Nursing Elites

1. Prior to a thoracentesis, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Position the client in an upright position, leaning over the bedside table.
• B. Explain the procedure.
• C. Obtain ABGs.
• D. Administer benzocaine spray.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Positioning the client in an upright position, leaning over the bedside table helps to facilitate access to the thoracic cavity during the thoracentesis procedure. This position allows for easier identification and access to the insertion site. Explaining the procedure to the client is important, but positioning is the priority. Obtaining ABGs is not directly related to the thoracentesis procedure. Administering benzocaine spray is not a standard practice before a thoracentesis.

2. All of the following interventions are correct when using the Z-track method of drug injection except:

• A. Prepare the injection site with alcohol
• B. Use a needle that is at least 1” long
• C. Aspirate for blood before injection
• D. Rub the site vigorously after the injection to promote absorption

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When using the Z-track method of drug injection, it is important to prepare the injection site with alcohol to ensure cleanliness, use a needle that is at least 1” long to reach the muscle tissue, and aspirate for blood before injection to verify correct needle placement. However, rubbing the site vigorously after the injection is not recommended as it can cause medication to leak into subcutaneous tissue, compromising the medication's intended absorption and efficacy.

3. Which chamber of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs?

• A. Left atrium
• B. Right atrium
• C. Left ventricle
• D. Right ventricle

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A, the left atrium. The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the pulmonary veins. This blood is then pumped into the left ventricle before being circulated throughout the body. The right atrium, represented by choice B, actually receives deoxygenated blood from the body through the vena cava. Choices C and D, the left ventricle and right ventricle respectively, are chambers involved in pumping blood out of the heart to the body and lungs, rather than receiving blood from the lungs.

4. During the assessment of a client receiving packed RBCs, which finding indicates fluid overload?

• A. Low back pain.
• B. Dyspnea.
• C. Hypotension.
• D. Thready pulse.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Dyspnea is a key finding indicating fluid overload in a client receiving packed RBCs. Fluid overload can lead to pulmonary edema, causing difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea). Low back pain is not typically associated with fluid overload but can be more related to musculoskeletal issues. Hypotension and thready pulse are more indicative of hypovolemia (low fluid volume), not fluid overload.

5. A new head nurse on a unit is distressed about the poor staffing on the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift. What should she do?

• A. Complain to her fellow nurses
• B. Wait until she knows more about the unit
• C. Discuss the problem with her supervisor
• D. Inform the staff that they must volunteer to rotate

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, the new head nurse should discuss the problem with her supervisor. This is the most appropriate action as the supervisor is in a position to address staffing concerns effectively and make necessary changes. Complaining to fellow nurses may not lead to a solution, waiting may exacerbate the issue, and demanding staff rotation without proper discussion is not a collaborative approach to resolving the problem.

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