Nursing Elites

1. In a client with liver cirrhosis, which symptom would be most concerning during assessment?

• A. Jaundice
• B. Ascites
• C. Hepatomegaly
• D. Altered mental status

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Altered mental status would be the most concerning symptom in a client with liver cirrhosis. It may indicate hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication requiring immediate intervention. While jaundice, ascites, and hepatomegaly are common in liver cirrhosis, they do not directly correlate with the urgency and severity of hepatic encephalopathy as altered mental status does. Therefore, altered mental status takes priority for immediate attention and intervention.

2. A nurse observes a family member administer a rectal suppository by having the client lie on the left side for the administration. The family member pushed the suppository until the finger went up to the second knuckle. After 10 minutes, the client was told by the family member to turn to the right side. What is the appropriate comment for the nurse to make?

• A. Why don’t we now have the client turn back to the left side?
• B. That was done correctly. Did you have any problems with the insertion?
• C. Let’s check to see if the suppository is in far enough.
• D. Did you feel any stool in the intestinal tract?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the correct answer because the family member's actions in administering the rectal suppository were correct. Providing positive feedback and asking if there were any problems with the insertion is an appropriate response. Choice A is incorrect because there is no need to have the client turn back to the left side after the suppository has been administered. Choice C is incorrect as there is no indication that the suppository was not inserted correctly, so there is no need to check if it is in far enough. Choice D is incorrect because feeling stool in the intestinal tract is not relevant to the administration of a rectal suppository.

3. A client has a closed wound drainage system. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Avoid pressing the container down to create a vacuum
• B. Wear sterile gloves while handling the drainage system
• C. Reset the container with the drainage port closed
• D. Maintain the drain in a dependent position to facilitate drainage

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In a closed wound drainage system, it is essential to maintain the drain in a dependent position to allow for proper drainage. Gravity aids in the flow of drainage, preventing fluid backflow or pooling. Avoiding pressing the container down to create a vacuum (Choice A) is crucial as it can lead to complications in the system. Wearing sterile gloves (Choice B) is important for infection control when handling the drainage system. Resetting the container with the drainage port closed (Choice C) is incorrect as it can cause spillage and contamination of the surrounding area.

4. A client with a chest tube following thoracic surgery needs care. Which task should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel?

• A. Teach deep breathing and coughing to the client.
• B. Assist the client to select food choices from the menu.
• C. Evaluate the client’s response to pain medication.
• D. Monitor the characteristics of the client's chest tube drainage.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because assisting the client with food choices is a task that can be safely delegated to assistive personnel. This task does not require nursing judgment or specialized skills. Choices A, C, and D involve assessing the client's condition, response to treatment, and monitoring critical aspects of care, which are nursing responsibilities that necessitate specialized knowledge and judgment. Teaching deep breathing and coughing (A), evaluating pain medication response (C), and monitoring chest tube drainage (D) require a higher level of training and expertise that should be performed by the nurse.

5. A healthcare professional is calculating a client's fluid intake over the past 8 hr. Which of the following should the healthcare professional plan to document on the client's intake and output record as 120 mL of fluid?

• A. 8 oz of ice chips
• B. 8 oz of ice chips
• C. 1 cup of broth
• D. 1 cup of broth

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Choice A, '8 oz of ice chips,' is the correct answer. 8 oz is equivalent to approximately 240 mL, and since 1 oz is roughly equal to 30 mL, 8 oz would be approximately 240 mL. Since the question specifies 120 mL of fluid, this option does not match. Choices C and D, '1 cup of broth,' do not equate to 120 mL. A standard cup is approximately 240 mL, which is double the amount mentioned in the question. Therefore, choice A is the most accurate representation of 120 mL of fluid intake.

Similar Questions