Nursing Elites

1. A client with emphysema reports shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Administer oxygen therapy.
• B. Assess the client’s respiratory rate and effort.
• C. Prepare the client for intubation.
• D. Increase the client's oxygen flow rate.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Shortness of breath in a client with emphysema may indicate respiratory distress. Assessing the client’s respiratory rate and effort is the first priority to determine the severity of the distress and guide appropriate interventions. Administering oxygen therapy (Choice A) could be necessary, but assessing the client first is crucial to tailor the intervention. Intubation (Choice C) is an invasive procedure that is not the initial priority. Increasing oxygen flow rate (Choice D) should only be done after a thorough assessment to avoid potential harm.

2. A client is receiving IV antibiotic therapy for sepsis. Which assessment finding indicates that the client's condition is improving?

• A. Urine output increases to 25 mL/hour
• B. Client reports feeling less fatigued
• C. Heart rate decreases from 120 to 110 beats per minute
• D. White blood cell count decreases from 15,000 to 9,000/mm3

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A decrease in white blood cell count indicates that the infection is responding to treatment, making this the most objective indicator of improvement in a client with sepsis. Choices A, B, and C are subjective indicators and may not always directly correlate with the resolution of the underlying infection. While an increase in urine output, a client reporting feeling less fatigued, and a decrease in heart rate are positive signs, they are not as specific or directly related to the resolution of the infection as a decrease in white blood cell count.

3. The healthcare provider is performing a physical assessment on a client who just had an endotracheal tube inserted. Which finding would call for immediate action by the healthcare provider?

• A. Breath sounds are audible bilaterally
• B. Mist is visible in the T-piece
• C. Pulse oximetry of 88
• D. Client is unable to verbalize

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A pulse oximetry reading of 88 indicates hypoxia, which is a serious condition requiring immediate intervention. Adequate oxygenation is crucial for the client's well-being. Choices A and B are normal findings after endotracheal intubation. Hearing bilateral breath sounds and seeing mist in the T-piece indicate proper functioning of the endotracheal tube. While choice D may indicate an issue with speaking due to the endotracheal tube, it is not as critical as the hypoxia indicated by the low pulse oximetry reading.

4. The nurse is caring for a client with a chest tube following surgery. The nurse should intervene if which of the following is observed?

• A. The chest tube is securely taped at the insertion site.
• B. The water seal chamber is filled to the correct level.
• C. The chest drainage system is below chest level.
• D. There are no air leaks in the system.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The chest drainage system should always be kept below chest level to ensure proper drainage. Having the system above chest level can result in ineffective drainage. Choices A, B, and D are all correct actions to maintain the integrity and functionality of the chest tube system. Securing the chest tube at the insertion site, maintaining the water seal chamber at the correct level, and ensuring there are no air leaks are all essential components of caring for a client with a chest tube post-surgery.

5. While caring for a client's postoperative dressing, the nurse observes purulent drainage at the wound. Before reporting this finding to the healthcare provider, the nurse should review which of the client's laboratory values?

• A. White blood cell count
• B. Hemoglobin
• C. Serum creatinine
• D. Culture for sensitive organisms

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Purulent drainage suggests an infection at the wound site. Reviewing the culture and sensitivity results will guide appropriate antibiotic treatment by identifying the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities. Elevated white blood cells indicate infection but do not specify the organism. Creatinine and hemoglobin values are unrelated to wound infections.

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