Nursing Elites

1. A client reports severe pain unrelieved by pain medication in a limb with traction. What is the nurse's priority?

• A. Increase the dosage of pain medication.
• B. Assess for compartment syndrome.
• C. Wait for the healthcare provider to address the issue.
• D. Reposition the client to alleviate the pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess for compartment syndrome. Severe unrelieved pain in a limb with traction can be a sign of compartment syndrome, a surgical emergency. Prompt assessment is crucial to prevent potential complications. Increasing pain medication dosage without addressing the underlying cause may delay necessary interventions. Waiting for the healthcare provider may lead to a critical delay in treatment. Repositioning the client may not alleviate the pain if it is due to compartment syndrome, and it is crucial to assess for this condition first.

2. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client following a gastrectomy. Which of the following strategies should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Drink fluids between meals
• B. Eat three large meals each day
• C. Lie down for 30 minutes after meals
• D. Avoid drinking liquids with meals

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct strategy to include in the teaching after a gastrectomy is to avoid drinking liquids with meals. This helps prevent dumping syndrome, a condition characterized by rapid emptying of undigested food and fluids from the stomach into the small intestine. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Drinking fluids between meals is appropriate to maintain hydration, eating three large meals can exacerbate dumping syndrome, and lying down after meals is not recommended as it can increase the risk of reflux.

3. A client has bilateral eye patches following an injury. When the client's food tray arrives, which of the following interventions should the nurse take to promote independence in eating?

• A. Explain to the client that their tray is here and place their hands on it
• B. Ask the client if they would prefer a liquid diet
• C. Assign an assistive personnel to feed the client
• D. Describe to the client the location of the food on the tray

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Describing the location of food on the tray helps promote independence for the client with bilateral eye patches. By providing clear instructions on where the food is placed, the client can independently locate and consume their meal. Option A is incorrect as physically placing the client's hands on the tray does not encourage independence. Option B is unnecessary unless there are specific dietary restrictions indicated. Option C does not promote the client's independence and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

4. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to four clients. The nurse should administer medications to which client first?

• A. A client who has pneumonia and a WBC count of 11,500/mm3 prescribed piperacillin
• B. A client who has renal failure and a serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L prescribed sodium polystyrene sulfonate
• C. A client who is post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) prescribed atorvastatin
• D. A client who has anemia and a hemoglobin level of 11g/dL prescribed epoetin alfa

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The client with renal failure and high potassium levels requires immediate attention because hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac complications. Administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate helps lower the potassium levels. Choice A, the client with pneumonia and a high WBC count, although important, does not present an immediate life-threatening condition. Choice C, the post-CABG client prescribed atorvastatin, and Choice D, the client with anemia and a hemoglobin level of 11g/dL prescribed epoetin alfa, do not require immediate intervention compared to managing hyperkalemia in a client with renal failure.

5. What are the priority nursing assessments for a patient who has just undergone major surgery?

• A. Providing analgesia as prescribed
• B. Monitoring for signs of infection
• C. Assessing the surgical site for bleeding
• D. Monitoring the patient's vital signs

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor for signs of infection. After major surgery, one of the priority nursing assessments is to watch for signs of infection, such as increased temperature, redness, swelling, or drainage at the surgical site. While providing analgesia is important for pain management, monitoring for infection takes precedence as it can lead to severe complications if not detected early. Assessing the surgical site for bleeding is crucial but is usually more relevant immediately after surgery. Monitoring the patient's vital signs is essential, but the specific focus on infection assessment is crucial in the immediate postoperative period.

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