Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a client who is 48 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Serosanguineous drainage on the surgical dressing.
• B. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F).
• C. Urine output of 75 mL in the past 4 hours.
• D. WBC count of 15,000/mm³.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. An elevated WBC count can indicate a potential infection, especially in a postoperative client. This finding should be reported to the provider for further evaluation and management. Choices A, B, and C are common occurrences in postoperative clients and may not necessarily indicate a severe issue. Serosanguineous drainage on the surgical dressing is a normal finding in the immediate postoperative period. A temperature of 37.8°C (100°F) can be a mild fever, which is common postoperatively due to the body's response to tissue injury. Urine output of 75 mL in the past 4 hours may be within normal limits for a postoperative client, especially if they are still recovering from anesthesia.

2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has osteoporosis. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Take a calcium supplement once daily.
• B. Walk for 30 minutes three times per week.
• C. Avoid weight-bearing exercises.
• D. Increase intake of vitamin D.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Walking regularly is beneficial for clients with osteoporosis as it helps maintain bone density and prevent fractures. Choice A is not the most appropriate because clients with osteoporosis often require more than just calcium supplements. Choice C is incorrect as weight-bearing exercises actually help strengthen bones. Choice D is important, but walking regularly has a more direct impact on bone health in clients with osteoporosis.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer an IM injection to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Massage the injection site after administering the medication.
• B. Insert the needle at a 45° angle.
• C. Use a Z-track technique to administer the injection.
• D. Aspirate for blood before injecting the medication.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Use a Z-track technique to administer the injection.' When administering IM injections, using a Z-track technique helps prevent medication from leaking into subcutaneous tissues. This technique involves pulling the skin laterally, injecting the medication deeply into the muscle, and then releasing the skin. Choice A is incorrect because massaging the injection site after administering the medication can lead to increased blood flow and potential leakage of the medication. Choice B is incorrect as the needle should typically be inserted at a 90° angle for IM injections to ensure proper delivery into the muscle. Choice D is incorrect as aspirating for blood before injecting the medication is not routinely recommended for IM injections.

4. A client with heart failure is being educated by a nurse about fluid restrictions. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Limit your fluid intake to 3 liters per day.
• B. Increase your fluid intake to 5 liters per day.
• C. Avoid drinking more than 1 liter of fluid per day.
• D. You can drink as much fluid as you want during meals.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: "Avoid drinking more than 1 liter of fluid per day." Clients with heart failure are typically advised to limit their fluid intake to around 1 liter per day to prevent fluid overload, which can worsen their condition. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because they suggest fluid intakes that are higher than the recommended limit, which could lead to fluid retention and exacerbate heart failure symptoms.

5. A client has deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Administer thrombolytics as prescribed.
• B. Massage the affected extremity every 2 hours.
• C. Apply warm compresses to the affected extremity.
• D. Place the client in a supine position with the legs elevated.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for a nurse caring for a client with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is to apply warm compresses to the affected extremity. Warm compresses help reduce swelling and pain in clients with DVT. Administering thrombolytics (Choice A) is not typically done without specific orders due to the risk of bleeding. Massaging the affected extremity (Choice B) can dislodge blood clots and lead to complications. Placing the client in a supine position with the legs elevated (Choice D) may increase the risk of clot dislodgment.

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