Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is performing a focused assessment on a client who has a history of COPD and is experiencing dyspnea. What finding should the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Decreased respiratory rate
• B. Flushing of the skin
• C. Flaring of the nostrils
• D. Productive cough

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Flaring of the nostrils is a sign of increased respiratory effort, which is common in clients with COPD experiencing dyspnea. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. A decreased respiratory rate is not expected in a client with COPD experiencing dyspnea, as they often have an increased respiratory rate. Flushing of the skin is not a typical finding associated with COPD or dyspnea. While a productive cough can be seen in COPD, it is not specifically related to the increased respiratory effort seen with dyspnea.

2. A nurse is preparing to administer enteral feedings to a client with an NG tube. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
• B. Verify tube placement
• C. Elevate the head of the bed
• D. Measure the residual gastric volume

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the priority action the nurse should take before administering enteral feedings. This step ensures that the NG tube is correctly positioned, reducing the risk of complications such as aspiration pneumonia. Flushing the tube with water, elevating the head of the bed, and measuring residual gastric volume are important steps in enteral feeding administration but come after verifying tube placement. Flushing the tube with water helps clear the tubing, elevating the head of the bed reduces the risk of aspiration, and measuring residual gastric volume helps assess the client's tolerance to feedings.

3. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a prescription for home oxygen therapy. What should the nurse teach?

• A. Remove the oxygen tubing during meals
• B. Wear synthetic fabrics while using oxygen
• C. Use cotton fabrics when oxygen is in use
• D. Increase oxygen flow during physical activity

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Use cotton fabrics when oxygen is in use.' When a client is on oxygen therapy, it is essential to use cotton fabrics to reduce the risk of static electricity, which can ignite in the presence of oxygen. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Removing the oxygen tubing during meals is not necessary as long as proper precautions are taken to avoid tripping hazards. Synthetic fabrics should be avoided while using oxygen therapy to prevent static electricity buildup. Increasing oxygen flow during physical activity should be done according to the healthcare provider's instructions, not indiscriminately.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. What should the nurse identify as a sign of catheter occlusion?

• A. Bladder spasms
• B. Bladder distention
• C. Frequent urination
• D. Hematuria

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bladder distention. Bladder distention is a sign of catheter occlusion because it indicates a failure to drain urine properly. Bladder spasms (Choice A) are more commonly associated with bladder irritability rather than catheter occlusion. Frequent urination (Choice C) is unlikely in a client with an indwelling catheter as the urine should be draining continuously. Hematuria (Choice D) refers to blood in the urine and is not typically a direct sign of catheter occlusion.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who reports a burning sensation at the site of a peripheral IV. The site is red and swollen. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Apply a cold compress
• B. Discontinue the IV line
• C. Elevate the limb
• D. Increase the IV flow rate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to discontinue the IV line. The client's symptoms of a burning sensation, redness, and swelling at the IV site indicate phlebitis, which is inflammation of the vein. The priority action in this situation is to remove the source of irritation, which is the IV line, to prevent further complications such as infection or thrombosis. Applying a cold compress may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue. Elevating the limb is not the priority in this case. Increasing the IV flow rate can worsen the phlebitis by causing further irritation to the vein.

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