Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a chest tube following thoracic surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Clamp the chest tube when assisting the client out of bed.
• B. Empty the drainage system every 8 hours.
• C. Keep the collection device below the client's chest.
• D. Strip the chest tube every 4 hours.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to keep the collection device below the client's chest. This positioning ensures proper drainage of fluid from the chest, preventing backflow of fluids. Clamping the chest tube when assisting the client out of bed is incorrect as it can lead to fluid accumulation and potential complications. Emptying the drainage system every 8 hours is necessary but not the priority over maintaining proper positioning. Stripping the chest tube every 4 hours is an outdated practice and can cause damage to the tissue and should be avoided.

2. Which of the following lab values should the nurse monitor for a patient receiving heparin therapy?

• A. Monitor platelet count
• B. Monitor PT/INR
• C. Monitor aPTT
• D. Monitor CBC

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor aPTT for a patient receiving heparin therapy. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to assess and adjust heparin dosage to ensure the patient is within the therapeutic range for anticoagulation. Monitoring the aPTT helps in preventing both clotting and bleeding complications. Platelet count (Choice A) is important to monitor for patients receiving antiplatelet therapy, not heparin. PT/INR (Choice B) is typically monitored for patients on warfarin therapy, not heparin. Monitoring the complete blood count (CBC) (Choice D) is essential for various conditions but is not specific to monitoring heparin therapy.

3. When should healthcare professionals perform hand hygiene?

• A. Before and after patient contact
• B. Before and after performing procedures
• C. After using the restroom
• D. After touching contaminated surfaces

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Healthcare professionals should perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact to prevent the spread of infections. While choices B, C, and D are also important times to practice hand hygiene, they are not as crucial as before and after patient contact because patient contact poses a higher risk of transmitting infections.

4. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient experiencing hypoglycemia?

• A. Administer IV glucose
• B. Administer oral glucose
• C. Check blood sugar in 15 minutes
• D. Provide a high-calorie snack

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient experiencing hypoglycemia is to administer oral glucose. Oral glucose is usually sufficient for treating mild hypoglycemia and can be administered quickly and easily. Administering IV glucose (Choice A) is reserved for severe cases where the patient is unable to swallow or unconscious. Checking blood sugar in 15 minutes (Choice C) is important but providing glucose should come first. Providing a high-calorie snack (Choice D) may not be as rapidly effective as administering oral glucose in quickly raising blood sugar levels in a patient experiencing hypoglycemia.

5. A nurse is performing a gastric lavage for a client who has upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Instill 500 ml of solution through the NG tube
• B. Insert a large-bore NG tube
• C. Use a cold irrigation solution
• D. Instruct the client to lie on his right side

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Insert a large-bore NG tube.' When performing a gastric lavage for a client with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, a large-bore NG tube is used to effectively remove gastric contents and blood. Option A is incorrect because the amount of solution to instill depends on the specific situation and should be guided by the healthcare provider's order. Option C is incorrect because using a cold irrigation solution can lead to hypothermia and is not recommended. Option D is incorrect as there is no need to instruct the client to lie on his right side specifically for gastric lavage.

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