Nursing Elites

1. A health care provider asks the nurse to administer a medication with a dosage significantly higher than usual. What is the nurse's first action?

• A. Administer the medication as ordered.
• B. Question the provider and verify the dose.
• C. Administer half the dosage as a precaution.
• D. Refuse to administer the medication without clarification.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a health care provider orders a medication with a dosage significantly higher than usual, the nurse's initial action should be to question the provider and verify the dose. This is crucial to ensure patient safety and prevent medication errors. Administering the medication as ordered (Choice A) without clarification could potentially harm the patient if there was an error in the prescription. Administering half the dosage as a precaution (Choice C) is not a safe practice as it deviates from the prescribed order. Refusing to administer the medication without clarification (Choice D) is important, but the first step should be to seek clarification from the provider to prevent any unnecessary delays in patient care.

2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. The amount available is digoxin 0.125 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?

• A. 1
• B. 2
• C. 3
• D. 4

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 2. To achieve the prescribed dose of 0.25 mg of digoxin, the nurse should administer two 0.125 mg tablets. This calculation ensures that the patient receives the correct amount of medication. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not reflect the accurate dosage needed based on the available tablets and prescribed dose.

3. What should be done to manage a patient with contact precautions?

• A. Wear a mask, gown, and gloves for all patient interactions.
• B. Ensure that visitors wear protective equipment.
• C. Dedicate all patient care equipment to that patient.
• D. Disinfect shared equipment before use.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When managing a patient with contact precautions, it is essential to dedicate all patient care equipment to that specific patient. This practice helps minimize the risk of spreading infections to other patients. Choice A, wearing protective gear for all patient interactions, is a general precaution but not specific to managing a patient with contact precautions. Choice B, ensuring visitors wear protective equipment, is important for infection control but not directly related to managing the patient with contact precautions. Choice D, disinfecting shared equipment before use, is a good practice for infection control in general but does not address the specific needs of a patient under contact precautions.

4. A nurse is teaching a client about levothyroxine for primary hypothyroidism. Which of the following statements should the nurse use when teaching the client?

• A. Take this medication until your symptoms are gone and then discontinue
• B. Symptoms improve immediately after starting the medication
• C. The medication decreases the overproduction of the thyroid hormone thyroxine
• D. Tremors, nervousness, and insomnia may indicate your dose is too high

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Tremors, nervousness, and insomnia indicate that the dose may be too high, requiring a dose adjustment.

5. Which factor places a patient at the highest risk for infection?

• A. A healthy immune system
• B. Presence of chronic illness
• C. Being well-nourished
• D. Age over 65 years

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The presence of chronic illness is the factor that places a patient at the highest risk for infection. Chronic illness can compromise the immune system's ability to fight off infections effectively, making individuals more susceptible to getting sick. Option A, a healthy immune system, actually reduces the risk of infection. Option C, being well-nourished, can support overall health but does not directly correlate with infection risk. While age over 65 years is a risk factor for certain infections due to age-related immune system changes, chronic illness has a more significant impact on infection risk.

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