Nursing Elites

1. A client is admitted with severe dehydration. What is the most important assessment finding for the nurse to monitor?

• A. Changes in mental status
• B. Urine output and color
• C. Blood pressure and heart rate
• D. Skin turgor

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Changes in mental status are crucial to monitor in a client with severe dehydration. Altered mental status, such as confusion or lethargy, can indicate severe dehydration and potential complications like electrolyte imbalances affecting the brain. Monitoring urine output and color (choice B) is essential but may not provide immediate signs of severe dehydration. While monitoring blood pressure and heart rate (choice C) is important, changes in mental status take precedence as they can indicate more critical conditions. Skin turgor (choice D) is a valuable assessment for dehydration, but changes in mental status take priority due to their direct correlation with severe dehydration.

2. After years of struggling with weight management, a middle-aged man is evaluated for gastroplasty. He has experienced difficulty managing his diabetes mellitus and hypertension, but he is approved for surgery. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care?

• A. Monitor for signs of depression
• B. Apply sequential compression stockings
• C. Provide a wide variety of meal choices
• D. Observe for signs of depression

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Observing for signs of depression is crucial in this patient's plan of care as depression can impact his overall recovery and management post-surgery. Depression is common in individuals struggling with weight management, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Monitoring for urinary incontinence (Choice A) is not the priority in this case as the patient is undergoing gastroplasty for weight management, not a urinary issue. Applying sequential compression stockings (Choice B) is important for preventing deep vein thrombosis in immobile patients but is not the priority in this scenario. Providing a wide variety of meal choices (Choice C) is not the most crucial intervention at this stage, as post-gastroplasty dietary restrictions are essential for successful weight management.

3. What intervention should the nurse implement during the administration of a vesicant chemotherapeutic agent via an IV site in the client's arm?

• A. Assess IV site frequently for signs of extravasation
• B. Monitor capillary refill distal to the infusion site
• C. Apply a topical anesthetic at the infusion site for burning
• D. Explain that temporary burning at the IV site may occur

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct intervention the nurse should implement during the administration of a vesicant chemotherapeutic agent via an IV site in the client's arm is to assess the IV site frequently for signs of extravasation. Vesicants are agents that can cause tissue damage if they leak into the surrounding tissues. Monitoring for signs of extravasation such as swelling, pain, or redness is crucial to prevent tissue damage and ensure prompt intervention if extravasation occurs. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because monitoring capillary refill, applying a topical anesthetic for burning, and explaining temporary burning do not directly address the risk of extravasation associated with vesicant chemotherapeutic agents.

4. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a client who is diagnosed with myxedema coma?

• A. Intravenous administration of thyroid hormones
• B. Oral administration of hypnotic agents
• C. Intravenous bolus of hydrocortisone
• D. Subcutaneous administration of vitamin K

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Intravenous administration of thyroid hormones. Myxedema coma is a severe form of hypothyroidism that necessitates immediate replacement of thyroid hormones. Administering thyroid hormones intravenously ensures rapid absorption and effectiveness in managing the condition. Choice B, oral administration of hypnotic agents, is incorrect as it does not address the primary issue of thyroid hormone deficiency in myxedema coma. Choice C, intravenous bolus of hydrocortisone, is not the appropriate treatment for myxedema coma as adrenal insufficiency is not the primary concern in this condition. Choice D, subcutaneous administration of vitamin K, is unrelated to the management of myxedema coma and does not address the underlying thyroid hormone deficiency that characterizes this condition.

5. To prevent aspiration in a client on mechanical ventilation receiving continuous enteral feedings through a nasogastric tube, which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement?

• A. Verify the feeding tube position with a daily chest x-ray
• B. Maintain head of bed elevated while enteral feeding is infusing
• C. Check feeding tube placement with air bolus prior to use
• D. Aspirate stomach contents every 4 hours to assess residuals

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important intervention to prevent aspiration in a client receiving continuous enteral feedings through a nasogastric tube while on mechanical ventilation is to maintain the head of the bed elevated while the feeding is infusing. This position helps reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration. Options A, C, and D are not as crucial as maintaining proper positioning to prevent aspiration. Verifying tube position with a daily chest x-ray is important but not the most crucial. Checking tube placement with an air bolus and aspirating stomach contents are important procedures but do not directly address the prevention of aspiration during enteral feedings.

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