Nursing Elites

1. A client who has recently developed fever, confusion, and a decreased level of consciousness is being admitted by a nurse. What should the nurse do first after obtaining the client's history and assessment?

• A. Administer prescribed antibiotics
• B. Initiate seizure precautions
• C. Identify the client's needs
• D. Place the client in isolation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to identify the client's needs first. This allows the nurse to prioritize interventions based on the assessment findings. Administering prescribed antibiotics (choice A) should be based on a medical prescription and the identified infection. Initiating seizure precautions (choice B) is important but not the immediate priority in this case. Placing the client in isolation (choice D) is premature as the nurse needs to first assess and address the client's condition.

2. A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a client. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Percuss the abdomen
• B. Inspect the abdomen
• C. Auscultate before palpation
• D. Palpate the abdomen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to auscultate before palpation. This ensures that bowel sounds are not altered by physical manipulation. Inspecting the abdomen is a valid step but not the first. Percussing and palpating should come after auscultation to prevent altering bowel sounds or causing discomfort to the client.

3. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What instruction should the nurse include to help improve oxygenation?

• A. Avoid physical activity
• B. Use pursed-lip breathing during activities
• C. Limit sun exposure
• D. Perform weight-bearing exercises

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Use pursed-lip breathing during activities.' Pursed-lip breathing improves oxygenation by keeping airways open longer, facilitating better exhalation of carbon dioxide. Choice A is incorrect because avoiding physical activity can lead to deconditioning and worsen oxygenation. Choice C is irrelevant to improving oxygenation in COPD. Choice D is not directly related to improving oxygenation in COPD; weight-bearing exercises are important for bone health but not for oxygenation.

4. A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What finding should the nurse expect?

• A. Increased breath sounds
• B. Flushed skin
• C. Nasal flaring
• D. Decreased respiratory rate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Flushed skin. Flushed skin is a common finding in clients with COPD who are experiencing dyspnea. Increased breath sounds (choice A) are not typically associated with COPD; they may indicate conditions like pneumonia. Nasal flaring (choice C) is more commonly seen in respiratory distress in pediatric patients. Decreased respiratory rate (choice D) is not a typical finding in COPD and could indicate respiratory depression.

5. A nurse is preparing to perform a routine abdominal assessment for a client. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Palpate the abdomen before auscultation
• B. Inspect the abdomen after palpation
• C. Auscultate before palpation
• D. Start by percussing the abdomen

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to auscultate before palpation when performing an abdominal assessment. This sequence is crucial to prevent altering bowel sounds. Starting with palpation (Choice A) can lead to false interpretations of bowel sounds due to stimulation of the intestines. Inspecting the abdomen after palpation (Choice B) can also potentially alter the assessment findings. Starting with percussion (Choice D) is not recommended as it should come after auscultation to further assess underlying structures.

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