Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is contributing to the plan of care for a client who has a chest tube connected to a closed drainage system. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

• A. Clamp the chest tube
• B. Maintain the drainage below the level of the chest
• C. Elevate the chest tube above chest level
• D. Avoid frequent dressing changes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with a chest tube connected to a closed drainage system is to maintain the drainage below the level of the chest. This position allows proper drainage of fluids and helps prevent complications such as backflow of blood or fluids into the chest cavity. Clamping the chest tube (Choice A) is incorrect as it can lead to a tension pneumothorax. Elevating the chest tube above chest level (Choice C) is also incorrect because it can impede proper drainage. Avoiding frequent dressing changes (Choice D) is important to prevent introducing infection, but it is not directly related to the position of the drainage system.

2. A healthcare provider is reviewing the medical record of a client who has coronary artery disease (CAD) and a prescription for aspirin. Which of the following findings should the healthcare provider report to the provider?

• A. History of gastrointestinal bleeding
• B. History of asthma
• C. History of liver disease
• D. History of hypertension

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A history of gastrointestinal bleeding is a critical finding to report to the healthcare provider because it is a contraindication for aspirin use in individuals with CAD. Aspirin can further increase the risk of bleeding in individuals with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Choices B, C, and D are not directly contraindications for aspirin use in this scenario. Asthma, liver disease, and hypertension are not typically contraindications for prescribing aspirin to patients with CAD.

3. What are the early signs of DVT?

• A. Leg pain, swelling, and redness
• B. Shortness of breath and high fever
• C. Cough and chest pain
• D. Decreased oxygen saturation and low blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Leg pain, swelling, and redness are early signs of DVT. DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) is a condition where blood clots form in deep veins, commonly in the legs. These clots can cause symptoms like pain, swelling, and redness in the affected leg. Choices B, C, and D describe symptoms more commonly associated with other conditions like pulmonary embolism (shortness of breath and high fever), respiratory issues (cough and chest pain), and cardiovascular problems (decreased oxygen saturation and low blood pressure), respectively. Therefore, they are not indicative of early signs of DVT.

4. A nurse is caring for a client post-abdominal surgery who has an NG tube. The client reports nausea and a decrease in gastric output. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Turn the client onto their left side
• B. Irrigate the NG tube with sterile water
• C. Increase the suction pressure to relieve the blockage
• D. Remove the NG tube and replace it with a new one

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to irrigate the NG tube with sterile water first. This action helps to relieve blockages that may be causing the decrease in gastric output and nausea. Turning the client onto their left side may not directly address the issue with the NG tube. Increasing the suction pressure can further exacerbate the problem and should not be done without assessing the situation first. Removing the NG tube and replacing it with a new one is a more invasive step that should be considered only if other measures are unsuccessful.

5. What are key signs of fluid overload?

• A. Edema
• B. Hypertension
• C. Shortness of breath
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D: All of the above.' Edema, hypertension, and shortness of breath are key signs of fluid overload, particularly common in patients with heart failure. Edema refers to the swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues, hypertension can be a result of fluid volume overload, and shortness of breath can occur due to fluid accumulation in the lungs. Therefore, all these signs collectively indicate fluid overload in a patient. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect individually as each alone may not necessarily indicate fluid overload, but when seen together, they strongly suggest fluid volume excess in the body.

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