Nursing Elites

1. A female client on the mental health unit tells the nurse that her roommate is sitting on the bathroom floor with superficial cuts on her wrists. The nurse cleans and assesses the client's wrists and asks what happened. She doesn't respond. What should the nurse do next?

• A. Find supplies to put a dressing on the client's wrists
• B. Take the client to a room for supervision by staff
• C. Call the healthcare provider to report the client's behavior
• D. Go find a staff member to stay in the room with the client

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should prioritize the safety of the client. Taking the client to a room for supervision by staff is crucial to ensure immediate safety and further assessment of the client's condition. While cleaning and assessing the client's wrists are important, ensuring ongoing safety and monitoring by staff is the priority. Calling the healthcare provider at this moment may cause delays in providing immediate assistance. Finding supplies to put a dressing on the client's wrists can wait until the client is in a safe environment. Therefore, option B is the best course of action to address the client's safety needs promptly.

2. The nurse is assessing a client who has a new cast on the left arm. Which finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?

• A. Client reports itching under the cast
• B. Client reports pain at the cast site
• C. Client reports swelling of the fingers
• D. Client reports warmth over the casted area

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Swelling of the fingers can indicate compromised circulation, which is a serious concern in a client with a new cast. It could suggest the development of compartment syndrome, a condition where increased pressure within the muscles can lead to impaired blood flow. This can result in tissue damage and should be addressed promptly. Itching under the cast, pain at the cast site, and warmth over the casted area are common findings after cast application and may not necessarily indicate an urgent issue requiring immediate reporting to the healthcare provider.

3. A client is leaving the hospital against medical advice (AMA) and voluntarily signs the AMA form. Which nursing action is essential prior to the client leaving?

• A. Remove the client's peripheral IV access
• B. Administer requested pain relief medication
• C. Obtain the client's neurological vital signs
• D. Provide the client with the hospital's phone number

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Removing the client's peripheral IV access is essential before the client leaves against medical advice to prevent complications such as infection, thrombosis, or bleeding. Administering pain relief medication (choice B) can be important but not essential at this point. Obtaining neurological vital signs (choice C) is not specifically required before the client leaves. Providing the client with the hospital's phone number (choice D) may be helpful but is not as essential as ensuring the safe removal of IV access.

4. A primigravida at term comes to the prenatal clinic and tells the nurse that she is having contractions every 5 min. The nurse monitors the client for one hour, using an external fetal monitor, and determines that the client’s contractions are 7 to 15 minutes apart, lasting 20 to 30 seconds, with mild intensity by palpation. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Tell the client to go directly to the hospital for admission to labor and delivery for active labor
• B. Send the client home and instruct her to call the clinic when her contractions occur 5 minutes apart for one hour
• C. Tell the client to check into the hospital within the next hour for evaluation of possible urinary tract infection
• D. Advise the client to rest and hydrate, then return if contractions become more regular

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The client should be instructed to call when contractions are 5 minutes apart for an hour to ensure she is in active labor before going to the hospital.

5. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescription for metoprolol (Lopressor). Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider before administering the medication?

• A. Heart rate of 50 beats per minute
• B. Blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg
• C. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths per minute
• D. Temperature of 99°F (37.2°C)

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A heart rate of 50 beats per minute is a concerning finding that should be reported before administering metoprolol. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can further lower the heart rate, so a heart rate of 50 bpm indicates potential bradycardia, which is a contraindication for administering this medication. Choices B, C, and D are within normal ranges and do not pose immediate concerns related to metoprolol administration.

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