Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Heart rate of 60/min
• B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
• C. Sodium level of 138 mEq/L
• D. Weight gain of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) in 24 hours

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A weight gain of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) in 24 hours can indicate fluid retention and worsening heart failure in clients taking digoxin. This rapid weight gain could be due to fluid accumulation, a common sign of heart failure exacerbation. Reporting this finding to the provider is crucial for prompt intervention. Choices A, B, and C are within normal ranges and not directly indicative of worsening heart failure in this context, making them less urgent to report compared to the significant weight gain.

2. A nurse is performing a dressing change for a client who has a sacral wound using negative pressure wound therapy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Apply skin preparation to wound edges.
• B. Don sterile gloves.
• C. Normal saline
• D. Determine pain level.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to determine the pain level first. Assessing the client's pain is crucial before any procedure to ensure their comfort and safety. Applying skin preparation to wound edges (Choice A) may come later in the process after ensuring the client's comfort. Donning sterile gloves (Choice B) is important before directly handling the wound but can follow pain assessment. Normal saline (Choice C) might be used during wound cleansing but is not the initial step in this situation.

3. A client has a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

• A. Take this medication with food to prevent nausea.
• B. Take this medication in the morning to prevent insomnia.
• C. You should store this medication in the refrigerator.
• D. Take this medication with a full glass of water before breakfast.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct statement the nurse should include is to take levothyroxine with a full glass of water before breakfast. This helps improve absorption and prevents gastrointestinal side effects. Choice A is incorrect because levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach. Choice B is incorrect as insomnia is not a common side effect of levothyroxine. Choice C is also incorrect as levothyroxine does not need to be refrigerated.

4. A nurse is reviewing the medical records of a client who has thrombocytopenia. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the care plan?

• A. Encourage the client to floss daily.
• B. Remove fresh flowers from the client's room.
• C. Provide the client with a stool softener.
• D. Avoid serving raw vegetables.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to provide the client with a stool softener. Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count, leading to decreased blood clotting ability. Providing a stool softener is essential to prevent constipation and straining during bowel movements, which can lead to bleeding in thrombocytopenic clients. Encouraging the client to floss daily (Choice A) is a good oral hygiene practice but is not directly related to managing thrombocytopenia. Removing fresh flowers from the client's room (Choice B) is important for immunocompromised clients to prevent exposure to pathogens but is not specifically related to thrombocytopenia. Avoiding serving raw vegetables (Choice D) is a precaution to reduce the risk of infection in immunocompromised clients but does not directly address the complications of thrombocytopenia.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who has a new prescription for enoxaparin. Which of the following findings is a priority for the nurse to report?

• A. Platelet count of 200,000/mm³
• B. Hemoglobin level of 15 g/dL
• C. Respiratory rate of 22/min
• D. Dark, tarry stools

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Dark, tarry stools indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a serious side effect of enoxaparin that requires immediate medical attention. Reporting this finding promptly is crucial to prevent further complications. Choices A, B, and C are within normal ranges and are not directly related to the adverse effects of enoxaparin, so they do not take precedence over the urgent concern of gastrointestinal bleeding.

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