Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is collecting data from a male client who is scheduled for a left inguinal herniorrhaphy. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

• A. High blood pressure
• B. Decreased bowel sounds
• C. Constipation
• D. Difficulty urinating

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Difficulty urinating.' This finding is crucial to report promptly as it can indicate a complication, such as urinary retention or injury to the urinary tract, which are significant concerns post-hernia surgery. High blood pressure (Choice A) may require monitoring but is not as urgent as difficulty urinating. Decreased bowel sounds (Choice B) and constipation (Choice C) are common after surgery and may resolve with appropriate interventions but are not as critical as addressing difficulty urinating.

2. A client is reinforcing teaching with a nurse about how to use an incentive spirometer. Which of the following actions by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. The client exhales deeply before inhaling
• B. The client attempts to elevate the cylinder by inhaling deeply
• C. The client inhales quickly through the spirometer
• D. The client inhales several short breaths

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because inhaling deeply and slowly elevates the cylinder on the spirometer, promoting lung expansion. Choice A is incorrect as exhaling deeply before inhaling is not the correct technique for using an incentive spirometer. Choice C is incorrect as inhaling quickly through the spirometer does not promote optimal lung expansion. Choice D is incorrect as inhaling several short breaths does not facilitate the proper use of an incentive spirometer.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for wound irrigation. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Wear sterile gloves when removing the old dressing
• B. Warm the irrigation solution to 40.5°C (105°F)
• C. Cleanse the wound from the center outwards
• D. Use a 20 mL syringe to irrigate the wound

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when caring for a client with a prescription for wound irrigation is to cleanse the wound from the center outwards. This technique helps prevent contamination by pushing debris away from the wound rather than into it. Choice A is incorrect because wearing sterile gloves is important during wound care but not specifically mentioned for wound irrigation. Choice B is incorrect because warming the irrigation solution to a specific temperature is not a standard recommendation and can potentially harm the client. Choice D is incorrect because the size of the syringe may vary based on the wound size and depth, so using a 20 mL syringe is not a universal guideline.

4. What are the signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and how should they be managed?

• A. Nausea, sweating, and increased heart rate; manage with methadone
• B. Pain and restlessness; manage with naloxone
• C. Hallucinations and muscle cramps; manage with clonidine
• D. Severe vomiting and seizures; manage with benzodiazepines

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal include nausea, sweating, and increased heart rate. Methadone is commonly used to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms by alleviating them. Choice B, managing with naloxone, is incorrect as naloxone is primarily used for opioid overdose reversal, not withdrawal. Choice C, managing with clonidine, is incorrect as clonidine is used to manage some symptoms of withdrawal, such as anxiety, agitation, and hypertension, but not hallucinations. Choice D, managing with benzodiazepines, is incorrect as benzodiazepines are not typically used as first-line treatment for opioid withdrawal; they may be considered in specific cases but are not a standard approach.

5. A client who is postoperative following a cholecystectomy has a urine output of 25 mL/hr. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder.
• B. Absent bowel sounds.
• C. Brown drainage on the surgical dressing.
• D. Urine output of 25 mL/hr.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A urine output below 30 mL/hr indicates a potential complication, such as hypovolemia or renal impairment, and should be reported. Abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder can be common after a cholecystectomy due to referred pain from the diaphragm, whereas absent bowel sounds may be expected temporarily postoperatively. Brown drainage on the surgical dressing is typical in the early postoperative period and may represent old blood or other normal discharge.

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