Nursing Elites

1. A client who is postoperative following a cholecystectomy has a urine output of 25 mL/hr. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder.
• B. Absent bowel sounds.
• C. Brown drainage on the surgical dressing.
• D. Urine output of 25 mL/hr.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A urine output below 30 mL/hr indicates a potential complication, such as hypovolemia or renal impairment, and should be reported. Abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder can be common after a cholecystectomy due to referred pain from the diaphragm, whereas absent bowel sounds may be expected temporarily postoperatively. Brown drainage on the surgical dressing is typical in the early postoperative period and may represent old blood or other normal discharge.

2. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has fluid volume deficit about selecting foods that have a high water content. The nurse should include that which of the following raw foods contains the highest amount of water per 1 cup serving?

• A. Cherry tomatoes
• B. Potatoes
• C. Spinach
• D. Cucumber slices

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, cucumber slices. Cucumbers have the highest water content per 1 cup serving among raw vegetables, making them an excellent choice for a client with fluid volume deficit. Cherry tomatoes (choice A), potatoes (choice B), and spinach (choice C) do not have as high water content as cucumbers and therefore are not the best choice for increasing fluid intake.

3. A nurse in a pediatric clinic is collecting data from a school-age child whose injuries are inconsistent with the parent's stated cause. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Provide teaching to the parents
• B. Report suspected abuse to the appropriate agency
• C. Document the injuries and monitor the child
• D. Counsel the parents privately

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In cases where a child's injuries are inconsistent with the parent's stated cause, it raises concerns about possible abuse. The correct action for the nurse in this situation is to report suspected abuse to the appropriate agency. This is a legal and ethical obligation for healthcare professionals when they suspect child abuse. Providing teaching to the parents (Choice A) may not address the immediate safety concerns of the child. Documenting the injuries and monitoring the child (Choice C) is important but reporting suspected abuse takes precedence to ensure the child's safety. Counseling the parents privately (Choice D) may not be effective if abuse is suspected, as the primary focus should be on protecting the child.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative and is unable to ambulate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to promote the client's venous return?

• A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
• B. Maintain the client in a supine position
• C. Apply a sequential compression device
• D. Massage the client's legs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Apply a sequential compression device. Applying a sequential compression device promotes venous return by assisting with blood circulation in the lower extremities, reducing the risk of blood clots. Encouraging deep breathing exercises can help with lung expansion but does not directly promote venous return. Maintaining the client in a supine position may not be ideal for promoting venous return if the client is unable to move. Massaging the client's legs may be contraindicated postoperatively due to the risk of dislodging a clot or causing trauma to the surgical site.

5. A nurse is caring for a 37-year-old woman with metastatic ovarian cancer admitted for nausea and vomiting. The physician orders total parenteral nutrition (TPN), a nutritional consult, and diet recall. Which of the following is the BEST indication that the patient's nutritional status has improved after 4 days?

• A. The patient eats most of the food served to her
• B. The patient has gained 1 pound since admission
• C. The patient's albumin level is 4.0mg/dL
• D. The patient's hemoglobin is 8.5g/dL

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An improved albumin level is the best indicator of improved nutritional status after TPN. Albumin is a key protein that reflects the body's overall nutritional status and is commonly used to assess nutritional health. Choices A, B, and D are not as reliable indicators of improved nutritional status. Choice A may not accurately reflect nutritional improvement as it could be influenced by factors other than nutrition. Choice B may indicate fluid retention or loss rather than true nutritional improvement. Choice D, hemoglobin level, is more related to anemia and oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, rather than nutritional status.

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