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 assessing a client who has been receiving intermittent enteral feedings. What should the nurse identify as an intolerance to the feeding?

• A. Nausea
• B. Decreased heart rate
• C. Weight gain
• D. Fever

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Nausea is a common symptom of intolerance to enteral feedings. When a client experiences nausea during enteral feeding, it can indicate issues such as feeding tube placement problems, formula intolerance, or gastroparesis. Nausea can lead to vomiting and further complications if not addressed promptly. Decreased heart rate, weight gain, and fever are not typically associated with intolerance to enteral feedings and would not be the primary indicators for this situation.

3. A healthcare provider is assessing the pain level of a client who has dementia and difficulty communicating. Which pain assessment technique should the healthcare provider use?

• A. Verbal self-report
• B. Pain scale
• C. Behavioral indicators
• D. Observing facial expressions

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In clients with dementia and difficulty communicating, using behavioral indicators such as agitation and restlessness is more reliable for assessing pain than relying on verbal self-report, pain scales, or observing facial expressions. Verbal self-report may not be possible due to communication challenges, pain scales may be difficult for the client to comprehend, and observing facial expressions alone may not provide a comprehensive assessment of pain in individuals with dementia.

4. A client has a new prescription for a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). What instruction should the nurse include?

• A. Inhale the medication for 1 second
• B. Shake the inhaler vigorously before use
• C. Hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the mouth
• D. Exhale immediately after inhalation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is to hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the mouth. This distance allows for the proper delivery of the medication into the lungs. Choice A is incorrect because the duration of inhalation can vary depending on the medication, and 1 second may not be adequate. Choice B is incorrect as shaking the inhaler vigorously is not necessary for all MDIs and can lead to inaccurate dosing. Choice D is incorrect as the client should hold their breath for about 10 seconds after inhalation to allow the medication to deposit in the lungs.

5. 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.

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