Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is contributing to the plan of care for a client who is receiving mechanical ventilation. Which of the following interventions should the healthcare professional recommend?

• A. Suction the airway every hour
• B. Keep the head of the bed at 30 degrees
• C. Change the ventilator tubing every day
• D. Administer a bronchodilator every 2 hours

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to keep the head of the bed at 30 degrees. This position helps reduce the risk of aspiration and improves ventilation. Suctioning the airway every hour may lead to mucosal damage and increase the risk of infection. Changing the ventilator tubing every day is not necessary unless there are specific indications to do so, as it can increase the risk of contamination and infection. Administering a bronchodilator every 2 hours is not a standard practice and should be done based on the client's individualized treatment plan.

2. A client with hypokalemia is commonly expected to present with which of the following findings?

• A. Muscle weakness
• B. Nausea
• C. Tingling sensation
• D. Increased thirst

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Muscle weakness. Hypokalemia is characterized by low potassium levels in the blood, which can lead to muscle weakness. This occurs because potassium is essential for proper muscle function, and a deficiency can impair muscle strength. Nausea (choice B) is not a typical finding associated with hypokalemia. Tingling sensation (choice C) is more commonly linked to issues like nerve damage or poor blood circulation, rather than hypokalemia. Increased thirst (choice D) is not a direct symptom of hypokalemia; it is more commonly seen in conditions like diabetes or dehydration.

3. A nurse is administering lorazepam to a client who is scheduled for surgery within 1 hr. Which of the following actions should the nurse take after administering the medication?

• A. Keep the client awake
• B. Instruct the client not to get out of bed
• C. Encourage the client to drink fluids
• D. Encourage early ambulation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client not to get out of bed. Lorazepam is a sedative that can cause drowsiness and impair coordination. By instructing the client not to get out of bed, the nurse helps prevent falls or injuries that could occur due to the medication's sedative effects. Choice A is incorrect as keeping the client awake may not be necessary and could lead to unnecessary discomfort. Choice C is incorrect as encouraging the client to drink fluids is not directly related to the administration of lorazepam. Choice D is incorrect as early ambulation is not safe immediately after administering a sedative medication.

4. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is taking furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
• B. Sodium level of 135 mEq/L
• C. Magnesium level of 1.6 mEq/L
• D. Calcium level of 8.5 mg/dL

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A magnesium level of 1.6 mEq/L is within the normal range, but monitoring potassium levels is crucial for clients taking furosemide. Furosemide can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels), which can lead to adverse effects such as cardiac dysrhythmias. Sodium and calcium levels are not typically affected by furosemide, so they are not the priority findings to report to the provider in this case.

5. What is a primary symptom of left-sided heart failure?

• A. Shortness of breath
• B. Edema
• C. Rapid heartbeat
• D. Confusion

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Shortness of breath is a primary symptom of left-sided heart failure. In this condition, the heart's inability to pump effectively leads to fluid backing up into the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. Edema (swelling), rapid heartbeat, and confusion are more commonly associated with other conditions or right-sided heart failure. Edema is often seen in right-sided heart failure due to fluid accumulation in the body, rapid heartbeat can be a general sign of heart issues, and confusion is more related to decreased brain perfusion in severe heart failure cases.

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