Sample Question

[colleen10]

Hi everyone,

I have enjoyed reading the Sample Questions that have been given on the "General Nursing Board" by experienced RN's although I often feel I am missing out on a lot because I am a student and don't understand all of the medical terminology, etc.

So, I thought it would be helpful if I posted a sample question designed for beginning students that will hopefully get everyone thinking in the multiple choice/best answer mode.

Please feel free to post what you think is the correct answer and why. I'll give the best answer in a day or so.

When planning to teach colostomy care to a patient who has just had a temporary colostomy, the nurse should first:

A. Follow the patient's usual bowel havits

B. Explain that the colostomy is temporary

C. Establish goals for the teaching plan

D. Identify the patient's interest in self-care

[RNIAM, BSN, RN]

D is what I would pick

[Ortho_RN]

I would go with D also..

[Jen2]

I would choose D. This way I could first understand the patients usual hygene. I would then establish a teaching plan based on this info. Followed with an explanation that it is temp, and to then follow their usual bowel habits. Hope I'm warm. Great question. Let's keep them comming.

[BunnyBunnyBSNRN, ASN, BSN]

D seems to be the best choice.

[babynursewannab]

D here too.

[memphispanda, RN]

Ok...I really really would love to know where that question came from! We had almost exactly that question on a test last semester!

[essarge]

Ok...I will be the different one. Since the nurse is doing a teaching plan, it should be assumed that the nurse has already talked to the patient. The word "teach" is also in the root of the question, therefore, I would choose C that has to do with the actual teaching of the patient.

[Jen2]

Well since you put it that way. Now I'm confuesed. Will be excited to see the answer.

[colleen10]

OK, the correct answer is in fact "D - Identify the patient's interest in self-care".

I thought this one was a toughy based on essarge's reasoning.

I got this question from a test question sample book.

The reasoning for the correct answer is as follows:

First, the word "first" in the question sets a priority. Option "D" is the only option that addresses assessment of the patient, which would be the initial response of the nurse.

Options A and B can be pretty easily rulled out because we know that although these are important aspects of teaching the patient these wouldn't be the very first things we would go over with the patient. Also, these deal more with the act of teaching/intervention rather than assessment.

Option C is ruled out because this would be done after a readiness for leaning and point of reference is established. The word "establish" is an action word that are more appropriately related to planning or intervention than assessment.

Option D is correct because determining the patient's readiness for learning and point of reference are the priorities. Assessment is the first step in the nursing process.

[Mkue]

Good question.. I thought it was D but then considered C as essarge mentioned. I guess their interest to learn or not would be good to know upfront. :)