Nursing Elites

1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is receiving oxygen at 2 liters per minute by nasal cannula. The client develops respiratory distress and the nurse increases the oxygen to 4 liters per minute. Shortly afterward, the client becomes lethargic and confused. What action should the nurse take first?

• A. Reposition the nasal cannula
• B. Lower the oxygen rate
• C. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe
• D. Monitor the client's oxygen saturation level

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the client with COPD receiving increased oxygen is experiencing oxygen toxicity, leading to lethargy and confusion. Lowering the oxygen rate is the priority action to prevent further harm. Repositioning the nasal cannula, encouraging coughing and deep breathing, and monitoring oxygen saturation are all important interventions, but the immediate concern is to address the oxygen toxicity by lowering the oxygen rate.

2. A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving chemotherapy. Which intervention should the nurse include to manage the client's nausea?

• A. Administer an antiemetic before meals
• B. Provide frequent mouth care
• C. Encourage small, frequent meals
• D. Offer clear liquids

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering an antiemetic before meals is a crucial intervention to manage chemotherapy-induced nausea. Antiemetics are medications specifically designed to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting. By administering the antiemetic before meals, the nurse can help prevent the onset of nausea, allowing the client to eat more comfortably. Providing frequent mouth care (Choice B) is important for maintaining oral hygiene but does not directly address nausea. Encouraging small, frequent meals (Choice C) and offering clear liquids (Choice D) are generally recommended for clients experiencing nausea, but administering an antiemetic is a more targeted approach to specifically address and manage the symptom.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a client. Which action should the nurse take to reduce the client's risk of injury?

• A. Use a 1-inch needle
• B. Select a large muscle for the injection
• C. Aspirate for blood return before injecting
• D. Massage the injection site

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to aspirate for blood return before injecting. This action helps ensure that the needle is not in a blood vessel, reducing the risk of injury. Using a 1-inch needle (Choice A) is a standard length for intramuscular injections but does not directly reduce the risk of injury. Selecting a large muscle for the injection (Choice B) is important for proper medication absorption but does not directly reduce the risk of injury. Massaging the injection site (Choice D) can help with medication absorption but does not reduce the risk of injury.

4. Which assessment finding is most indicative of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a client's right leg?

• A. Dorsiflexes the right foot and left on command
• B. A 3 by 5 cm ecchymosis area covering the right calf
• C. Right calf is 3 cm larger in circumference than the left
• D. Bilateral lower extremity has 3+ pitting edema

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because a significant increase in the circumference of the right calf compared to the left calf is a classic sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Option A is incorrect as dorsiflexing the right foot and left on command does not specifically indicate DVT. Option B describes an ecchymosis area which is more indicative of a bruise rather than DVT. Option D suggests bilateral lower extremity edema, which is not specific to DVT and can be seen in various conditions such as heart failure or renal issues.

5. The husband and adult children of a woman who abuses alcohol ask the nurse what approach to use when her drinking behavior disrupts family plans. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?

• A. Destroy any hidden supplies of alcohol she has at home so she has to stay sober
• B. When she drinks, communicate how disruptive her behaviors are and the burden they inflict on the family
• C. Make her responsible for the consequences of her drinking behaviors
• D. Include her in family activities whether she is drinking or sober

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The best approach for the nurse to suggest is to make the woman responsible for the consequences of her drinking behaviors. By holding her accountable, she is more likely to recognize the impact of her actions and potentially initiate change. Destroying hidden alcohol supplies (Choice A) might lead to conflict and further secretive behavior. Simply communicating the disruptions caused by her drinking (Choice B) may not effectively address the issue. Including her in family activities regardless of her drinking status (Choice D) could enable the behavior and not address the underlying problem.

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