Nursing Elites

1. A client's blood pressure reading is 156/94 mm Hg. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Inform the client that the blood pressure is high and compare the reading with the client's previously documented blood pressure readings for accuracy.
• B. Contact the health care provider to report the reading and obtain a prescription for an antihypertensive medication.
• C. Replace the cuff with a larger one to ensure a proper fit for the client and increase arm comfort during blood pressure measurement.
• D. Compare the current reading with the client's previously documented blood pressure readings.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take first when a client's blood pressure reading is 156/94 mm Hg is to compare the current reading with the client's previously documented readings. This comparison helps determine whether the current reading is abnormal for the client. Option A, which involves informing the client that the blood pressure is high and comparing it with the previous readings, is appropriate as it educates the client and aids in accurate assessment. Option B, contacting the health care provider for medication, is premature without further assessment. Option C, replacing the cuff with a larger one, is incorrect as it may affect the accuracy of the blood pressure measurement and is not a standard practice for managing high blood pressure readings.

2. Which serum laboratory value should the nurse monitor carefully for a client who has a nasogastric (NG) tube to suction for the past week?

• A. White blood cell count
• B. Albumin
• C. Calcium
• D. Sodium

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client's serum sodium levels carefully when they have been on nasogastric (NG) tube suction for an extended period. Prolonged NG suctioning can lead to fluid loss and subsequent hyponatremia. Monitoring sodium levels is crucial to prevent complications. White blood cell count (Option A), albumin (Option B), and calcium (Option C) are not typically affected by prolonged NG suctioning. Therefore, these values are not the priority for monitoring in this situation.

3. The nurse evaluates the client's progress and determines that one of the nursing diagnoses on the client's care plan has been resolved. How should the nurse document this so that it is best communicated to the healthcare team?

• A. Use Liquid PaperTM to 'white out' the resolved diagnosis on the care plan
• B. Recopy the care plan without the resolved diagnosis
• C. Write a nursing progress note indicating that the outcome goals have been achieved
• D. Draw a single line through the diagnosis on the care plan and write the nurse's initials and date

Correct answer: D

Rationale: To discontinue a diagnosis once it has been resolved, cross it off with a single line or highlight it, then write initials and date. Some agency forms may require the nurse to put date and initials in a 'Date Resolved' column. Using Liquid PaperTM is not a legal way to amend client records as it can obscure the original documentation. Recopying the care plan without the resolved diagnosis can lead to confusion and inaccuracies in the client's record. Writing a nursing progress note indicating that the outcome goals have been achieved is important but should not be the sole method used to communicate the resolution of a nursing diagnosis. Drawing a single line through the resolved diagnosis on the care plan and documenting the nurse's initials and date is the most effective way to communicate the resolution of a nursing diagnosis to the healthcare team.

4. The primary health care provider tells a mother that her newborn has multiple visible birth defects. The mother seems composed and asks to see her baby. Which nursing action will be most helpful in easing the mother's stress when she sees her child for the first time?

• A. Bringing the infant as requested before she changes her mind
• B. Describing how the infant looks before bringing the infant to her
• C. Staying with her after bringing the infant to help her verbalize her feelings
• D. Showing the mother pictures of the birth defects, then bringing the infant to her

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Allowing the mother time to verbalize her feelings and providing support when she sees her newborn with birth defects for the first time is crucial. Staying with her allows for immediate emotional support, acceptance, and understanding, which can help ease her stress. Bringing the infant as requested without proper emotional support may overwhelm the mother. Describing the infant's appearance before she sees the baby might not be accurate and could add to her distress. Showing pictures of the birth defects before the mother sees her baby may not be helpful and could increase her anxiety. Engaging in discussions about treatment at this point may be premature and overwhelming for the mother.

5. When emptying 350 mL of pale yellow urine from a client's urinal, the nurse notes that this is the first time the client has voided in 4 hours. Which action should the nurse take next?

• A. Record the amount on the client's fluid output record.
• B. Encourage the client to increase oral fluid intake.
• C. Notify the healthcare provider of the findings.
• D. Palpate the client's bladder for distention.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take next is to record the amount of urine output on the client's fluid output record. The urine color and volume are within normal limits, indicating adequate hydration. There is no indication of a need to encourage increased oral fluid intake or notify the healthcare provider as the findings are normal. Palpating the client's bladder for distention is unnecessary in this scenario since the client has successfully voided a normal amount of urine after 4 hours.

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