Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has an altered mental status and has become aggressive. Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse clarify with the provider prior to administration?

• A. Haloperidol
• B. Zolpidem
• C. Morphine
• D. Lorazepam

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Zolpidem. Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic medication that can worsen altered mental status, especially in clients who are already aggressive. Therefore, the nurse should clarify this prescription with the provider before administration to ensure it is safe for the client. Choice A, Haloperidol, is an antipsychotic commonly used to manage aggression in clients with altered mental status, making it an appropriate choice in this scenario. Choice C, Morphine, is an opioid analgesic and would not directly impact the client's altered mental status or aggression. Choice D, Lorazepam, is a benzodiazepine used to manage anxiety and agitation, which could be beneficial in this situation but does not have the same potential to exacerbate altered mental status as Zolpidem.

2. A nurse is caring for a client post-abdominal surgery who has an NG tube. The client reports nausea and a decrease in gastric output. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Turn the client onto their left side
• B. Irrigate the NG tube with sterile water
• C. Increase the suction pressure to relieve the blockage
• D. Remove the NG tube and replace it with a new one

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to irrigate the NG tube with sterile water first. This action helps to relieve blockages that may be causing the decrease in gastric output and nausea. Turning the client onto their left side may not directly address the issue with the NG tube. Increasing the suction pressure can further exacerbate the problem and should not be done without assessing the situation first. Removing the NG tube and replacing it with a new one is a more invasive step that should be considered only if other measures are unsuccessful.

3. A nurse is caring for a client with a pressure ulcer. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate?

• A. Administer a protein supplement
• B. Increase protein intake in the client's diet
• C. Increase IV fluid intake to improve hydration
• D. Cleanse the wound from the center outwards

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to cleanse the wound from the center outwards. This technique helps prevent infection and promotes healing by ensuring that any contaminants are moved away from the center of the wound. Administering a protein supplement (choice A) or increasing protein intake in the client's diet (choice B) may be beneficial for overall healing but are not the most appropriate interventions specifically for wound care. Increasing IV fluid intake (choice C) is important for hydration but is not the most appropriate intervention for managing a pressure ulcer.

4. A home health nurse is preparing for an initial visit with an older adult client who lives alone. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Educate the client about their current medical diagnosis.
• B. Refer the client to a meal delivery program.
• C. Identify environmental hazards in the home.
• D. Arrange transportation for the client to follow-up appointments.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Identifying environmental hazards in the client's home is the priority during the initial visit with an older adult living alone. This action is crucial to prevent accidents, falls, and ensure the client's safety. While educating the client about their medical diagnosis, referring them to a meal delivery program, and arranging transportation for follow-up appointments are essential, addressing environmental hazards takes precedence as it directly impacts the client's immediate safety and well-being.

5. A charge nurse on a medical-surgical unit is planning assignments for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) who has been sent from the postpartum unit due to a staffing shortage for the shift. Which of the following client assignments should the nurse delegate to the LPN?

• A. A client who is postoperative following a bowel resection with an NGT set to continuous suction.
• B. A client who has fractured a femur yesterday and is experiencing shortness of breath.
• C. A client who sustained a concussion and has unequal pupils.
• D. A client who has an Hgb of 6.3 g/dl and a prescription for packed RBCs.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because the LPN can care for stable clients with complex needs, such as managing an NGT set to continuous suction. Choices B, C, and D involve clients with more acute conditions that require a higher level of assessment and intervention, making them unsuitable for delegation to an LPN. Choice B requires prompt evaluation of the shortness of breath in a client with a recent femur fracture, which is beyond the LPN's scope. Choice C involves a head injury and unequal pupils, indicating the need for neurological assessment and close monitoring. Choice D relates to a critically low hemoglobin level and the need for blood transfusion, requiring careful monitoring and potential intervention beyond the LPN's role.

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