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. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client by nasogastric tube. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer the medication without further assessment.
• B. Check the tube placement before administering any medication.
• C. Administer the medication in liquid form only.
• D. Administer half the dosage as a precaution.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Check the tube placement before administering any medication. Before administering medication through a nasogastric tube, the nurse must first verify the tube's correct placement to ensure the medication reaches the stomach and to prevent complications such as aspiration. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because administering medication without confirming proper tube placement can lead to serious consequences for the client.

3. A healthcare professional is preparing to admit a client to the PACU who received a competitive neuromuscular blocking agent. Which of the following items should the healthcare professional place at the client's bedside?

• A. Defibrillator machine
• B. Chest tube equipment
• C. Central venous catheter tray
• D. Bag-valve-mask device

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: A bag-valve-mask device is necessary in case of respiratory complications that may arise due to the effects of the neuromuscular blocking agent. The competitive nature of the agent can lead to muscle weakness, including respiratory muscles, necessitating immediate respiratory support. Placing a defibrillator machine, chest tube equipment, or central venous catheter tray at the client's bedside would not be the priority in this situation. While these items may be important in specific scenarios, ensuring the availability of a bag-valve-mask device is crucial to address potential airway and breathing issues promptly.

4. Which question is essential during screening for alcohol use disorder?

• A. What is your current employment status?
• B. Have you experienced any blackouts or loss of consciousness?
• C. Have you been sleeping well over the past month?
• D. Do you have a family history of substance use?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The essential question during screening for alcohol use disorder is asking about blackouts or loss of consciousness, which can be indicative of excessive drinking and related to alcohol use disorder. Choices A, C, and D are not as directly related to screening for alcohol use disorder. Employment status (Choice A) is not a primary question in alcohol use disorder screening. Sleep quality (Choice C) and family history of substance use (Choice D) may be relevant but are not as crucial as inquiring about blackouts or loss of consciousness.

5. A nurse is teaching the partner of a client who had a stroke about manifestations of dysphagia. Which of the following statements by the client's partner indicates the need for further teaching?

• A. I will monitor my husband for coughing while he is eating
• B. I will monitor my husband for pocketing food in his mouth
• C. I will monitor for a change in my husband's voice after he swallows
• D. I will monitor my husband for tilting his head forward when he swallows

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Tilting the head forward during swallowing is not a compensatory technique for dysphagia and may increase the risk of aspiration. Choices A, B, and C are correct statements indicating appropriate monitoring for manifestations of dysphagia: coughing while eating, pocketing food in the mouth, and changes in voice after swallowing are all signs that should be monitored.

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