Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day 1 following abdominal surgery. What is the nurse's priority action to prevent complications?

• A. Encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry.
• B. Assist the patient in ambulating around the unit.
• C. Reposition the patient every 2 hours.
• D. Administer pain medication as prescribed.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry. Incentive spirometry helps prevent respiratory complications, such as atelectasis, by promoting deep breathing and optimal lung expansion. Ambulating, repositioning, and administering pain medication are important interventions but do not take precedence over preventing respiratory complications in the immediate postoperative period.

2. 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.

3. A nurse is monitoring a client following a thoracentesis. The nurse should identify which of the following manifestations as a complication and contact the provider immediately?

• A. Increased heart rate
• B. Decreased temperature
• C. Serosanguineous drainage from the puncture site
• D. Discomfort at the puncture site

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correct Answer: A nurse should identify an increased heart rate as a complication following a thoracentesis and contact the provider immediately. An increased heart rate may indicate a pneumothorax or other serious complications. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because decreased temperature, serosanguineous drainage, and discomfort at the puncture site are expected findings following a thoracentesis and do not indicate a significant complication requiring immediate provider notification.

4. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with a new tracheostomy?

• A. Suction the tracheostomy as needed to maintain a patent airway.
• B. Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation.
• C. Provide humidified air to prevent drying of the airway.
• D. Administer pain medication as prescribed.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to suction the tracheostomy as needed to maintain a patent airway. After a tracheostomy procedure, the immediate concern is airway patency to prevent respiratory compromise. Suctioning helps clear secretions and maintains a clear airway, reducing the risk of respiratory distress. Monitoring the patient's oxygen saturation (choice B) is important but not the priority compared to ensuring a clear airway. Providing humidified air (choice C) and administering pain medication (choice D) are also essential aspects of care for a patient with a tracheostomy, but they are not the priority when immediate airway management is required.

5. Which therapeutic technique is recommended for clients with somatic symptom disorder?

• A. Encourage complete bed rest
• B. Limit the amount of time the client spends discussing symptoms
• C. Monitor the client's food intake
• D. Educate the client on lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct therapeutic technique recommended for clients with somatic symptom disorder is to limit the amount of time the client spends discussing symptoms. By doing so, the focus can be shifted away from the illness, helping the client to manage their condition better. Encouraging complete bed rest (Choice A) is not typically recommended as it may reinforce illness behaviors. Monitoring the client's food intake (Choice C) may not directly address the psychological aspects of somatic symptom disorder. Educating the client on lifestyle changes (Choice D) is important but may not be as effective initially as limiting symptom-focused discussions.

Similar Questions