Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative following an open cholecystectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Monitor the client's urinary output.
• B. Assist the client to splint the incision with a pillow when coughing.
• C. Provide the client with a clear liquid diet.
• D. Encourage the client to ambulate in the hallway.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assisting the client to splint the incision with a pillow while coughing is the correct action in this scenario. This intervention helps reduce pain and prevent wound dehiscence, which is the partial or complete separation of the layers of a surgical wound. Monitoring urinary output is important but not the priority at this immediate postoperative stage. Providing a clear liquid diet may be indicated later but is not the most immediate concern. Encouraging ambulation is beneficial for preventing complications like deep vein thrombosis, but splinting the incision is more crucial at this early postoperative period.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative following a total knee replacement. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Heart rate of 88/min
• B. Serous drainage on the dressing
• C. Temperature 37.3°C (99.1°F)
• D. Calf pain on dorsiflexion

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Calf pain on dorsiflexion following knee surgery may indicate a complication such as deep vein thrombosis, which is a serious condition requiring medical attention. Reporting this finding promptly is crucial to prevent further complications. Choices A, B, and C are within normal range for a client post knee surgery and do not typically indicate immediate complications that require urgent reporting.

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

• A. Take this medication at bedtime.
• B. Take this medication with food to reduce stomach upset.
• C. Remain upright for 30 minutes after taking this medication.
• D. Chew the medication for faster absorption.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction when taking alendronate is to remain upright for 30 minutes after administration. This helps prevent esophageal irritation, a known side effect of the medication. Option A is incorrect because alendronate should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Option B is incorrect as taking alendronate with food decreases its absorption. Option D is incorrect as alendronate should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water and not chewed.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who is newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has questions about the disease. To research, the nurse should identify which of the following electronic databases has the most comprehensive collection of nursing articles?

• A. MEDLINE
• B. CINAHL
• C. ProQuest
• D. Health Source

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B, CINAHL. CINAHL is specifically dedicated to nursing and allied health literature, making it the most appropriate database for nursing articles and research. It provides a comprehensive collection of nursing-related articles, journals, and research studies, which are essential for evidence-based practice. MEDLINE, on the other hand, is a valuable resource for medical literature but is not as nursing-focused as CINAHL. ProQuest and Health Source cover a wider range of subjects beyond nursing, so they are not as comprehensive when it comes to nursing-specific articles and research. Therefore, for the nurse looking to access a database with a vast collection of nursing articles, CINAHL is the most suitable option.

5. A client who has a new prescription for spironolactone is being taught by a nurse. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will avoid foods that are high in potassium.
• B. I will avoid foods that are high in sodium.
• C. I will need to have my blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication.
• D. I will need to have my potassium levels checked regularly while taking this medication.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because clients taking spironolactone should have their potassium levels checked regularly. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, meaning it helps the body retain potassium and can lead to hyperkalemia if levels become too high. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because avoiding foods high in potassium, sodium, or monitoring blood pressure are not specific to the teaching related to spironolactone.

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