Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter and a prescription for a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Wipe the area around the needleless port with sterile water
• B. Insert the syringe into the needleless port at a 60-degree angle
• C. Withdraw 3 to 5 ml of urine from the port
• D. Don sterile gloves

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to withdraw 3 to 5 ml of urine from the port for an accurate culture and sensitivity test. Wiping the area around the needleless port with sterile water (Choice A) is not necessary when obtaining a urine specimen. Inserting the syringe into the needleless port at a 60-degree angle (Choice B) is incorrect as it does not align with the correct procedure for obtaining a urine specimen. Donning sterile gloves (Choice D) is a good practice but not the immediate action required for obtaining a urine specimen.

2. Which action should the nurse take to minimize the risk of medication errors?

• A. Prepare medications ahead of time to ensure they are ready.
• B. Ensure two nurses double-check medications before administration.
• C. Administer medications at the same time each day.
• D. Rely on memory to administer the correct medications.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because ensuring two nurses double-check medications before administration is a crucial step in minimizing the risk of medication errors. This practice helps in verifying the accuracy of medication orders and reducing the chances of mistakes. Choice A may not necessarily prevent errors as preparing medications ahead of time does not guarantee accuracy. Choice C, administering medications at the same time each day, is important for consistency but does not directly address the risk of errors. Choice D, relying on memory, is highly discouraged as it increases the likelihood of errors due to human forgetfulness.

3. A nurse on a medical unit is preparing to discharge a client to home. Which of the following actions should the nurse take as part of the medication reconciliation process?

• A. Discontinue current medications
• B. Write new prescriptions
• C. Compare prescriptions with the client’s medications
• D. Ask the client to decide

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action in the medication reconciliation process is to compare prescriptions with the client’s medications. This step ensures that there are no conflicting medications prescribed, reducing the risk of adverse drug interactions. Discontinuing current medications or writing new prescriptions without comparing them can lead to errors and potential harm. Asking the client to decide is not appropriate in this context as it is the nurse's responsibility to ensure medication safety based on professional judgment and knowledge.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has an ethical conflict about the care she is receiving. Which of the following resources should the nurse consult about resolving the dilemma?

• A. Hospital ethics committee
• B. Quality improvement committee
• C. Chaplain
• D. Director of nursing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the hospital ethics committee. This committee is specifically designed to address and resolve ethical conflicts in patient care. It comprises professionals from various disciplines who can provide guidance and support in navigating ethical dilemmas. Choice B, the quality improvement committee, focuses on enhancing the quality of care provided but may not be equipped to handle ethical conflicts. Choice C, the chaplain, offers spiritual and emotional support but may not have the expertise to resolve ethical dilemmas. Choice D, the director of nursing, is responsible for nursing operations and may not be the appropriate resource for addressing ethical conflicts.

5. What are the nursing considerations when caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

• A. Encouraging pursed-lip breathing to improve ventilation
• B. Administering bronchodilators and corticosteroids
• C. Monitoring oxygen saturation and ABGs
• D. Teaching the patient how to use an inhaler

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Pursed-lip breathing is a nursing consideration for patients with COPD as it helps improve oxygenation and reduces air trapping. While administering bronchodilators and corticosteroids (choice B) is part of the treatment plan, it is typically done by healthcare providers. Monitoring oxygen saturation and arterial blood gases (ABGs) (choice C) is important but not a direct nursing consideration. Teaching the patient how to use an inhaler (choice D) is relevant but not specific to COPD care.

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