Nursing Elites

1. A patient is prescribed an oral anticoagulant. What should the nurse monitor for?

• A. Elevated blood glucose
• B. Decreased blood pressure
• C. Signs of bleeding
• D. Increased appetite

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Correct! When a patient is prescribed an oral anticoagulant, the nurse should monitor for signs of bleeding. Oral anticoagulants are medications that prevent blood clot formation but can increase the risk of bleeding. Monitoring for signs such as easy bruising, blood in urine or stool, and prolonged bleeding from minor cuts is essential. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because oral anticoagulants do not typically affect blood glucose levels, blood pressure, or appetite.

2. The client is four hours post-operative abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Which nursing intervention should be implemented for this client?

• A. Assist the client in ambulating
• B. Assess the client’s bilateral pedal pulses
• C. Maintain a continuous IV heparin drip
• D. Provide clear liquids to the client

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assessing the client’s bilateral pedal pulses is crucial at this point to monitor the perfusion to the lower extremities after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair surgery. Ambulation (Choice A) may be appropriate but should be guided by the assessment findings. Maintaining a continuous IV heparin drip (Choice C) is not typically indicated post-operatively for this type of surgery. Providing clear liquids (Choice D) may not be suitable immediately after the surgery, as the client needs time to recover before resuming oral intake.

3. Determining nursing care priorities is a part of which of the following steps in determining and fulfilling the nursing care needs of the patient?

• A. Evaluation
• B. Planning
• C. Implementation
• D. Assessment

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Planning in nursing involves setting priorities based on the patient's needs, resources, and desired outcomes. It includes organizing and coordinating care activities to achieve the identified goals. Therefore, determining nursing care priorities is a key aspect of the planning phase.\n Incorrect Rationales:\n- Evaluation (Choice A) comes after implementing the care plan to assess the effectiveness of interventions and make necessary adjustments.\n- Implementation (Choice C) is the phase where the care plan is put into action, involving carrying out the nursing interventions designed during the planning phase.\n- Assessment (Choice D) is the initial step in the nursing process where data about the patient's health status is collected and analyzed to identify needs and formulate a care plan. It precedes planning and determining care priorities.

4. The nurse on the postsurgical unit received a client who was transferred from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and is planning care for this client. The nurse understands that staff should begin planning for this client’s discharge at which point during the hospitalization?

• A. Is admitted to the surgical unit
• B. Is transferred from the PACU to the postsurgical unit
• C. Is able to perform activities of daily living independently
• D. Has been assessed by the healthcare provider for the first time after surgery

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Discharge planning should begin as soon as the patient is admitted to the surgical unit to ensure a smooth transition. It is important to start early to address any potential barriers to discharge, coordinate resources, and provide adequate education and support. Choices B, C, and D are not the appropriate points to start discharge planning as they do not mark the beginning of the hospitalization phase related to the surgical unit.

5. The nurse prepares to administer digoxin (Lanoxin) to a newborn with a diagnosis of heart failure and notes that the apical rate is 140 beats per minute. Which nursing action is appropriate?

• A. Hold the medication
• B. Administer the digoxin
• C. Notify the healthcare provider
• D. Recheck the apical rate in 1 hour

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer the digoxin. An apical rate of 140 bpm is within the normal range for a newborn. Digoxin is commonly prescribed for heart failure in newborns to help improve cardiac function. Holding the medication or notifying the healthcare provider is not necessary as the heart rate is normal for a newborn. Rechecking the apical rate in 1 hour is not needed since the heart rate is within the expected range.

Similar Questions