Nursing Elites

1. When performing an abdominal assessment on a client, what action should the nurse take first?

• A. Palpate the abdomen
• B. Auscultate bowel sounds
• C. Inspect the abdomen
• D. Percuss the abdomen

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to auscultate bowel sounds. This action should be taken first because it ensures that bowel sounds are not altered by physical manipulation. Inspecting the abdomen (choice C) may provide visual cues but does not address functional assessment. Palpating the abdomen (choice A) should follow auscultation to prevent altering bowel sounds. Percussing the abdomen (choice D) is typically done after auscultation and palpation.

2. A nurse is reviewing a client's health history and identifies chronic constipation as a potential complication of immobility. What intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Increase fiber intake
• B. Encourage the client to walk daily
• C. Use a stool softener as needed
• D. Use a laxative daily

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Increasing fiber intake is the appropriate intervention to include in the plan of care for a client with chronic constipation due to immobility. Fiber helps add bulk to the stool, making it easier to pass, thereby preventing constipation. Encouraging the client to walk daily (choice B) is also beneficial as it promotes mobility and can help alleviate constipation associated with immobility. Using a stool softener as needed (choice C) and using a laxative daily (choice D) are not the first-line interventions for managing constipation related to immobility. Stool softeners and laxatives should be used judiciously and under healthcare provider guidance.

3. A healthcare professional is reviewing the health history of a client who has a hip fracture. What is a risk factor for developing pressure injuries?

• A. Increased fluid intake
• B. Urinary incontinence
• C. Poor nutrition
• D. Immobility

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Urinary incontinence is a risk factor for developing pressure injuries as it can lead to skin breakdown due to constant exposure to moisture and irritation. Increased fluid intake is important for hydration and overall health but is not directly linked to pressure injuries. Poor nutrition can impair wound healing but is not a direct risk factor for pressure injuries. Immobility can contribute to the development of pressure injuries but is not as directly related as urinary incontinence.

4. A healthcare professional is reviewing the lab results of a client who has been experiencing a fever for 3 days. What finding indicates fluid volume deficit (FVD)?

• A. Decreased hematocrit
• B. Increased white blood cell count
• C. Increased hematocrit
• D. Decreased white blood cell count

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Increased hematocrit indicates hemoconcentration, which is a sign of fluid volume deficit. In FVD, there is a loss of fluid without a proportional loss of electrolytes, leading to hemoconcentration. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Decreased hematocrit and decreased white blood cell count are not typical findings in fluid volume deficit. An increased white blood cell count is more indicative of infection or inflammation rather than fluid volume deficit.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who reports pain and tenderness at the site of an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the nurse's first action?

• A. Irrigate the catheter with normal saline
• B. Notify the provider
• C. Assess for signs of infection
• D. Administer prescribed antibiotics

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when a client reports pain and tenderness at the site of an indwelling urinary catheter is to notify the provider. Pain and tenderness at the catheter site may indicate infection, and the healthcare provider needs to be informed for further assessment and appropriate interventions. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline (Choice A) should not be the initial action without consulting the provider first. While assessing for signs of infection (Choice C) is important, notifying the provider takes precedence. Administering prescribed antibiotics (Choice D) should only be done based on the provider's orders after assessment and confirmation of infection.

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