Nursing Elites

1. A client complains of pain in the leg while in skeletal traction. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Increase the pain medication immediately
• B. Check for signs of infection
• C. Reposition the client's leg for comfort
• D. Notify the physician of the client's complaints

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Check for signs of infection. In skeletal traction, the priority action for the nurse when a client complains of pain in the leg is to first assess for signs of infection. Pain in skeletal traction can be a symptom of infection or other complications, so checking for signs of infection is crucial before considering other interventions. Increasing pain medication immediately (Choice A) may mask the symptoms of an underlying infection. Repositioning the client's leg for comfort (Choice C) may provide temporary relief but does not address the potential underlying issue. Notifying the physician of the client's complaints (Choice D) is important but assessing for infection should come first to ensure timely and appropriate intervention.

2. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional to take when a medication error occurs?

• A. Document the error in the patient's medical record.
• B. Report the error to the healthcare provider immediately.
• C. Apologize to the patient and explain what happened.
• D. Continue administering the medication and monitor the patient closely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a medication error occurs, the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional is to report the error to the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial for ensuring prompt corrective action to mitigate any potential harm to the patient. Documenting the error is important but should come after reporting it to the relevant authorities. Apologizing to the patient is important for maintaining trust and communication but should not take precedence over reporting and addressing the error. Continuing to administer the medication without addressing the error is unsafe and goes against patient safety protocols.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client via a nasogastric (NG) tube. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Crush all medications and administer them all at once.
• B. Flush the NG tube before and after each medication.
• C. Administer only liquid forms of medications.
• D. Skip flushing the tube entirely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Flush the NG tube before and after each medication.' Flushing the NG tube is essential to ensure that the medication passes through smoothly without any obstruction. It helps prevent clogging of the tube and ensures that the full dose of the medication reaches the patient. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because crushing all medications at once, administering only liquid forms of medications, and skipping tube flushing entirely can lead to complications such as tube blockages, incomplete medication administration, and potential harm to the client.

4. During an initial visit, a home health nurse is assessing a client who has cultural beliefs different from their own. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to determine the client's beliefs about environmental control?

• A. Do you spend more time thinking about the past, present, or future?
• B. Who makes most of the decisions in your family group?
• C. What do you think you can do to affect your health status?
• D. Can you list any diseases that your parents or siblings have had?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct question to ask in this scenario is: 'What do you think you can do to affect your health status?' This question directly addresses the client's beliefs about their ability to control their health and reflects their beliefs about environmental control. Choices A, B, and D do not directly relate to assessing the client's beliefs about environmental control. Choice A focuses on time orientation, choice B pertains to family decision-making dynamics, and choice D is related to family medical history, which are not directly relevant to understanding the client's beliefs about environmental control.

5. After placing the patient back in bed, what should the nurse do next?

• A. Re-assess the patient.
• B. Complete an incident report.
• C. Notify the health care provider.
• D. Do nothing, no harm has occurred.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: After placing the patient back in bed, the nurse should notify the health care provider. This is important because the health care provider needs to be informed of the incident and assess the patient further to ensure no underlying injuries or issues exist. Re-assessing the patient is crucial but notifying the health care provider takes precedence in this situation. Completing an incident report is important for documentation purposes but not the immediate next step. Doing nothing is incorrect as there was an incident involving a fall that needs further evaluation.

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