Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who delivered a full-term newborn 16 hours ago. The nurse notes excessive lochia discharge. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer pain medication
• B. Perform a fundal massage
• C. Check the baby's heart rate
• D. Apply an ice pack

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Performing a fundal massage is the priority action in a postpartum client experiencing excessive lochia discharge. Fundal massage helps prevent postpartum hemorrhage by ensuring the uterus contracts effectively. Administering pain medication, checking the baby's heart rate, and applying an ice pack are not the initial interventions needed to address excessive lochia discharge.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent atelectasis?

• A. Encourage deep breathing exercises
• B. Encourage the client to cough every 2 hours
• C. Administer an incentive spirometer
• D. Assist the client to ambulate in the hallway

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administer an incentive spirometer. Using an incentive spirometer helps prevent atelectasis by encouraging lung expansion after surgery. Encouraging deep breathing exercises (choice A) is beneficial but may not be as effective as an incentive spirometer. Encouraging the client to cough (choice B) helps with airway clearance but does not directly prevent atelectasis. Assisting the client to ambulate (choice D) is important for preventing complications such as deep vein thrombosis, but it is not the most effective intervention for preventing atelectasis.

3. How should a healthcare provider assess a patient for fluid overload?

• A. Monitor weight and assess for shortness of breath
• B. Auscultate lung sounds and monitor blood pressure
• C. Assess for edema in the extremities
• D. Assess for jugular venous distension

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correctly, the answer is to monitor weight and assess for shortness of breath when assessing a patient for fluid overload. Weight monitoring is crucial as sudden weight gain can indicate fluid retention. Shortness of breath can be a sign of fluid accumulation in the lungs. While auscultating lung sounds and monitoring blood pressure are important assessments in overall patient care, they may not be specific to fluid overload. Assessing for edema in the extremities is relevant, but it is not as sensitive as monitoring weight for detecting fluid overload. Assessing for jugular venous distension is more specific to assessing fluid status in heart failure rather than a general assessment for fluid overload.

4. A client with dementia is at risk of falls. Which intervention should the nurse implement to ensure safety?

• A. Use restraints to prevent the client from leaving the bed
• B. Use a bed exit alarm to notify staff when the client tries to leave the bed
• C. Encourage frequent ambulation with assistance
• D. Raise all four side rails to prevent falls

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with dementia at risk of falls is to use a bed exit alarm to notify staff when the client tries to leave the bed. This intervention helps prevent falls while still allowing some freedom of movement. Choice A is incorrect because using restraints can lead to complications and is considered a form of restraint which should be avoided. Choice C is not suitable for a client at high risk of falls due to dementia as it may increase the risk of falls. Choice D is not recommended as raising all four side rails can be considered a form of physical restraint and may not be the best approach to prevent falls in a client with dementia.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has coronary artery disease (CAD) and is receiving aspirin therapy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. History of gastrointestinal bleeding
• B. Prothrombin time of 12 seconds
• C. Platelet count of 180,000/mm³
• D. Creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: History of gastrointestinal bleeding. Aspirin therapy is contraindicated in clients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding because aspirin can further increase the risk of bleeding. Option B, prothrombin time of 12 seconds, is within the normal range and does not indicate a concern related to aspirin therapy. Option C, platelet count of 180,000/mm³, is also within the normal range and does not suggest a need for reporting to the provider in the context of aspirin therapy. Option D, creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL, is within the normal range and is not directly related to aspirin therapy in this scenario.

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