Nokea
You have been assigned to take an apical pulse for one of the patients on the nursing unit. How will you do this?
- A. You will place the stethoscope over the heart and listen for any irregular beats.
- B. You will place the stethoscope over the heart and count the beats per minute.
- C. You will place your fingertip over the patient's wrist and feel for any irregular beats.
- D. You will place your fingertip over the patient's wrist and count the beats per minute.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To take an apical pulse accurately, you should place the stethoscope over the heart and count the number of beats per minute. This method provides a precise assessment of the heart rate. While listening for irregular beats is essential for assessing the heart's rhythm, the primary objective of taking an apical pulse is to determine the heart rate. Choices C and D are incorrect because the apical pulse is not taken at the wrist; instead, it is obtained by auscultating at the apex of the heart, usually at the point where the fifth intercostal space meets the midclavicular line.
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Which of the following actions can help prevent a fire in the area where a healthcare professional works?
- A. Using an adaptor when plugging in client equipment
- B. Marking equipment that is not working properly and using it carefully until it can be inspected by maintenance
- C. Notifying visitors or posting signs that indicate oxygen is in use in certain areas
- D. Keeping extra equipment stored in one area with other supplies and materials
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct action to help prevent a fire in a healthcare setting is to notify visitors or post signs indicating that oxygen is in use in certain areas. Oxygen is a combustible material, and awareness of its presence is crucial to prevent fire hazards. By informing all individuals in the facility about the use of oxygen through clear signs or notifications, the risk of improper use and potential fire accidents can be minimized.
Choice A is incorrect because using an adaptor when plugging in client equipment is not directly related to fire prevention. Choice B is also incorrect as marking faulty equipment and using it until inspection does not directly address fire prevention. Choice D is not a recommended action for fire prevention; storing extra equipment with supplies does not address the specific fire risk associated with oxygen use.
What is a common error when taking a pulse?
- A. Placing the index finger on the radial artery located on the thumb side of a patient's wrist.
- B. Noting a pulse as 'weak' when the pulsation disappears upon adding pressure.
- C. Counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying the number by four.
- D. None of the above will cause errors.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying the number by four. To accurately assess a patient's heart rate or pulse, it is crucial to count the pulse for a full minute. Counting for only 15 seconds and then multiplying by four may result in an inaccurate heart rate calculation. This approach could miss arrhythmias or intermittent pulsations that could be vital indicators of the patient's condition. Placing the index finger on the radial artery, which is located on the thumb side of the patient's wrist, is the correct technique for taking a pulse. Noting a pulse as 'weak' when the pulsation disappears upon adding pressure is a valid observation and not an error in itself. Therefore, the most common error in this scenario is incorrectly calculating the pulse rate by multiplying a 15-second count by four.
The abbreviation pc is defined as ________________.
- A. before the meal
- B. with the meal
- C. after the meal
- D. post corpi
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'after the meal.' In medical terminology, 'pc' is an abbreviation for 'post cibum,' which means 'after eating' or 'after the meal.' This term is used to indicate when a medication should be taken concerning meals. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. 'Before the meal' (A) is typically abbreviated as 'ac,' 'with the meal' (B) is abbreviated as 'pc,' and 'post corpi' (D) is not a valid medical abbreviation or term.
What is the anatomic structure located in the middle of the heart that separates the right and left ventricles?
- A. Septum
- B. Sputum
- C. Separator
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is the septum. The septum is a structure located in the middle of the heart that separates the right and left ventricles. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the separation between the two ventricles to ensure efficient blood flow. The other choices, 'Sputum' and 'Separator,' are incorrect as they do not refer to the anatomic structure in the heart that serves this specific function. 'Sputum' is a term used to describe phlegm or mucus, not an anatomical structure, and 'Separator' is a generic term that does not specifically identify the cardiac structure mentioned in the question.
Which of the following is an organizational factor that affects workplace violence directed at nurses?
- A. Clients who have short hospital stays
- B. The presence of security guards
- C. Restricted client areas
- D. Understaffing of nursing personnel
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Understaffing of nursing personnel is a critical organizational factor that can contribute to workplace violence directed at nurses. When there are too few nurses on duty due to understaffing, it can lead to delays in care delivery and inadequate attention to clients' needs. This situation can result in heightened frustration, aggression, or violence from clients or their families towards the nursing staff. On the other hand, the presence of security guards (Choice B) may enhance safety in the workplace and deter violence, making it an incorrect choice. Clients who have short hospital stays (Choice A) and restricted client areas (Choice C) are not directly linked to organizational factors that promote workplace violence against nurses, making them incorrect choices.