Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is monitoring an older adult female client who had a myocardial infarction (MI) for the development of an acute kidney injury (AKI). Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as indicating an increased risk of AKI?

• A. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
• B. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 20 mg/dL
• C. Serum Osmolality 290 mOsm/kg H2O
• D. Serum creatinine 1.8 mg/dL

Correct answer: D

Rationale: An elevated serum creatinine level (1.8 mg/dL) is a significant indicator of potential kidney impairment. In acute kidney injury (AKI), serum creatinine levels rise due to decreased kidney function, reflecting the kidneys' inability to effectively filter waste from the blood. Magnesium level, BUN, and serum osmolality are not direct indicators of kidney function or risk of AKI. Magnesium levels are more related to electrolyte balance, BUN can be affected by factors other than kidney function, and serum osmolality reflects the concentration of solutes in the blood, not specifically kidney function.

2. A healthcare provider gives a verbal order for a medication. The nurse is uncomfortable with the order and questions its appropriateness. What should the nurse do?

• A. Refuse to administer the medication and document the refusal.
• B. Clarify the order with the provider before proceeding.
• C. Administer the medication and monitor the patient.
• D. Call a pharmacy consult to discuss the medication.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when uncomfortable with a verbal order for medication is to clarify the order with the provider before proceeding. This ensures patient safety by confirming the appropriateness of the order and prevents any potential harm. Choice A is incorrect because refusing to administer the medication without clarification may delay necessary treatment for the patient. Choice C is incorrect as administering the medication without clarification could pose risks if the order is indeed inappropriate. Choice D is also incorrect as the first step should be direct clarification with the provider before involving others.

3. Which action by the nurse will help reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a postoperative patient?

• A. Encourage early ambulation and leg exercises.
• B. Apply compression stockings to the patient's legs.
• C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed.
• D. Elevate the patient's legs to promote circulation.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage early ambulation and leg exercises. By promoting early ambulation and leg exercises, blood flow is enhanced, reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postoperative patients. Choice B, applying compression stockings, helps prevent VTE but is not as effective as early ambulation and exercises. Choice C, administering anticoagulants, is important in VTE prevention but does not directly address improving circulation through physical activity. Choice D, elevating the patient's legs, may be beneficial for circulation in specific cases but is not as effective in preventing VTE as early ambulation and leg exercises.

4. What is the most important action for the nurse to take after finding a patient on the floor who reports, 'I fell out of bed'?

• A. Reassess the patient.
• B. Complete an incident report.
• C. Notify the health care provider.
• D. Take no action, as no harm has occurred.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most important action for the nurse to take after finding a patient on the floor who reports falling out of bed is to notify the health care provider. This is crucial to ensure that the incident is reported, documented, and that the patient receives necessary follow-up care. Reassessing the patient is important, but notifying the healthcare provider takes precedence to address any potential injuries or issues that may have resulted from the fall. Completing an incident report is necessary, but immediate notification to the healthcare provider is more critical in this situation. Doing nothing is not an appropriate response, as the patient's safety and well-being must be the top priority.

5. A client with a history of falls is under the care of a nurse. Which intervention is most important to implement?

• A. Increase the frequency of bed checks.
• B. Use bed alarms to prevent falls.
• C. Keep the room well lit during the day.
• D. Encourage the client to use a walker for mobility.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Using bed alarms to prevent falls is the most important intervention to implement for a client with a history of falls. Bed alarms can provide timely alerts to the healthcare team, allowing for quick assistance to prevent falls. Increasing the frequency of bed checks may not necessarily prevent falls as effectively as direct intervention with bed alarms. Keeping the room well lit is important for general safety but may not address the immediate risk of falls. Encouraging the client to use a walker for mobility is beneficial but may not be as crucial as implementing bed alarms to prevent falls in this scenario.

Similar Questions