Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a patient postoperatively after a thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings should be reported immediately?

• A. Hoarseness
• B. Difficulty swallowing
• C. Numbness in the fingers
• D. Tingling around the mouth

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Tingling around the mouth should be reported immediately as it may indicate hypocalcemia, a serious complication resulting from accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy. Hoarseness and difficulty swallowing are common post-thyroidectomy symptoms related to the surgery itself and the manipulation of the vocal cords and nearby structures. Numbness in the fingers is not typically associated with immediate serious complications of a thyroidectomy.

2. A client complains of pain in their leg, and the nurse notes swelling and pallor. What is the priority nursing action?

• A. Administer pain medication.
• B. Elevate the limb and monitor closely.
• C. Encourage movement to reduce swelling.
• D. Notify the provider immediately about the symptoms.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Notify the provider immediately about the symptoms. Swelling and pallor in a limb can be indicative of serious circulatory issues or compartment syndrome. It is crucial to inform the healthcare provider promptly to assess and address the situation. Administering pain medication (choice A) may temporarily alleviate the symptoms but does not address the underlying cause. Elevating the limb and monitoring closely (choice B) can be beneficial but does not replace the need for immediate professional evaluation. Encouraging movement to reduce swelling (choice C) is contraindicated in this scenario as it may worsen the condition if a circulatory issue or compartment syndrome is present.

3. A client who reports insomnia is being taught by a nurse about promoting rest and sleep. Which statement should indicate to the nurse that the client understands the instructions?

• A. I will walk briskly for 30 minutes before bedtime
• B. I will have a cup of hot cocoa immediately before bedtime
• C. I will no longer have a glass of wine before bedtime
• D. I will do my muscle relaxation techniques each afternoon

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because avoiding alcohol before bedtime can help promote better sleep. Choice A is incorrect as vigorous exercise close to bedtime can actually hinder sleep. Choice B is also incorrect as consuming beverages with caffeine or sugar close to bedtime can disrupt sleep. Choice D, while a good practice, does not directly address the issue of avoiding alcohol before bedtime to improve sleep quality.

4. What are the complications of diabetes mellitus that a nurse should monitor for?

• A. Peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy
• B. All of the above
• C. Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
• D. Nephropathy and cardiovascular disease

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Complications of diabetes mellitus that a nurse should monitor for include nephropathy and cardiovascular disease, in addition to diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, neuropathy, and retinopathy. While choices A and C mention some complications of diabetes, they do not cover all the complications that a nurse should monitor for. Choice B is incorrect as it suggests selecting all options, which is not accurate.

5. A client is prescribed 1g of potassium phosphate IV to be infused continuously over 6 hr. Available is 1 g in 250 ml of dextrose 5%. What rate should the nurse set the IV pump to run at?

• A. 40 ml/hr
• B. 42 ml/hr
• C. 44 ml/hr
• D. 46 ml/hr

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To calculate the IV rate, divide the total volume by the total time in hours. In this case, 1 g in 250 ml is to be infused over 6 hours. Therefore, 250 ml / 6 hr = 42 ml/hr. This means the IV pump should be set to run at 42 ml/hr. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately calculate the infusion rate based on the provided information.

Similar Questions