Nursing Elites

1. A client is postoperative following a hip arthroplasty. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Encourage the client to lie flat in bed.
• B. Apply heat to the incision site.
• C. Use an abduction pillow between the client's legs.
• D. Place a trochanter roll under the client's knees.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Using an abduction pillow between the client's legs is essential in maintaining proper alignment and preventing dislocation of the hip joint following a hip arthroplasty. Encouraging the client to lie flat in bed (Choice A) is not recommended as early mobilization is crucial for preventing complications. Applying heat to the incision site (Choice B) is not typically done immediately postoperatively. Placing a trochanter roll under the client's knees (Choice D) is not as beneficial as using an abduction pillow to maintain proper positioning.

2. A healthcare professional is caring for a client who has a new prescription for metformin. Which of the following laboratory results should the healthcare professional review before administering the medication?

• A. Potassium
• B. Serum creatinine
• C. Sodium
• D. Hemoglobin A1C

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Correct Answer: The healthcare professional should review serum creatinine levels before administering metformin to assess kidney function. Metformin is excreted by the kidneys, and checking serum creatinine helps prevent lactic acidosis, a potential side effect in individuals with impaired renal function. Choice A: Potassium levels are not directly related to the administration of metformin. While monitoring potassium levels is important for some medications, it is not the priority when initiating metformin. Choice C: Sodium levels are not typically assessed specifically before starting metformin. It is not a routine lab test required prior to metformin administration. Choice D: Hemoglobin A1C reflects long-term blood sugar control and is not a lab test that needs to be reviewed before initiating metformin. It is used to monitor diabetes management over time, not for immediate medication administration considerations.

3. 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.

4. What is the best intervention for a patient with respiratory distress?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Reposition the patient
• C. Provide bronchodilators
• D. Provide humidified air

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is the best intervention for a patient with respiratory distress because it helps improve oxygenation levels and alleviates respiratory distress directly. Providing oxygen addresses the primary issue of inadequate oxygen supply, which is crucial in managing respiratory distress. Repositioning the patient, while important for airway clearance, may not address the immediate need for oxygen. Providing bronchodilators and humidified air can be beneficial in certain respiratory conditions, but when a patient is in respiratory distress, ensuring adequate oxygenation through oxygen administration takes precedence.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin IV for augmentation of labor. The client's contractions are occurring every 45 seconds with a nine-second duration, and the fetal heart rate is 170 to 180 beats per minute. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Discontinue oxytocin infusion
• B. Increase oxytocin infusion
• C. Decrease oxytocin infusion
• D. Maintain oxytocin infusion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the client is experiencing frequent contractions with a short duration and an elevated fetal heart rate, indicating potential fetal distress. Discontinuing the oxytocin infusion is crucial to prevent further complications and restore normal fetal parameters. Increasing or maintaining the oxytocin infusion could exacerbate the situation, leading to more distress for the fetus. Decreasing the oxytocin infusion may not be sufficient to address the current issue and could delay the improvement of fetal well-being.

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