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 client has a new prescription for furosemide. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. This medication will increase your potassium levels.
• B. You should take this medication with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
• C. This medication will decrease your blood glucose levels.
• D. You should increase your intake of potassium-rich foods.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct statement the nurse should include in the teaching for a client with a new prescription for furosemide is that the client should take the medication with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause gastrointestinal upset, so taking it with food can help reduce this side effect and improve medication tolerance. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because furosemide does not increase potassium levels, decrease blood glucose levels, or require an increase in the intake of potassium-rich foods. Therefore, the most important teaching point for the client is to take furosemide with food.

3. A nurse is planning to teach a group of clients about preventing low back pain. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

• A. Wear low-heeled shoes.
• B. Elevate the legs while sitting.
• C. Engage in prolonged sitting to rest the back muscles.
• D. Sleep on a soft mattress to prevent strain on the back.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Wear low-heeled shoes.' Wearing low-heeled shoes helps prevent back strain by promoting proper posture. High heels can cause an imbalance in the body's alignment, leading to increased stress on the lower back. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Elevating the legs while sitting can help with circulation but does not directly prevent low back pain. Engaging in prolonged sitting can actually contribute to low back pain due to decreased muscle activity and increased pressure on the spine. Sleeping on a soft mattress may not provide adequate support for the back, potentially worsening back pain instead of preventing it.

4. Which medication is used to treat opioid overdose?

• A. Naloxone
• B. Epinephrine
• C. Lidocaine
• D. Atropine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Naloxone is the correct answer. Naloxone is the standard medication for reversing opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptors. Choice B, Epinephrine, is used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and cardiac arrest, not opioid overdose. Choice C, Lidocaine, is a local anesthetic used for numbing purposes and managing certain types of arrhythmias, not for opioid overdose. Choice D, Atropine, is used to treat bradycardia, organophosphate poisoning, and nerve agent toxicity, not opioid overdose.

5. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with a stage 3 pressure ulcer?

• A. Apply hydrocolloid dressing
• B. Provide wound debridement
• C. Change the dressing daily
• D. Elevate the affected area

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to apply a hydrocolloid dressing. Stage 3 pressure ulcers are characterized by full-thickness skin loss involving damage to or necrosis of subcutaneous tissue, which requires a moist environment for healing. Hydrocolloid dressings help maintain a moist wound environment, promote healing, and provide protection. Providing wound debridement may be necessary but is not the priority intervention at this stage. Changing the dressing daily is important for wound care but not the priority over creating an optimal healing environment. Elevating the affected area can help with circulation and reduce swelling, but it is not the priority intervention for a stage 3 pressure ulcer.

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