Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is developing a plan of care for an older adult who is at risk for falls. Which of the following actions should the nurse include?

• A. Lock beds and wheelchairs when not in use
• B. Administer a sedative at bedtime
• C. Provide information about home safety checks
• D. Teach balance and strengthening exercises

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to include in the plan of care for an older adult at risk for falls is to lock beds and wheelchairs when not in use. This measure is crucial for preventing falls and ensuring patient safety in healthcare settings. Administering sedatives at bedtime (Choice B) is not recommended as it does not address the underlying risk factors for falls and may increase the risk of injury. Providing information about home safety checks (Choice C) is important for fall prevention in the home environment but is not directly related to healthcare settings. Teaching balance and strengthening exercises (Choice D) is beneficial for fall prevention but may not be suitable for all older adults at risk for falls, especially in acute care settings.

2. Which intervention is most effective in managing a patient with chronic pain?

• A. Administer opioid medications as prescribed.
• B. Teach the patient relaxation techniques.
• C. Encourage the patient to perform range of motion exercises.
• D. Recommend complete bed rest to minimize pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective intervention in managing a patient with chronic pain is teaching the patient relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, decrease muscle tension, and improve pain management in patients with chronic pain. Administering opioids as prescribed may have risks of dependence and side effects, making it less favorable as a first-line intervention. Encouraging range of motion exercises can be beneficial, but relaxation techniques directly target stress reduction, a common exacerbating factor in chronic pain. Recommending complete bed rest is generally discouraged in chronic pain management as it can lead to deconditioning and worsen pain over time.

3. A nurse is observing a patient's use of a walker. Which observation indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. The patient advances the walker too far ahead.
• B. The patient uses the walker to assist in standing.
• C. The patient maintains their balance while using the walker.
• D. The patient walks with their back hunched over.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because advancing the walker too far ahead increases the risk of falls, indicating a need for further teaching. Choice B is correct as using the walker to assist in standing is a proper use. Choice C is correct as maintaining balance while using the walker shows proper technique. Choice D is incorrect as walking with the back hunched over is a posture issue, not directly related to walker use.

4. When teaching a patient with a new prescription for brimonidine to treat open-angle glaucoma, what indicates an understanding of the instructions?

• A. I can expect my vision to improve quickly
• B. I should use it only when my eyes are irritated
• C. I can expect to feel some irritation when I put these drops in my eyes
• D. I will need regular eye exams

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. When using brimonidine to treat open-angle glaucoma, patients may experience temporary irritation in the eyes. Choice A is incorrect because vision improvement from brimonidine is not immediate. Choice B is incorrect as brimonidine should be used as prescribed, not just when eyes are irritated. Choice D is important but does not directly indicate an understanding of the medication's use.

5. The family member is observing a family member changing a dressing for a patient in the home health environment. Which observation indicates the family member has a correct understanding of how to manage contaminated dressings?

• A. The family member saves part of the dressing because it is clean.
• B. The family member places the used dressings in a plastic bag.
• C. The family member removes gloves and gathers items for disposal.
• D. The family member wraps the used dressing in toilet tissue before placing it in the trash.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct way to manage contaminated dressings is to place them in plastic bags for proper disposal. This helps prevent the spread of infection. Choice A is incorrect because saving part of the dressing is not a recommended practice. Choice C is not directly related to managing contaminated dressings. Choice D is incorrect as wrapping the used dressing in toilet tissue is not the appropriate way to dispose of contaminated dressings.

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