Nursing Elites

1. A nurse in an acute care facility is caring for a client who is postop following abdominal surgery. Which behavior should the nurse identify as increasing the client's risk for constipation?

• A. Increased physical activity
• B. Frequent urge suppression
• C. Increased fiber intake
• D. Decreased fluid intake

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Frequent urge suppression can lead to constipation, especially postoperatively. Suppressing the urge to defecate can disrupt normal bowel movements and result in constipation. Increased physical activity, increased fiber intake, and adequate fluid intake are measures that typically help prevent constipation by promoting bowel regularity and preventing stool hardening. Therefore, choices A, C, and D are not behaviors that increase the client's risk for constipation.

2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Administer the medication with a straw
• B. Flush the NG tube with 30 mL of water before administration
• C. Crush all medications together
• D. Mix the medication with pudding

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when administering medication to a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube is to flush the NG tube with 30 mL of water before administration. Flushing the tube with water helps ensure the patency of the tube and prevents clogging. Choice A is incorrect because administering the medication with a straw is not a recommended practice for NG tube administration. Choice C is incorrect because crushing all medications together may lead to potential drug interactions. Choice D is incorrect because mixing the medication with pudding is not a standard method for administering medication through an NG tube.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer enteral feedings to a client with an NG tube. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
• B. Verify tube placement
• C. Elevate the head of the bed
• D. Measure the residual gastric volume

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the priority action the nurse should take before administering enteral feedings. This step ensures that the NG tube is correctly positioned, reducing the risk of complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Flushing the tube with water, elevating the head of the bed, and measuring residual gastric volume are important steps in enteral feeding administration but come after verifying tube placement. Flushing the tube with water helps clear the tubing, elevating the head of the bed reduces the risk of aspiration, and measuring residual gastric volume helps assess the client's tolerance to feedings.

4. A nurse in an emergency department is monitoring the hydration status of a client receiving oral rehydration. What finding should the nurse intervene for?

• A. Heart rate of 80 beats per minute
• B. Heart rate of 120 beats per minute
• C. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
• D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A heart rate of 120 beats per minute indicates tachycardia, which can be a sign of dehydration and requires intervention. A heart rate of 80 beats per minute is within the normal range and does not indicate dehydration. A blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg is considered normal. A respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute is also within the normal range and does not point towards dehydration.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous enteral feedings. What finding indicates intolerance to the feeding?

• A. Weight gain
• B. Nausea
• C. Constipation
• D. Elevated heart rate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Nausea is a common sign of intolerance to enteral feedings and should be addressed promptly. Weight gain is not typically associated with intolerance to enteral feedings; instead, it may indicate other issues such as fluid retention. Constipation is also not a direct indicator of intolerance to enteral feedings. While an elevated heart rate can occur for various reasons, it is less specific to enteral feeding intolerance compared to nausea.

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