Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an abdominal surgery. Which of the following assessments should the nurse prioritize?

• A. Assess the client's pain level.
• B. Monitor the client's respiratory rate.
• C. Measure the client's blood pressure.
• D. Check the client's bowel sounds.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the client's respiratory rate. This assessment is crucial in the postoperative period to detect any respiratory complications such as hypoxia or respiratory distress. Assessing pain level (Choice A) is important but may not be the top priority as respiratory status takes precedence. Measuring blood pressure (Choice C) is also important but not as critical immediately postoperatively as monitoring respiratory function. Checking bowel sounds (Choice D) is relevant for assessing gastrointestinal function but is typically not the top priority in the immediate postoperative phase.

2. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has hypothyroidism. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Weight gain of 1.4 kg (3 lb) in the past 2 weeks.
• B. Exophthalmos.
• C. Tachycardia.
• D. Heat intolerance.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Weight gain can indicate myxedema, which is a symptom commonly seen in hypothyroidism. Exophthalmos (choice B) is actually a characteristic finding of hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism. Tachycardia (choice C) and heat intolerance (choice D) are also more indicative of hyperthyroidism rather than hypothyroidism.

3. A nurse is assessing a client who is 1 hour postoperative following a hysterectomy. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Heart rate of 78/min.
• B. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg.
• C. Oxygen saturation of 94%.
• D. Respiratory rate of 16/min.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A heart rate of 78/min is within the normal range; however, postoperative patients require close monitoring for any signs of complications. While the heart rate is normal, other critical findings such as increased pain, excessive bleeding, or other concerning symptoms may need immediate attention. Choices B, C, and D all indicate normal postoperative vital signs and oxygen saturation levels, which do not raise immediate concerns requiring reporting to the provider.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing dysphagia. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

• A. Administer thickened liquids.
• B. Provide small bites of food.
• C. Encourage the client to eat quickly to avoid fatigue.
• D. Have the client lie supine after meals.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with dysphagia is to administer thickened liquids. Thickened liquids help prevent aspiration, which is a common risk for clients with swallowing difficulties. Providing small bites of food (choice B) can help, but the priority is to modify the liquid consistency. Encouraging the client to eat quickly (choice C) is not recommended as it may increase the risk of aspiration and fatigue. Having the client lie supine after meals (choice D) can actually increase the risk of aspiration, especially in clients with dysphagia.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving continuous enteral feedings through a nasogastric tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Keep the head of the bed elevated to 15 degrees.
• B. Change the feeding bag every 48 hours.
• C. Administer the feeding through a large-bore syringe.
• D. Flush the tube with 0.9% sodium chloride every 4 hours.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take is to flush the tube with 0.9% sodium chloride every 4 hours. This helps maintain patency and prevents clogs during enteral feedings. Keeping the head of the bed elevated to 15 degrees (Choice A) is important for preventing aspiration but is not directly related to tube care. Changing the feeding bag every 48 hours (Choice B) is not a standard practice as the bag should be changed every 24 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Administering the feeding through a large-bore syringe (Choice C) is incorrect as enteral feedings should be given through an appropriate feeding pump for accuracy and safety.

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