Nursing Elites

1. A nurse assesses a client who has a radial artery catheter. Which assessment should the nurse complete first?

• A. . Amount of pressure in fluid container
• B. Date of catheter tubing change
• C. Percent of heparin in infusion container
• D. . Presence of an ulnar pulse

Correct answer: D

Rationale:

2. The physician has ordered a peripheral IV to be inserted before the patient goes for computed tomography. What should the nurse do when selecting a site on the hand or arm for insertion of an IV catheter?

• A. Choose a hairless site if available.
• B. Consider potential effects on the patients mobility when selecting a site.
• C. Have the patient briefly hold his arm over his head before insertion
• D. Leave the tourniquet on for at least 3 minutes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

3. You are an emergency-room nurse caring for a trauma patient. Your patient has the following arterial blood gas results: pH 7.26, PaCO2 28, HCO3 11 mEq/L. How would you interpret these results?

• A. Respiratory acidosis with no compensation
• B. Metabolic alkalosis with a compensatory alkalosis
• C. Metabolic acidosis with no compensation
• D. Metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A low pH indicates acidosis (normal pH is 7.35 to 7.45). The PaCO2 is also low, which causes alkalosis. The bicarbonate is low, which causes acidosis. The pH bicarbonate more closely corresponds with a decrease in pH, making the metabolic component the primary problem. Therefore, the correct interpretation of the arterial blood gas results is metabolic acidosis with a compensatory respiratory alkalosis. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not accurately reflect the primary acid-base disturbance and the compensatory response seen in the given results.

4. A nurse is caring for a client with a peripheral vascular access device who is experiencing pain, redness, and swelling at the site. After removing the device, which action should the nurse take to relieve pain?

• A. Administer topical lidocaine to the site.
• B. Place warm compresses on the site.
• C. . Administer prescribed oral pain medication.
• D. Massage the site with scented oils.

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

5. A nurse is assessing a client with hypokalemia and notes that the client's handgrip strength has diminished since the previous assessment 1 hour ago. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth.
• B. Measure the client's pulse and blood pressure.
• C. Document findings and monitor the client.
• D. Call the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a client with hypokalemia experiencing diminished handgrip strength, the priority action for the nurse is to assess the client's respiratory rate, rhythm, and depth. Hypokalemia can lead to muscle weakness, including respiratory muscles, potentially causing respiratory distress. Assessing the respiratory status is crucial to determine if immediate interventions are needed to maintain adequate oxygenation. Measuring the client's pulse and blood pressure (Choice B) is important but should come after assessing the respiratory status. Simply documenting findings and monitoring the client (Choice C) may delay necessary interventions. Calling the healthcare provider (Choice D) is not the first action indicated in this situation; assessing the client's respiratory status takes precedence.

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