Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and is approaching death. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of impending death?

• A. Hypertension.
• B. Tachycardia.
• C. Cold extremities.
• D. Diaphoresis.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Cold extremities are a critical sign of impending death as they indicate decreased circulation, leading to poor perfusion to the extremities. This phenomenon occurs as the body redirects blood flow to vital organs, preparing for the end of life. Hypertension and tachycardia are less likely to be seen in the terminal phase and are usually associated with other conditions like shock or sepsis. Diaphoresis, or excessive sweating, may occur in various situations but is not a specific indicator of impending death in this context.

2. When should a healthcare provider suction a client's tracheostomy?

• A. When the client is hypotensive
• B. When the client is irritable
• C. When the client is flushed
• D. When the client is bradycardic

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Irritability is an early sign that suctioning is required to clear secretions in a client with a tracheostomy. Hypotension, flushing, and bradycardia are not direct indicators for suctioning a tracheostomy. Hypotension may indicate a need for fluid resuscitation or other interventions, flushing could be due to various reasons like fever, and bradycardia may require evaluation for cardiac causes.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer a client's morning medications. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to verify the client's identity?

• A. Ask the client's full name
• B. Scan the client's facility identification band
• C. Call the client's name
• D. Verify with a second nurse

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action to verify a client's identity when administering medications is to scan the client's facility identification band. This method ensures accuracy and helps prevent medication errors. Asking the client's full name (Choice A) may not be reliable as names can be similar, leading to confusion. Calling the client's name (Choice C) may not be effective if there are multiple clients with the same name in the facility. Verifying with a second nurse (Choice D) is an important safety measure for certain tasks but is not specifically for verifying a client's identity.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who requests information about advance directives. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

• A. It's a living will outlining your funeral wishes
• B. It's a document that allows you to donate organs
• C. It includes end-of-life care instructions
• D. It provides legal guardianship rights

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct response is C: 'It includes end-of-life care instructions.' An advance directive is a legal document that outlines a client's preferences for medical treatment and end-of-life care in case they are unable to communicate. Choice A is incorrect because an advance directive focuses on healthcare decisions, not funeral arrangements. Choice B is incorrect as organ donation is a separate process from advance directives. Choice D is incorrect as advance directives do not provide legal guardianship rights, but rather specify healthcare wishes.

5. What is the correct procedure for taking a telephone order from a provider?

• A. State patient name, drug, dose, route, frequency, and read back the order
• B. State the medication and ask for a witness to listen to the order
• C. Write down the order and verify with the provider within 12 hours
• D. Have the provider verify the order during the next in-person visit

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct procedure for taking a telephone order from a provider is to state the patient's name, drug, dose, route, frequency, and then read back the order to ensure accuracy. This process helps in preventing errors and ensures that all relevant information is correctly documented. Choice B is incorrect because having a witness listen to the order is not a standard practice and may not guarantee accuracy. Choice C is incorrect as verifying the order within 12 hours may lead to delays in patient care. Choice D is incorrect because waiting for the provider to verify the order during the next in-person visit could result in a significant delay in administering necessary medication.

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