a nurse is assigned to care for four clients which client should the nurse assess rst

NCLEX-PN

NCLEX PN Test Bank

1. A nurse is assigned to care for four clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?

A. A client scheduled for a colonoscopy
B. A client with a tracheostomy who is receiving humidified oxygen via a tracheostomy mask
C. A client preparing for discharge after surgery
D. A client requiring a tube feeding through a gastrostomy tube

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is a client with a tracheostomy who is receiving humidified oxygen via a tracheostomy mask. Airway management is always the priority in nursing care. Assessing this client first ensures that their airway is clear and oxygenation is adequate. Clients with compromised airways need immediate attention to prevent respiratory distress or failure. The other clients do not have immediate airway concerns and represent lower priorities in this scenario. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize assessing the client with the tracheostomy and oxygen therapy to maintain airway patency and adequate oxygenation.

2. A 45-year-old client with type I diabetes is in need of support services upon discharge from a skilled rehabilitation unit. Which of the following services is an example of a skilled support service?

A. shopping for groceries
B. house cleaning
C. transportation to physician's visits
D. medication instruction

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'medication instruction.' This service involves educating the client on how to properly take their medications, which requires a certain level of expertise and skill. Grocery shopping, house cleaning, and transportation to physician's visits are considered unskilled services as they do not involve specialized knowledge or training. In contrast, medication instruction is a skilled service that necessitates specific training to ensure the client's safety and adherence to their medication regimen.

3. Which of these statements is true regarding advance directives?

A. They must be reviewed and re-signed every 10 years in order to remain valid.
B. An advance directive is legally valid in every state, regardless of the state it was created in.
C. A physician must determine when a client is unable to make medical decisions for themselves.
D. They cannot be honored by EMTs (emergency medical technicians) unless signed by a doctor.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct statement is that advance directives cannot be honored by EMTs unless they are signed by a doctor. EMTs are required to provide emergency care to a client, irrespective of their advance directive status, unless the directive has been signed by a doctor. When a client is brought to the hospital, physicians will assess the client and implement the advance directive if necessary. Advance directives do not need to be reviewed and re-signed every 10 years to remain valid; they remain in effect until changed. While advance directives are legally valid in most states, some states may not honor those created in other states, so it's advisable to check the new state's policies if a client moves. Additionally, it typically requires two physicians, not just one, to determine if a client is unable to make medical decisions for themselves.

4. An example of a process standard on a med-surg unit is:

A. a procedure for changing IV tubing.
B. a policy for staffing.
C. the job description of the CEO (chief executive officer).
D. a procedure for checking waveforms on a client being treated with an intra-aortic balloon pump.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Process standards define the actions and behaviors required by staff to provide care on a med-surg unit. A procedure for changing IV tubing is a critical psychomotor skill necessary for safe and effective patient care in this setting. Choice B, a policy for staffing, pertains more to organizational management rather than specific care processes on the unit. Choice C, the job description of the CEO, delineates the responsibilities of the organization's top executive and is not a process standard for frontline staff. Choice D, a procedure for checking waveforms on a client with an intra-aortic balloon pump, is more specific to a cardiac care unit and not typically performed on a med-surg unit.

5. What intervention should the nurse take for a client who has sustained a hyphema?

A. Instruct the client to wear eye protectors in the future
B. Keep the client at bed rest, typically with the head of the bed propped up
C. Apply atropine eyedrops
D. Apply an ice pack to the site of injury

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client who has sustained a hyphema is to keep them at bed rest, usually with the head of the bed raised. This positioning helps to reduce intraocular pressure and prevent further damage or rebleeding. Instructing the client to wear eye protectors in the future (Choice A) is not the immediate intervention required for a hyphema. Applying atropine eyedrops (Choice C) is not typically indicated for a hyphema. Applying an ice pack to the site of injury (Choice D) is not recommended for a hyphema as it can increase the risk of rebleeding. Therefore, the correct answer is to keep the client at bed rest.