Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia who has a new prescription for antibiotics. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer the antibiotic immediately
• B. Obtain a sputum culture
• C. Notify the provider of the prescription
• D. Check the client's allergy history

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when caring for a client with pneumonia who has a new prescription for antibiotics is to obtain a sputum culture. This is important to identify the specific bacteria causing the pneumonia before administering antibiotics. Administering the antibiotic immediately (Choice A) may not be appropriate without knowing the specific pathogen. Notifying the provider of the prescription (Choice C) is important but not the first action to be taken. Checking the client's allergy history (Choice D) is relevant but not the priority in this situation.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who had a total thyroidectomy and has a serum calcium level of 7.6 mg/dL. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Shortened QT intervals
• B. Hypoactive deep tendon reflexes
• C. Tingling of the extremities
• D. Constipation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Tingling of the extremities. Tingling is a common symptom of hypocalcemia, which is expected with low calcium levels after a thyroidectomy. Option A, shortened QT intervals, is associated with hypercalcemia rather than hypocalcemia. Option B, hypoactive deep tendon reflexes, is not typically related to hypocalcemia. Option D, constipation, is not a common finding associated with low calcium levels.

3. A healthcare professional suspects a colleague of diverting narcotics. What is the first step the healthcare professional should take?

• A. Confront the colleague directly
• B. Report the suspicion to the supervisor
• C. Ignore the issue and continue working
• D. Notify the pharmacy about the colleague's behavior

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first step for a healthcare professional who suspects a colleague of diverting narcotics is to report the suspicion to the supervisor. This action is essential to protect patient safety, uphold ethical standards, and comply with legal obligations. Confronting the colleague directly may not only escalate the situation but also jeopardize the investigation process. Ignoring the issue and continuing to work could potentially harm patients and violate professional responsibilities. Notifying the pharmacy, while important, should come after informing the appropriate supervisor or authority within the healthcare facility.

4. A nurse is presenting educational materials for a group of middle-aged clients about menopausal hormone therapy following a total hysterectomy. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

• A. Take at different times of the day
• B. Prevents from having a cerebral hemorrhage
• C. Prevents osteoporotic fractures
• D. Take an extra dose if missed a day

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct information the nurse should include is that menopausal hormone therapy helps prevent osteoporotic fractures by maintaining bone density. Option A is incorrect as hormone therapy should be taken consistently at the same time each day for optimal effectiveness. Option B is incorrect as menopausal hormone therapy is not primarily aimed at preventing cerebral hemorrhage. Option D is incorrect because taking an extra dose is not recommended if a dose is missed; instead, the missed dose should be taken as soon as remembered, unless it is close to the time for the next dose.

5. What is the primary goal when caring for a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

• A. Maintain the patient's oxygen saturation above 90%.
• B. Administer bronchodilators as prescribed.
• C. Improve the patient's nutritional intake.
• D. Encourage the patient to limit physical activity.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to maintain the patient's oxygen saturation above 90% when caring for a patient with COPD. In COPD, impaired gas exchange leads to decreased oxygen levels in the blood. By ensuring oxygen saturation remains above 90%, healthcare providers can prevent hypoxia and its complications. Administering bronchodilators as prescribed (Choice B) is an important intervention in managing COPD symptoms, but it is not the primary goal. Improving the patient's nutritional intake (Choice C) and encouraging the patient to limit physical activity (Choice D) are also essential aspects of COPD management, but they are not the primary goal when caring for a patient with this condition.

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