Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is assessing a client who has chronic pain. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Hyperthermia
• D. Depression

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Depression. Chronic pain is often associated with psychological effects like depression. Patients with chronic pain may experience feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair, which are characteristic of depression. While chronic pain can lead to changes in vital signs like increased blood pressure and heart rate, hypotension, tachycardia, or hyperthermia are not typically expected findings solely due to chronic pain. Therefore, the healthcare professional should be alert to signs of depression in clients with chronic pain and address these psychological impacts appropriately.

2. A client is experiencing dysphagia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Provide small food pieces.
• B. Offer thickened liquids.
• C. Encourage the client to sit upright after meals.
• D. Place food on the unaffected side of the mouth.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When caring for a client with dysphagia, placing food on the unaffected side of the mouth can help them chew and swallow more effectively. This technique can assist in minimizing the risk of aspiration and improve the client's ability to manage food safely. Providing small food pieces, offering thickened liquids, and encouraging the client to sit upright after meals are also important interventions in managing dysphagia, but placing food on the unaffected side of the mouth is a specific technique that directly addresses the swallowing difficulty associated with dysphagia.

3. A client has a pressure ulcer. Which of the following findings indicates healing of the ulcer?

• A. Increase in drainage.
• B. Decrease in size.
• C. Presence of foul odor.
• D. Reddened wound edges.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a pressure ulcer is healing, there is a decrease in its size as the tissue repair progresses. This reduction in size is a positive indication of the healing process. An increase in drainage, presence of foul odor, or reddened wound edges are typically signs of infection or lack of improvement. Therefore, the correct answer is a decrease in size.

4. When teaching a client about the proper use of a cane, which of the following instructions should be included?

• A. Hold the cane on the weaker side.
• B. Move the cane forward first.
• C. Keep the cane 12 inches away from the body.
• D. Use the cane for support only when climbing stairs.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When using a cane, it is crucial to move the cane forward first to provide support and enhance balance. Advancing the cane before the weaker or stronger leg helps widen the base of support, thereby improving stability during ambulation. Keeping the cane too far or too close to the body can affect its supportive function. Moreover, utilizing the cane solely for stair climbing limits its overall utility in maintaining balance and stability during regular walking.

5. What action should the healthcare provider take for a patient with a chest tube?

• A. Strip the drainage tubing every 4 hours.
• B. Keep the drainage system below the level of the patient's chest.
• C. Clamp the chest tube when ambulating the patient.
• D. Ensure the water seal chamber is filled to the prescribed level.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Ensuring the water seal chamber is filled to the prescribed level is essential for the chest tube's effective functioning. This maintains the integrity of the system, prevents air from entering the pleural space, and facilitates proper drainage. Stripping the drainage tubing, keeping the drainage system below the chest level, or clamping the chest tube during ambulation are not recommended practices and can lead to complications.

Similar Questions