Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when providing tracheostomy care?

• A. Use sterile technique when performing tracheostomy care.
• B. Replace the tracheostomy ties every 24 hours.
• C. Use a sterile brush to clean the inner cannula.
• D. Change the tracheostomy dressing once a week.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to use a sterile brush to clean the inner cannula. This action is crucial to prevent infection during tracheostomy care. Choice A is incorrect as clean technique is not adequate for tracheostomy care, sterile technique is required. Choice B is incorrect as tracheostomy ties should be replaced when soiled, not routinely every 24 hours. Choice D is incorrect as tracheostomy dressings should be changed more frequently to maintain cleanliness and prevent infection.

2. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Heart rate of 90/min
• B. Capillary refill of 2 seconds
• C. Wound drainage of 30 mL in 8 hours
• D. Warmth and redness in the calf

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Warmth and redness in the calf are indicative of a possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a serious complication post-surgery that requires immediate attention. Reporting this finding promptly to the provider is crucial for timely intervention. Choices A, B, and C are within normal limits for a postoperative client and do not indicate a potentially life-threatening condition like DVT.

3. A nurse is administering medications to a group of clients. Which of the following occurrences requires the completion of an incident report?

• A. A client receives antibiotics 2 hours late.
• B. A client vomits within 20 minutes of taking morning medications.
• C. A client requests a statin to be administered at 2100.
• D. A client asks for pain medication 1 hour early.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Administering antibiotics late must be reported as it can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment. This delay can lead to subtherapeutic levels of the antibiotic in the client's system, potentially reducing its efficacy in combating the infection. Choice B, a client vomiting shortly after taking medication, should be noted but does not necessarily require an incident report unless it is a frequent occurrence. It could indicate a possible adverse reaction or intolerance to the medication. Choice C, a client requesting a statin at a specific time, and choice D, a client asking for pain medication slightly earlier, do not involve medication errors or deviations that pose immediate risks to the client's health, so they do not require incident reports.

4. A nurse is preparing to reposition a client who had a stroke. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Raise the side rails on both sides of the client's bed during repositioning.
• B. Reposition the client without assistive devices.
• C. Discuss the client's preferences to determine a repositioning schedule.
• D. Evaluate the client's ability to help with repositioning.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to evaluate the client's ability to help with repositioning. When caring for a client who had a stroke, assessing their ability to participate in repositioning is crucial for promoting safety and encouraging their involvement in their care. This evaluation helps determine the level of assistance needed and supports the client's autonomy. Option A is incorrect because raising the side rails alone does not address the client's active involvement in repositioning. Option B is incorrect as using assistive devices may be necessary for safe repositioning. Option C is incorrect as discussing preferences is important but does not directly address the client's ability to assist in repositioning.

5. Which electrolyte imbalance is most concerning in a patient taking digoxin?

• A. Monitor potassium levels
• B. Monitor calcium levels
• C. Monitor sodium levels
• D. Monitor magnesium levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor potassium levels. Patients taking digoxin are at risk of developing toxicity due to hypokalemia. Low potassium levels can potentiate the toxic effects of digoxin on the heart, leading to serious arrhythmias. Monitoring calcium levels (Choice B) is not the primary concern in patients taking digoxin. While calcium levels play a role in cardiac function, hypocalcemia is not directly associated with digoxin toxicity. Monitoring sodium levels (Choice C) is important for other conditions but is not the primary concern in a patient taking digoxin. Monitoring magnesium levels (Choice D) is also essential, but hypomagnesemia is not as directly linked to digoxin toxicity as hypokalemia.

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