Nursing Elites

1. A patient is 1 day postoperative following a hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the hip?

• A. Keep the patient in a side-lying position.
• B. Place a pillow between the patient's legs.
• C. Instruct the patient to avoid sitting for long periods.
• D. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Placing a pillow between the patient's legs is the correct action to prevent dislocation of the hip following arthroplasty. This technique helps maintain proper alignment and stability of the hip joint. Keeping the patient in a side-lying position may not provide the necessary support to prevent hip dislocation. Instructing the patient to avoid sitting for long periods is important for preventing complications like deep vein thrombosis but does not directly prevent hip dislocation. Elevating the head of the bed to 90 degrees is not relevant to preventing hip dislocation in a postoperative hip arthroplasty patient.

2. What is the most important nursing assessment for a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

• A. Check for leg pain
• B. Perform Homan's sign test
• C. Monitor for redness
• D. Assess for warmth and swelling

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important nursing assessment for a patient with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is to check for leg pain. Leg pain is a cardinal symptom of DVT and is often the initial indicator of a blood clot. While assessing for warmth, swelling, and redness are also important in DVT evaluation, leg pain is the most crucial as it can prompt further diagnostic testing and interventions. Performing Homan's sign test is no longer recommended due to its low specificity and potential to dislodge a clot, causing complications. Monitoring for redness is important but may not always be present in DVT cases. Assessing for warmth and swelling is relevant but still secondary to the assessment of leg pain in suspected DVT cases.

3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for clopidogrel. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Avoid eating foods high in potassium.
• B. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
• C. Take this medication with a full glass of water.
• D. Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Clients taking clopidogrel should take the medication with a full glass of water to prevent gastrointestinal irritation. Choice A is incorrect because there is no specific recommendation to avoid foods high in potassium with clopidogrel. Choice B is unrelated to the medication's administration. Choice D is a duplication of choice C, providing no additional information.

4. A nurse is assessing a client who is at 34 weeks of gestation and has gestational hypertension. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
• B. Fasting blood glucose of 120 mg/dL
• C. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr
• D. Weight gain of 2.3 kg (5 lb) in 1 week

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A weight gain of 2.3 kg (5 lb) in 1 week can indicate worsening gestational hypertension and should be reported to the provider. Sudden weight gain in a client with gestational hypertension can be a sign of fluid retention, which could worsen the hypertension and lead to complications like preeclampsia. The other options, blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg, fasting blood glucose of 120 mg/dL, and urinary output of 40 mL/hr, are within normal limits for a client with gestational hypertension and do not pose an immediate concern that requires reporting to the provider.

5. A client is receiving discharge teaching regarding a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. I will eat more leafy green vegetables while taking warfarin.
• B. I will have my INR checked regularly while taking warfarin.
• C. I will avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking warfarin.
• D. I will use a soft toothbrush while taking warfarin.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Clients taking warfarin should avoid leafy green vegetables as they are high in vitamin K, which can reduce the effectiveness of the medication. Therefore, the statement 'I will eat more leafy green vegetables while taking warfarin' indicates a need for further teaching. Choice B is correct as regular monitoring of INR levels is necessary for clients on warfarin. Choice C is correct as grapefruit juice can interact with warfarin and should be avoided. Choice D is correct as using a soft toothbrush is recommended to prevent gum bleeding while on warfarin.

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