Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of the therapy?

• A. Serum calcium level
• B. Platelet count
• C. INR
• D. WBC count

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: The nurse should monitor the client's INR to determine the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. INR monitoring is crucial as it reflects the blood's ability to clot properly. Warfarin is commonly used as an anticoagulant, and maintaining the INR within the therapeutic range ensures that the client is protected from both clotting and bleeding events. Monitoring serum calcium levels, platelet count, or WBC count is not directly related to assessing the effectiveness of warfarin therapy.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a pneumothorax and is being treated with a chest tube. Which of the following findings indicates that the lung has re-expanded?

• A. There is no fluctuation in the water seal chamber.
• B. There is continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber.
• C. There is tidaling in the water seal chamber.
• D. The drainage system is positioned at the level of the client's chest.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'There is no fluctuation in the water seal chamber.' In a client with a pneumothorax being treated with a chest tube, the absence of fluctuation in the water seal chamber indicates that the lung has re-expanded. This finding suggests that there is no air leak from the lung into the pleural space. Choices B and C are incorrect because continuous bubbling in the suction control chamber or tidaling in the water seal chamber would suggest ongoing air leakage, indicating that the lung has not fully re-expanded. Choice D is also incorrect as the position of the drainage system does not directly indicate lung re-expansion.

3. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. The nurse should identify that which of the following findings is a manifestation of opioid toxicity?

• A. Bradypnea.
• B. Tachycardia.
• C. Hypertension.
• D. Diaphoresis.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Bradypnea, or slow breathing, is a common sign of opioid toxicity. When a client is experiencing opioid toxicity, the respiratory system is usually the most affected, leading to a decrease in the respiratory rate (bradypnea). Tachycardia (increased heart rate), hypertension (high blood pressure), and diaphoresis (excessive sweating) are not typical manifestations of opioid toxicity. Therefore, the correct answer is bradypnea.

4. A client with diabetes mellitus is receiving teaching from a nurse about foot care. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Soak your feet in warm water daily.
• B. Wear cotton socks.
• C. Use a heating pad to warm your feet.
• D. Trim toenails straight across.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to trim toenails straight across. This instruction is crucial for clients with diabetes to prevent ingrown toenails, which can lead to infection. Soaking feet in warm water daily can increase the risk of skin breakdown. Cotton socks are recommended, but the priority in foot care for diabetes is proper nail trimming. Using a heating pad can also pose a burn risk for individuals with reduced sensation in their feet.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?

• A. Serum potassium
• B. Platelets
• C. aPTT
• D. INR

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: aPTT. Monitoring the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is crucial when a client is receiving heparin therapy. The aPTT reflects the clotting time and helps assess the effectiveness of heparin in preventing clot formation. Keeping the aPTT within the therapeutic range ensures that the medication is working optimally. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because serum potassium, platelets, and INR are not direct indicators of heparin's effectiveness or therapeutic range.

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