Nursing Elites

1. When planning task assignments for five clients on the skilled nursing unit in a long-term care facility, which task should a licensed practical nurse (LPN) assign to another LPN?

• A. Bathing a client who is confused and requires assistance with a shower
• B. Administering regular insulin in accordance with a sliding-dosage scale every 4 hours to a client with diabetes mellitus
• C. Assisting a client requiring a bed bath and frequent ambulation with a cane
• D. Transporting a client who must be accompanied to physical therapy twice during the shift

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When assigning tasks, the nurse must consider the skills and educational level of the nursing staff. The nursing assistant may be assigned tasks like caring for a confused client, assisting with a shower or a bed bath, ambulating a client with a cane, and accompanying a client to physical therapy. The LPN is educated to administer medications like regular insulin in accordance with a sliding scale. This task requires a higher level of training and knowledge than the tasks that can be delegated to a nursing assistant. Administering insulin involves assessing blood glucose levels, calculating dosages, and understanding the effects of insulin therapy on the client's condition. Therefore, the correct answer is administering regular insulin to a client with diabetes mellitus. Choices A, C, and D involve tasks that are within the scope of practice of a nursing assistant, not an LPN.

2. The LPN is assisting the client with an NG tube with activities of daily living. Which of these statements would indicate a need for teaching reinforcement?

• A. "Since I'm not eating or drinking by mouth, I do not need to brush my teeth as often."?
• B. "I should remain sitting up at a 45-degree angle or higher for 30 minutes after a feeding."?
• C. "I can clean around the tube with water and mild soap."?
• D. "I should avoid using Vaseline around the nostril and tube."?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is, "Since I'm not eating or drinking by mouth, I do not need to brush my teeth as often."? This statement indicates a need for teaching reinforcement because even when an NG tube is in place, the client should still brush their teeth twice daily. Good oral hygiene is essential to reduce the risk of introducing bacteria that may cause an infection. Choice B is incorrect because remaining sitting up at a 45-degree angle or higher for 30 minutes after a feeding is a correct statement regarding NG tube care, promoting proper digestion and reducing the risk of aspiration. Choice C is also incorrect because cleaning around the tube with water and mild soap is an appropriate practice to maintain cleanliness and prevent infection. Choice D is incorrect because advising to avoid using Vaseline around the nostril and tube is a proper instruction to prevent skin breakdown, occlusion of the tube, and potential aspiration of Vaseline into the lungs.

3. The LPN is preparing to clean a client's PEG tube.The following tasks should the nurse perform EXCEPT?

• A. Gently remove crusty drainage from the site.
• B. Pull the tube in multiple directions to ensure it is secure.
• C. Thoroughly dry the skin around the tube site with a clean towel.
• D. Use mild soap to clean around the tube site.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When cleaning a client's PEG tube, the nurse should perform tasks that focus on gentle cleaning and avoiding potential irritants. Choice A is correct as gently removing crusty drainage helps maintain hygiene. Choice C is important to prevent skin irritation and infection. Choice D is appropriate for cleaning the area. Choices B and D are incorrect. Choice B is incorrect because pulling the tube in multiple directions can lead to dislodgement or injury. Choice B is incorrect as talcum powder may irritate the stoma, and it is generally not recommended near PEG tubes.

4. A nurse sees another nurse changing an intravenous (IV) solution because the wrong solution is infusing into the client. The nurse who changed the IV solution does not report the error. What should the nurse who observed the error do first?

• A. Report the nurse who changed the IV solution
• B. Document the error in the client's chart
• C. Call the client's health care provider
• D. Ask the nurse whether she intends to report the error

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The first thing the nurse who observed the error should do is ask the nurse whether she intends to report the error. Ensuring client safety is paramount, and all errors must be reported to the health care provider, but this is not the initial action. The client should also be assessed immediately. The nurse who discovered the error should complete an incident report and make appropriate documentation in the client's record. If the nurse who observed the error finds out that it will not be reported, it may be necessary to involve the supervisor. Therefore, the best course of action initially is to communicate with the nurse who made the error to understand her intentions regarding reporting.

5. When removing a client's gown with an intravenous line, what should the nurse do?

• A. temporarily disconnect the intravenous tubing at a point close to the client and thread it through the gown
• B. cut the gown with scissors
• C. thread the bag and tubing through the gown sleeve, keeping the line intact
• D. temporarily disconnect the tubing from the intravenous container and thread it through the gown

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action when removing a client's gown with an intravenous line is to thread the bag and tubing through the gown sleeve while keeping the line intact. This method ensures that the system remains sterile and reduces the risk of infection. Temporarily disconnecting the tubing at a point close to the client or from the container introduces the potential for contamination. Cutting the gown with scissors should only be done in emergencies as it is not a standard practice and can compromise the integrity of the intravenous line. Therefore, the most appropriate and safe method is to thread the bag and tubing through the gown sleeve.

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