A client with dysphagia is ready to eat lunch. Which of these foods on the tray would be best to start with when assisting the client?

A. diced fruit

B. apple juice with a liquid thickener

C. Jell-O™

D. toast

Correct Answer: apple juice with a liquid thickener
Rationale: The correct choice is apple juice with a liquid thickener. A client with dysphagia is at risk for aspiration, so it is crucial to start with liquids and assess the client's ability to swallow before introducing solid foods. Using a liquid thickener with apple juice allows the healthcare provider to evaluate swallowing function. Jell-O™, although it melts into a clear liquid, should be avoided initially as it may not provide a clear assessment of swallowing ability. Diced fruit and toast are solid foods that should be introduced only after the client's swallowing ability with liquids has been assessed.

The LPN is preparing to clean a client’s PEG tube. Which of the following tasks should the nurse perform?

• A. Gently remove crusty drainage from the site.
• B. Pull the tube in multiple directions to ensure it is secure.
• C. Thoroughly dry the skin around the tube site with a clean towel.
• D. Use mild soap to clean around the tube site.

Correct Answer: A, C, D
Rationale: When cleaning a client's PEG tube, the nurse should perform tasks that focus on gentle cleaning and avoiding potential irritants. Choice A is correct as gently removing crusty drainage helps maintain hygiene. Choice C is important to prevent skin irritation and infection. Choice D is appropriate for cleaning the area. Choices B and D are incorrect. Choice B is incorrect because pulling the tube in multiple directions can lead to dislodgement or injury. Choice B is incorrect as talcum powder may irritate the stoma, and it is generally not recommended near PEG tubes.

When caring for clients with Buck’s Traction, the major areas of importance should be:

• A. nutrition, elimination, comfort, safety
• B. ROM exercises, transportation
• C. nutrition, elimination, comfort, safety
• D. elimination, safety, isotonic exercises

Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When caring for clients with Buck’s Traction, the major areas of importance should be nutrition, elimination, comfort, and safety. Proper nutrition, including a diet high in protein with adequate fluids, is essential for healing and recovery. Elimination refers to maintaining regular bowel and bladder function. Comfort is crucial to ensure the patient's well-being while in traction, and safety measures should be followed to prevent complications. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. ROM exercises are not typically a primary concern with Buck’s Traction, making choices A and B incorrect. Isotonic exercises are not specifically related to the care of a client in Buck's Traction, making choice D incorrect.

A nurse who works in a medical care unit is told that she must float to the intensive care unit because of a short-staffing problem on that unit. The nurse reports to the unit and is assigned to three clients. The nurse is angry with the assignment because she believes that the assignment is more difficult than the assignment delegated to other nurses on the unit and because the intensive care unit nurses are each assigned only one client. The nurse should most appropriately take which action?

• A. Refuse to do the assignment
• B. Tell the nurse manager to call the nursing supervisor
• C. Return to the medical care unit and discuss the assignment with the nurse manager on that unit
• D. Ask the nurse manager of the intensive care unit to discuss the assignment

Correct Answer: Ask the nurse manager of the intensive care unit to discuss the assignment
Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse feeling that the assignment is more difficult than what other nurses received should approach the nurse manager of the intensive care unit to discuss the assignment. By doing so, the nurse can seek clarification on the rationale for the assignment or confirm if it is genuinely more challenging. Refusing the assignment is not appropriate as it could impact patient care. Returning to the medical care unit would be considered client abandonment and does not directly address the conflict at hand. Instructing the nurse manager to involve the nursing supervisor is an aggressive approach that does not directly resolve the issue.

In which situation is the nurse upholding the ethical principle of fidelity?

• A. Providing complete information regarding treatment options to a client with newly diagnosed cancer
• B. Allowing a client to decide when to receive daily hygiene care
• C. Inserting a 19-gauge intravenous catheter into a client requiring a blood transfusion
• D. Contacting the health care provider about the client’s request to incorporate complementary therapies for pain into the treatment plan

Correct Answer: Contacting the health care provider about the client’s request to incorporate complementary therapies for pain into the treatment plan
Rationale: Fidelity is the ethical principle of keeping promises made to clients, families, and other healthcare professionals. Contacting the health care provider about the client’s request to incorporate complementary therapies for pain into the treatment plan exemplifies fidelity. By advocating for the client's preferences and ensuring their requests are addressed, the nurse demonstrates a commitment to fulfilling promises made to the client. Allowing a client to decide when to receive daily hygiene care relates to respecting autonomy, not fidelity. Inserting a 19-gauge intravenous catheter into a client needing a blood transfusion aligns with beneficence, as it involves taking action to provide necessary treatment. Providing complete information to a client with newly diagnosed cancer about treatment options reflects justice, promoting fairness and equity in healthcare by offering equal access to information and treatment choices.