Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare provider orders a medication dose three times higher than usual. What is the nurse's first step?

• A. Administer the medication but monitor the patient closely.
• B. Verify the dosage with the prescribing provider.
• C. Administer a lower dose to minimize the risk.
• D. Hold the medication and wait for further clarification.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Verify the dosage with the prescribing provider. When faced with an unusual medication dose, the nurse's initial action should be to confirm the order with the healthcare provider who prescribed it. This step is crucial to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because administering the medication without clarification, administering a lower dose without approval, or holding the medication without consulting the provider can all pose risks to the patient's well-being.

2. What is the priority action for a patient with a fever?

• A. Administer an antipyretic medication as prescribed.
• B. Assess the patient's temperature regularly.
• C. Provide cooling measures such as a cool compress.
• D. Provide the patient with blankets for comfort.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority action when a patient has a fever is to assess the patient's temperature regularly. Monitoring the temperature helps track the effectiveness of interventions and detect any worsening fever. Administering antipyretic medication (Choice A) should be done based on healthcare provider's orders after assessing the patient's condition. While providing cooling measures such as a cool compress (Choice C) can help reduce fever, assessing the temperature takes precedence. Providing blankets for comfort (Choice D) is not the priority when dealing with a fever.

3. A patient is being treated for dehydration. Which lab result would support the diagnosis?

• A. Elevated hemoglobin
• B. Low sodium level
• C. High white blood cell count
• D. Elevated BUN

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Elevated BUN levels are a characteristic finding in dehydration due to reduced kidney perfusion and increased reabsorption of urea. Hemoglobin levels might be elevated in conditions like polycythemia vera, not directly related to dehydration. A low sodium level could be seen in conditions like hyponatremia. A high white blood cell count is more indicative of infection or inflammation rather than dehydration.

4. A nurse is developing a plan of care for an older adult who is at risk for falls. Which of the following actions should the nurse include?

• A. Lock beds and wheelchairs when not in use
• B. Administer a sedative at bedtime
• C. Provide information about home safety checks
• D. Teach balance and strengthening exercises

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to include in the plan of care for an older adult at risk for falls is to lock beds and wheelchairs when not in use. This measure is crucial for preventing falls and ensuring patient safety in healthcare settings. Administering sedatives at bedtime (Choice B) is not recommended as it does not address the underlying risk factors for falls and may increase the risk of injury. Providing information about home safety checks (Choice C) is important for fall prevention in the home environment but is not directly related to healthcare settings. Teaching balance and strengthening exercises (Choice D) is beneficial for fall prevention but may not be suitable for all older adults at risk for falls, especially in acute care settings.

5. A nurse manager is planning client assignments for the day. Which client should the nurse assign to the nursing assistant?

• A. A client who needs help ambulating.
• B. A client who requires complex wound care.
• C. A client who needs intravenous antibiotics.
• D. A client who is NPO and requires IV hydration.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because ambulating a client is a non-invasive task that can be safely and effectively performed by a nursing assistant. Choice B is incorrect as complex wound care requires specialized skills usually performed by licensed nurses. Choice C involves administering intravenous antibiotics, which also requires a higher level of training and assessment skills than a nursing assistant possesses. Choice D, involving a client who is NPO and requires IV hydration, may involve further assessments and monitoring that are beyond the scope of a nursing assistant.

Similar Questions