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. A patient on mechanical ventilation experiences a sudden drop in oxygen saturation. What should the nurse check first?

• A. Check the ventilator tubing for disconnection.
• B. Increase the patient's oxygen flow.
• C. Perform a full physical assessment.
• D. Reassess the patient's oxygen levels after 5 minutes.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to check the ventilator tubing for disconnection first when a patient on mechanical ventilation experiences a sudden drop in oxygen saturation. This is crucial because equipment malfunction, such as tubing disconnection, can lead to decreased oxygen delivery, resulting in a drop in oxygen saturation. Checking the tubing ensures that the ventilation system is functioning properly and that the patient is receiving the necessary oxygen. Option B is incorrect because increasing oxygen flow without checking for equipment issues may not address the root cause of the drop in saturation. Option C is not the priority in this situation as the immediate focus should be on assessing and ensuring the functioning of the ventilation equipment. Option D delays addressing the potential equipment malfunction, which could worsen the patient's condition if not promptly resolved.

3. A nurse sees another nurse administering medication without using alcohol swabs. What is the first action the nurse should take?

• A. Ignore the situation to maintain a good working relationship.
• B. Report the behavior to the nurse manager.
• C. Ask the colleague to be more careful next time.
• D. Report the issue after speaking to other colleagues.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when witnessing unsafe medication administration practices, such as not using alcohol swabs, is to report the behavior to the nurse manager immediately. Patient safety is the top priority, and any actions that compromise it must be addressed promptly. Ignoring the situation (Choice A) is not appropriate as it puts patients at risk. Asking the colleague to be more careful (Choice C) may not be effective in ensuring immediate correction of the unsafe practice. Reporting the issue after speaking to other colleagues (Choice D) delays necessary action and may compromise patient safety further.

4. A client had a left hip arthroplasty. Which of the following interventions should the nurse use to prevent dislocation?

• A. Maintain foam wedge between legs
• B. Monitor for shortening of the affected leg
• C. Encourage use of elastic stockings
• D. Avoid flexing the hips more than 60 degrees

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to maintain a foam wedge between the legs. This intervention helps prevent hip dislocation by maintaining proper leg alignment after surgery. Monitoring for shortening of the affected leg (choice B) is not directly related to preventing dislocation. Encouraging the use of elastic stockings (choice C) is more related to preventing deep vein thrombosis rather than dislocation. Avoiding flexing the hips more than 60 degrees (choice D) is important post-surgery, but it is not the most direct intervention to prevent dislocation.

5. How can a healthcare professional help prevent pressure ulcers in an immobile patient?

• A. Ensuring proper nutrition and hydration
• B. Using moisture barriers to protect the skin
• C. Turning the patient every 2 hours to prevent pressure
• D. Providing special mattresses or padding

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Ensuring proper nutrition and hydration is crucial in preventing pressure ulcers in immobile patients. Adequate nutrition supports tissue health and repair, while hydration helps maintain skin elasticity. While turning the patient every 2 hours is important to prevent pressure injuries, it is not the primary way to address prevention. Using moisture barriers and providing special mattresses or padding are essential components of pressure ulcer prevention, but they are not as fundamental as ensuring proper nutrition and hydration.

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