of hemolytic anemia, a disorder in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are made.
Splenomegaly is an enlargement of the spleen, which may trap and destroy healthy red blood cells. Jaundice is a yellowing of the skin and eyes caused by the buildup of bilirubin, a waste product of hemoglobin breakdown. Choice A is wrong because red, sore tongue is a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, not hemolytic anemia.
Choice B is wrong because pica is a craving for nonfood items, such as ice, dirt, or starch. It is a sign of iron deficiency anemia, not hemolytic anemia. Choice D is wrong because paresthesias are sensations of tingling, numbness, or prickling in the hands or feet. They are a sign of pernicious anemia, a type of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, not hemolytic anemia.
Normal ranges for red blood cell count are 4.5 to 5.9 million cells per microliter for men and 4.1 to 5.1 million cells per microliter for women. Normal ranges for hemoglobin are 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter for men and 12.0 to 15.5 grams per deciliter for women. Normal ranges for bilirubin are 0.1 to 1.2 milligrams per deciliter for adults.
A nurse is assisting with teaching a class about physical manifestations associated with the fight-or-flight response to stress.
Which of the following manifestations should the nurse include?
A. Decreased blood pressure.
Choice A is wrong because the fight-or-flight response increases blood pressure by constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate.
B. Bronchial airway constriction.
Choice B is wrong because the fight-or-flight response causes bronchial airway dilation to allow more oxygen intake and facilitate breathing.
C. Hypoglycemia.
Choice C is wrong because the fight-or-flight response causes hyperglycemia by stimulating the release of glucose from the liver and muscles to provide energy. Normal ranges for blood pressure are 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg, for blood glucose are 70 mg/dL to 100 mg/dL, and for pupil size are 2 mm to 6 mm.
D. Dilated pupils.
This is because the fight-or-flight response activates the sympathetic nervous system, which causes the pupils to dilate to allow more light and improve vision.
Full Explanation
This is because the fight-or-flight response activates the sympathetic nervous system, which causes the pupils to dilate to allow more light and improve vision.
Choice A is wrong because the fight-or-flight response increases blood pressure by constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate.
Choice B is wrong because the fight-or-flight response causes bronchial airway dilation to allow more oxygen intake and facilitate breathing.
Choice C is wrong because the fight-or-flight response causes hyperglycemia by stimulating the release of glucose from the liver and muscles to provide energy.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are 90/60 mmHg to 120/80 mmHg, for blood glucose are 70 mg/dL to 100 mg/dL, and for pupil size are 2 mm to 6 mm.