Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and is receiving heparin therapy. Which of the following laboratory values indicates that the client's heparin therapy is effective?

• A. aPTT 75 seconds.
• B. INR 1.2.
• C. Hemoglobin 10 g/dL.
• D. Fibrinogen level 350 mg/dL.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: An aPTT of 75 seconds indicates that heparin therapy is within the therapeutic range for a client with DVT. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is used to monitor heparin therapy's effectiveness. Choice B, INR 1.2, is not the correct answer because INR is used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin, a different anticoagulant, not heparin. Choice C, Hemoglobin 10 g/dL, is not a measure of heparin therapy effectiveness. Choice D, Fibrinogen level 350 mg/dL, is not a specific indicator of heparin therapy effectiveness for DVT.

2. A nurse overhears two assistive personnel (AP) discussing care for a client in the elevator. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Contact the client's family about the incident.
• B. Notify the client's provider about the incident.
• C. File a complaint with the ethics committee.
• D. Report the incident to the AP's charge nurse.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to report the incident to the AP's charge nurse. This ensures that the issue is addressed internally and allows for proper handling of the situation. Contacting the client's family about the incident (Choice A) may not be appropriate as it could breach confidentiality and escalate the situation unnecessarily. Notifying the client's provider (Choice B) is not the most immediate and effective step to address the issue. Filing a complaint with the ethics committee (Choice C) should be reserved for serious ethical violations, and in this case, reporting to the charge nurse is the more practical and immediate course of action.

3. What is the priority nursing action for a patient experiencing an acute asthma attack?

• A. Administer bronchodilators
• B. Administer corticosteroids
• C. Provide supplemental oxygen
• D. Start IV fluids

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer bronchodilators as the priority nursing action for a patient experiencing an acute asthma attack. Bronchodilators help open the airways and improve airflow, which is crucial in managing the acute respiratory distress in asthma. Corticosteroids may be used subsequently to reduce inflammation, but in the acute phase, bronchodilators take precedence. Providing supplemental oxygen is important but may not address the underlying bronchoconstriction characteristic of an asthma attack. Starting IV fluids is not a priority in managing an acute asthma attack unless indicated for specific reasons such as dehydration.

4. A nurse is creating a plan of care for a newly admitted client who has obsessive-compulsive disorder. Which of the following interventions should the nurse take?

• A. Allow the client enough time to perform rituals
• B. Give the client autonomy in scheduling activities
• C. Discourage the client from exploring irrational fears
• D. Provide negative reinforcement for ritualistic behaviors

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder is to allow the client enough time to perform rituals. This helps manage anxiety and stress in individuals with OCD. Allowing time for rituals can provide a sense of control and reduce distress. Choice B, giving the client autonomy in scheduling activities, may not address the core symptoms of OCD related to rituals and compulsions. Choice C, discouraging the client from exploring irrational fears, goes against the principles of exposure therapy, which is a common treatment for OCD. Choice D, providing negative reinforcement for ritualistic behaviors, is not recommended as it can reinforce the behavior rather than help the client manage it.

5. What is a crucial nursing responsibility when caring for a patient with a central line?

• A. Flush the line with saline
• B. Monitor for infection
• C. Monitor fluid balance
• D. Replace the central line

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When caring for a patient with a central line, monitoring for infection is a crucial nursing responsibility. This is essential to prevent complications such as bloodstream infections. While flushing the line with saline and monitoring fluid balance are important aspects of care, they are not as critical as monitoring for infection. Replacing the central line is only done when necessary due to complications or at the end of its recommended use.

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