Nursing Elites

1. A client being seen in the emergency department for complaints of chest pain confides in the nurse about regular use of cocaine as a recreational drug. The nurse takes which important action in delivering holistic nursing care to this client?

• A. Reports the client to the police for illegal drug use
• B. Explains to the client the damage that cocaine does to the heart
• C. Tells the client it is imperative to stop before myocardial infarction occurs
• D. Teaches about the effects of cocaine on the heart and offers a referral for further help

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should prioritize educating the client about the effects of cocaine on the heart and provide a referral for further help. This approach is crucial in addressing the root cause of the client's health issues and supporting them in making informed decisions about their health. Reporting the client to the police is not appropriate in this situation as the focus should be on the client's health and well-being. Simply explaining the damage without offering solutions may not effectively address the client's needs or promote holistic care. Telling the client to stop without providing support or education may not be as effective as teaching about the effects of cocaine and offering help for cessation. Therefore, educating about the effects and providing a referral for further assistance is the best course of action for holistic nursing care.

2. A client is wearing a continuous cardiac monitor, which begins to alarm at the nurse's station. The nurse sees no electrocardiographic complexes on the screen. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Call a code blue.
• B. Call the healthcare provider.
• C. Check the client's status and lead placement.
• D. Press the recorder button on the ECG console.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take is to check the client's status and lead placement. This step is crucial to ensure that the alarm is not triggered by a simple issue such as lead displacement. Calling a code blue (choice A) is premature without assessing the client first. Contacting the healthcare provider (choice B) can be done after ruling out basic causes for the alarm. Pressing the recorder button (choice D) is not as urgent as checking the client's status and lead placement in this scenario.

3. A nurse is assessing a client who is taking hydrocodone. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Constipation
• B. Sedation
• C. Dry mouth
• D. Respiratory depression

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Respiratory depression. Hydrocodone is an opioid medication that can cause respiratory depression, a serious side effect that should be reported immediately to the healthcare provider. Constipation, sedation, and dry mouth are common side effects of hydrocodone but are not as concerning as respiratory depression. Constipation can be managed with lifestyle modifications and medications, sedation may improve with time or dosage adjustments, and dry mouth is a common and usually benign side effect.

4. A client has a new prescription for methotrexate. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Avoid consuming dairy products.
• B. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
• C. Increase your intake of folic acid.
• D. Monitor for signs of hyperglycemia.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Increasing folic acid intake is crucial when taking methotrexate because the medication can lead to folic acid deficiency. Folic acid supplementation helps counteract this deficiency and reduces the risk of adverse effects associated with methotrexate therapy. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Avoiding dairy products is not specifically necessary for methotrexate therapy. Methotrexate is usually taken with food to reduce gastrointestinal side effects, so taking it on an empty stomach is not recommended. Monitoring for signs of hyperglycemia is not directly related to methotrexate use.

5. A client has a new prescription for enalapril. Which of the following adverse effects should the client be instructed to monitor and report?

• A. Frequent urination
• B. Tremors
• C. Dry mouth
• D. Persistent cough

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Persistent cough. Enalapril, an ACE inhibitor, is known to commonly cause a persistent cough as an adverse effect due to its effect on bradykinin levels. Clients should be instructed to monitor for a persistent cough and report it promptly to their healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible medication adjustment. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they are not commonly associated with enalapril use and are not typical adverse effects of ACE inhibitors.

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