Nursing Elites

1. A client who will be going to surgery states no known allergies to any medications. What is the most important nursing action for the nurse to implement next?

• A. Assess client’s knowledge of an allergic response
• B. Record 'no known drug allergies' on the preoperative checklist
• C. Flag 'no known drug allergies' on the front of the chart
• D. Assess client’s allergies to non-drug substances

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important action to take in this situation is to record 'no known drug allergies' on the preoperative checklist. This ensures that all healthcare staff involved in the surgery are aware of the client's stated lack of drug allergies, helping to prevent any potential adverse reactions. Assessing the client's knowledge of an allergic response (Choice A) may be valuable but is not the most crucial action at this point. Flagging 'no known drug allergies' on the front of the chart (Choice C) is less practical and visible compared to documenting it on the preoperative checklist. Assessing the client’s allergies to non-drug substances (Choice D) is not the priority in this scenario where the focus is on medications due to the upcoming surgery.

2. An adult male who admits to abusing IV drugs obtains the results of HIV testing. When informed that the results are positive, he states that he does not want his wife to know. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Tell the client he is required by law to inform his sexual partners of his HIV status
• B. Counsel the client about the importance of notifying his sexual partner
• C. Inform the wife of her health risk related to her husband's HIV results
• D. Report the client's status as a sexually transmitted case to the health department

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should counsel the client on the importance of notifying partners about HIV status while respecting confidentiality. Mandatory partner notification laws vary by jurisdiction, so option A cannot be universally applied. Breaching patient confidentiality, as suggested in option C, is unethical. Reporting the client's status to the health department without consent, as in option D, is not appropriate as HIV status is confidential information and is not automatically reported as a sexually transmitted case.

3. A male client with diabetes mellitus takes NPH/regular 70/30 insulin before meals and azithromycin PO daily, using medication he brought from home. When the nurse delivers his breakfast tray, the client tells the nurse that he took his insulin but forgot to take his daily dose of azithromycin an hour before breakfast as instructed. What action should the nurse implement?

• A. Provide a PRN dose of an antacid to take with the azithromycin right after breakfast
• B. Offer to obtain a new breakfast tray in an hour so the client can take the azithromycin
• C. Instruct the client to eat his breakfast and take the azithromycin two hours after eating
• D. Tell the client to skip that day's dose and resume taking the azithromycin the next day

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Azithromycin should ideally be taken on an empty stomach; however, if taken after breakfast, it should not affect its efficacy. Instructing the client to eat his breakfast and take the azithromycin two hours after eating allows for proper absorption without compromising its effectiveness. Providing an antacid with azithromycin is not necessary in this case. Offering a new breakfast tray in an hour or skipping the dose is not the best course of action as it may lead to missed doses and potential effectiveness issues.

4. A male client with hypertension, who received new antihypertensive prescriptions at his last visit returns to the clinic two weeks later to evaluate his blood pressure (BP). His BP is 158/106 mmHg and he admits that he has not been taking the prescribed medication because the drugs make him feel bad. In explaining the need for hypertension control, the nurse should stress that an elevated BP places the client at risk for which pathophysiological condition?

• A. Stroke secondary to hemorrhage
• B. Acute kidney injury due to glomerular damage
• C. Heart block due to myocardial damage
• D. Blindness secondary to cataracts

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Stroke secondary to hemorrhage. Hypertension increases the risk of stroke due to the stress and damage it causes to blood vessels, which can lead to hemorrhage. Choice B is incorrect because acute kidney injury is more commonly associated with chronic uncontrolled hypertension, not acute elevations. Choice C is incorrect as heart block is not a direct consequence of hypertension. Choice D is incorrect as hypertension does not directly cause cataracts leading to blindness.

5. The client is assessing a client who was recently diagnosed with heart failure and is on a low-sodium diet. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. “I will use lemon juice and herbs for flavoring.”
• B. “I will not eat canned soups or frozen dinners.”
• C. “I can have salt substitutes to enhance the taste of my food.”
• D. “I will check the food labels for sodium content before buying.”

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Some salt substitutes can be high in potassium, which may not be suitable for clients with heart failure. Option A is correct as using lemon juice and herbs for flavoring is a good low-sodium alternative. Option B is also correct as canned soups and frozen dinners are typically high in sodium content. Option D is correct as checking food labels for sodium content is an essential part of managing a low-sodium diet. Therefore, the client's statement about using salt substitutes needs correction as it can introduce high levels of potassium, which may not be recommended for individuals with heart failure.

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