Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from surgery. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Monitor the patient's pain level.
• B. Assess the patient's vital signs.
• C. Assess the surgical incision site.
• D. Position the patient in a high Fowler's position.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the patient's vital signs. Assessing vital signs is crucial as it helps to detect any early signs of complications such as bleeding, shock, or changes in oxygenation. Monitoring the patient's pain level (Choice A) is important but assessing vital signs takes precedence. While assessing the surgical incision site (Choice C) is essential, ensuring the patient's physiological stability through vital sign assessment is the priority. Positioning the patient in a high Fowler's position (Choice D) may be necessary for comfort but does not address the immediate need to assess the patient's condition post-surgery.

2. A patient with heart failure needs education on fluid restrictions. What is the most important information to provide?

• A. Monitor the patient's weight daily.
• B. Provide the patient with a fluid restriction plan.
• C. Instruct the patient to avoid salty foods.
• D. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important information to provide to a patient with heart failure regarding fluid restrictions is to provide them with a fluid restriction plan. This plan helps the patient manage their fluid intake effectively, which is crucial in preventing complications associated with heart failure. Monitoring weight daily can be a part of the plan but is not the most important. Instructing the patient to avoid salty foods is beneficial but not as crucial as having a structured fluid restriction plan. Encouraging the patient to increase fluid intake would be counterproductive and potentially harmful in a patient with heart failure.

3. Which intervention reduces reservoirs of infection in a healthcare setting?

• A. Placing capped needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers
• B. Keeping bedside table surfaces clean and dry
• C. Changing dressings that become wet or soiled
• D. Placing tissues and soiled dressings in paper bags

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Placing capped needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers is the correct intervention to reduce infection reservoirs in healthcare settings. This practice helps prevent accidental needle-stick injuries and contains potentially infectious materials properly. Keeping bedside table surfaces clean and dry (choice B) is essential for preventing the spread of infections but does not directly address reducing reservoirs of infection. Changing dressings that become wet or soiled (choice C) is important for wound care but does not specifically target infection reservoirs. Placing tissues and soiled dressings in paper bags (choice D) is a proper waste disposal practice but does not directly reduce reservoirs of infection in a healthcare setting.

4. A patient is being treated for dehydration. Which lab result would support the diagnosis?

• A. Elevated hemoglobin
• B. Low sodium level
• C. High white blood cell count
• D. Elevated BUN

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Elevated BUN levels are a characteristic finding in dehydration due to reduced kidney perfusion and increased reabsorption of urea. Hemoglobin levels might be elevated in conditions like polycythemia vera, not directly related to dehydration. A low sodium level could be seen in conditions like hyponatremia. A high white blood cell count is more indicative of infection or inflammation rather than dehydration.

5. The client has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. The family asks the nurse to ignore the DNR if the client codes. What is the nurse's responsibility?

• A. Follow the family's wishes
• B. Explain that the DNR must be honored
• C. Ignore the DNR and proceed with CPR
• D. Perform CPR if the client codes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Explain that the DNR must be honored.' The nurse's responsibility is to follow the DNR order, as it is a legal and ethical obligation. Choice A is incorrect because following the family's wishes would go against the established DNR order. Choice C is incorrect as ignoring the DNR order is not appropriate. Choice D is also incorrect as performing CPR would be contrary to the client's expressed wishes in the DNR order.

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