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 caring for a client and realizes they have administered the wrong medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Notify the provider
• B. Check the condition of the client
• C. Document the occurrence in the electronic medical record
• D. Complete an incident report

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to 'Check the condition of the client' first. When a medication error occurs, the nurse's initial priority should be to assess the client's condition to address any immediate harm or side effects. Notifying the provider can come after ensuring the client's safety. Documenting the occurrence in the electronic medical record and completing an incident report are important steps but should follow the assessment of the client's condition to prioritize patient safety.

3. A patient requires repositioning every 2 hours. Which task can the nurse delegate to the nursing assistive personnel?

• A. Determining the level of comfort
• B. Changing the patient's position
• C. Identifying immobility hazards
• D. Assessing circulation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Changing the patient's position.' Repositioning the patient every 2 hours can be delegated to nursing assistive personnel as it involves physically moving the patient. Tasks like determining the level of comfort (choice A) and assessing circulation (choice D) are clinical judgments that require a nursing license and should be performed by the nurse. Similarly, identifying immobility hazards (choice C) involves critical thinking and assessment skills that are within the nurse's scope of practice.

4. A client is experiencing chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer aspirin
• B. Provide oxygen
• C. Perform an ECG
• D. Administer nitroglycerin

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Administering nitroglycerin is the priority action when a client is experiencing chest pain as it helps alleviate the pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Oxygen can be beneficial, but nitroglycerin takes precedence in this situation. Aspirin can also be given, but nitroglycerin is the priority. Performing an ECG can provide valuable information but is not the first action to take in this scenario.

5. What are the key components of a pain assessment in a postoperative patient?

• A. Checking the effectiveness of pain interventions
• B. Observing for nonverbal signs of pain like grimacing
• C. Assessing the location, duration, and quality of the pain
• D. Asking the patient to rate their pain on a scale of 1-10

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because in a postoperative patient, it is crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of the pain interventions that have been implemented. While choices B, C, and D are important aspects of a pain assessment, they do not specifically address the key component of assessing the effectiveness of the interventions applied postoperatively.

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