Nursing Elites

1. A charge nurse on a medical-surgical unit is planning assignments for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who has been sent from the postpartum unit due to a staffing shortage for the shift. Which of the following client assignments should the nurse delegate to the LPN?

• A. A client who is postoperative following a bowel resection with an NGT set to continuous suction.
• B. A client who has fractured a femur yesterday and is experiencing shortness of breath.
• C. A client who sustained a concussion and has unequal pupils.
• D. A client who has an Hgb of 6.3 g/dl and a prescription for packed RBCs.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the LPN can care for stable clients with complex needs, such as managing an NGT set to continuous suction. Choices B, C, and D involve clients with more acute conditions that require a higher level of assessment and intervention, making them unsuitable for delegation to an LPN. Choice B requires prompt evaluation of the shortness of breath in a client with a recent femur fracture, which is beyond the LPN's scope. Choice C involves a head injury and unequal pupils, indicating the need for neurological assessment and close monitoring. Choice D relates to a critically low hemoglobin level and the need for blood transfusion, requiring careful monitoring and potential intervention beyond the LPN's role.

2. A client is scheduled for a 12-lead ECG. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Ensure the client is fasting before the test
• B. Provide a warm blanket for the client
• C. Apply cold compresses to the client's chest
• D. Instruct the client to remain still

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During a 12-lead ECG, the client needs to remain still to obtain accurate readings. Therefore, instructing the client to remain still is essential. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because fasting is not necessary for an ECG, providing a warm blanket is not a standard procedure, and applying cold compresses may interfere with the ECG results.

3. How should a healthcare provider respond to a patient experiencing acute chest pain?

• A. Administer prescribed nitroglycerin
• B. Provide oxygen
• C. Call for emergency assistance
• D. Reassure the patient

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the case of a patient experiencing acute chest pain, the initial response should include administering prescribed nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart, which can be beneficial in managing chest pain related to cardiac issues. Providing oxygen can also be helpful to support oxygenation. However, the priority in this scenario is to address the potential cardiac cause by administering nitroglycerin. Calling for emergency assistance is crucial if the patient's condition does not improve or deteriorates. Reassuring the patient is essential for emotional support but should not be the primary intervention in the case of acute chest pain.

4. A client with hypertension is asking for lifestyle changes. What should the nurse recommend?

• A. Increase sodium intake to manage blood pressure
• B. Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption
• C. Encourage the client to increase protein intake
• D. Increase intake of fruits and vegetables

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Reduce caffeine and alcohol consumption. This recommendation is crucial for managing hypertension as excessive caffeine and alcohol intake can elevate blood pressure. By reducing these stimulants, the client can help regulate their blood pressure levels. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Increasing sodium intake (Choice A) is contraindicated in hypertension as it can lead to fluid retention and worsen blood pressure. Encouraging increased protein intake (Choice C) and increasing intake of fruits and vegetables (Choice D) are generally healthy dietary suggestions but not specifically targeted at managing hypertension.

5. What is the nurse's role in preoperative patient care?

• A. Provide patient education and ensure NPO status
• B. Ensure that informed consent is obtained
• C. Obtain the patient's health history
• D. Confirm the patient's surgical site

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse plays a crucial role in preoperative patient care by providing education and ensuring NPO (nothing by mouth) status. This helps prepare the patient for surgery by ensuring they understand the procedure, what to expect, and also by following necessary preoperative fasting guidelines. While obtaining the patient's health history (choice C) is important for overall patient assessment, it is typically done during the preoperative assessment but does not specifically pertain to the nurse's role. Ensuring informed consent (choice B) is primarily the responsibility of the healthcare provider performing the procedure. Confirming the patient's surgical site (choice D) is usually the responsibility of the surgical team and is done immediately before the surgery to prevent errors.

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