Nursing Elites

1. A client with a closed chest tube drainage system accidentally disconnects the chest tube while being turned by the nurse. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Submerge the end of the chest tube in a bottle of sterile water
• B. Clamp the chest tube with a Kelly clamp
• C. Call the health care provider
• D. Instruct the client to inhale and hold his breath

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a chest tube becomes disconnected, the priority action is to immediately reattach it to the drainage system or submerge the end in a bottle of sterile water or saline solution to reestablish a water seal. This helps prevent air from entering the pleural space and causing complications. Calling the health care provider is important but not the first action in this emergency. Instructing the client to inhale and hold his breath should be avoided as it can introduce atmospheric air into the pleural space, leading to potential issues. Clamping the chest tube is generally contraindicated, especially in cases of residual air leak or pneumothorax, as it may result in a tension pneumothorax by preventing air from escaping.

2. A client has been placed in isolation because he is diagnosed with a contagious illness. The nurse should be aware that:

• A. Linens from the client's bed should be double-bagged.
• B. Meals should be served on washable dishes.
• C. Extensive isolation rarely causes psychological problems.
• D. Paper trays and plastic utensils do not prevent disease transmission.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Isolation techniques are used to prevent or limit the spread of infection. Special handling of articles and linens soiled by any body fluid is essential. Linens should be placed in impervious bags before being removed from the client's bedside to prevent exposure of personnel and contamination of the environment. Double-bagging is required if the outside of the bag becomes contaminated. This practice ensures that potentially infectious materials are properly contained and disposed of. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because the focus in this scenario is on proper handling and disposal of soiled linens to prevent the spread of infection, not on serving meals, psychological effects of isolation, or the use of paper trays and plastic utensils.

3. The nurse is preparing to administer the 9 am dose of IV antibiotics when she notes the IVAC cord is frayed with wiring visible. What action should be her priority for this client?

• A. Notify maintenance to come and check the pump immediately.
• B. Continue with the administration of the antibiotic and fill out an equipment maintenance request.
• C. Immediately discontinue the use of this IVAC pump and obtain a replacement.
• D. Tag the equipment for maintenance.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action is to immediately discontinue the use of the IVAC pump and obtain a replacement because the frayed cord poses a safety risk to the client. Continuing to use the pump with visible wiring could lead to electric shock or other serious harm to the client. Notifying maintenance to come and check the pump immediately (Choice A) may cause unnecessary delays in ensuring the client's safety. Continuing with the administration of the antibiotic and filling out an equipment maintenance request (Choice B) is unsafe as it ignores the immediate danger. Tagging the equipment for maintenance (Choice D) does not address the urgent need to protect the client from harm.

4. The client is unsure about making medical decisions as their disease progresses and wants to appoint someone to make these decisions. Which of the following options would be most appropriate?

• A. a living will
• B. informed consent
• C. a healthcare proxy
• D. non-informed consent

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is 'a healthcare proxy.' A healthcare proxy involves the client appointing an individual to make medical decisions on their behalf if they become unable to do so. This option allows the client to choose someone they trust to act in their best interests. Choice A, 'a living will,' is a legal document that outlines a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in case they are unable to communicate their decisions. While it is important, it does not involve appointing someone to make decisions. Choice B, 'informed consent,' is a process where a healthcare provider explains a treatment or procedure, including its risks and benefits, to a patient who can then decide whether to proceed. This is not about appointing someone to make decisions on the patient's behalf. Choice D, 'non-informed consent,' is not a valid concept in healthcare. Informed consent is crucial for respecting a patient's autonomy and decision-making capacity.

5. A licensed practical nurse (LPN) in the long-term care unit who has another LPN and a nursing assistant on the nursing team is planning task assignments for the day. Which task should the nurse assign to the LPN?

• A. Monitoring a client receiving oxygen who requires frequent pulse oximetry monitoring and respiratory treatments
• B. Assisting a client who is wearing eye patches and requires assistance with hygiene measures
• C. Feeding a client on bedrest who needs assistance with feeding
• D. Turning a client who must be turned and repositioned every 2 hours

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When a nurse assigns tasks for a client's care to another staff member, the nurse is responsible for appropriately assigning tasks based on the educational level and competency of the staff member. In this scenario, the LPN should be assigned the task of monitoring a client receiving oxygen who requires frequent pulse oximetry monitoring and respiratory treatments. This is because the LPN is competent to perform these tasks and can accurately note changes in the client's condition. Tasks such as feeding a client, turning and repositioning a client, and assisting with hygiene measures, which are noninvasive interventions, can be assigned to a nursing assistant. These tasks do not require the same level of assessment and monitoring as the respiratory treatments and pulse oximetry monitoring.

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