Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports pain at the site of an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the nurse's first action?

• A. Irrigate the catheter with normal saline
• B. Notify the provider
• C. Administer prescribed antibiotics
• D. Assess for signs of infection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client reports pain at the site of an indwelling urinary catheter, the nurse's first action should be to notify the provider. This is important to ensure timely assessment and intervention by the healthcare provider. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline or administering antibiotics should not be done without provider's orders as it may mask symptoms or lead to inappropriate treatment. Assessing for signs of infection is important but should come after notifying the provider, who can guide further assessment and treatment.

2. A healthcare provider is preparing to perform a routine abdominal assessment. What action should the healthcare provider take first?

• A. Inspect the abdomen
• B. Auscultate bowel sounds
• C. Palpate the abdomen
• D. Percuss the abdomen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct first action in a routine abdominal assessment is to inspect the abdomen. This allows the healthcare provider to visually assess for any visible abnormalities such as scars, distention, or masses. Auscultating bowel sounds comes after inspection as the second step to assess bowel motility. Palpation and percussion follow in the sequence of a comprehensive abdominal assessment. Therefore, inspecting the abdomen is the priority to gather initial information before proceeding with further assessment techniques.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing fluid volume deficit (FVD). What clinical finding should the nurse expect?

• A. Decreased hematocrit
• B. Increased heart rate
• C. Increased blood pressure
• D. Decreased respiratory rate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Increased heart rate is a common sign of fluid volume deficit (FVD) as the body compensates for decreased fluid levels. When a client is experiencing FVD, the body tries to maintain perfusion to vital organs by increasing the heart rate. This compensatory mechanism helps to improve cardiac output and maintain blood pressure. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because in FVD, hematocrit may be increased due to hemoconcentration, blood pressure tends to decrease as a compensatory response to FVD, and respiratory rate is usually unaffected or may increase due to attempts to maintain oxygenation.

4. A nurse receives a report from an assistive personnel that a client's BP is 160/95. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer antihypertensive medication
• B. Notify the healthcare provider
• C. Recheck the blood pressure
• D. Document the blood pressure in the chart

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse in this scenario is to recheck the blood pressure. This step is crucial to confirm the accuracy of the initial reading. Administering antihypertensive medication without verifying the blood pressure could lead to inappropriate treatment. Notifying the healthcare provider can be done after ensuring the accuracy of the reading. Simply documenting the blood pressure without validation may result in acting on potentially incorrect information. Therefore, the priority is to recheck the blood pressure.

5. A client has a new prescription for a cane. What instruction should the nurse include?

• A. Hold the cane on the weaker side
• B. Ensure the cane has a rubber tip
• C. Keep the cane on the dominant side
• D. Use the cane only on stairs

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Ensure the cane has a rubber tip.' This instruction is essential for safety as the rubber tip prevents slipping, providing stability. Choice A is incorrect because the cane should be held on the stronger side to provide better support and balance. Choice C is incorrect as the cane should be used on the stronger, more dominant side. Choice D is also incorrect as a cane is not only used on stairs but also for general support and mobility.

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