Nursing Elites

1. When preparing a client for transfer to the ICU for placement of a pulmonary artery catheter, the nurse should explain that this catheter is used to monitor which of the following conditions?

• A. Intracranial pressure
• B. Spinal cord perfusion
• C. Renal function
• D. Hemodynamic status

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A pulmonary artery catheter is primarily used to monitor hemodynamic status. It provides essential information on cardiac output, preload, afterload, and overall cardiovascular function. This data helps healthcare providers manage the client's fluid status, cardiac function, and guide treatment interventions in critically ill patients. Monitoring intracranial pressure, spinal cord perfusion, or renal function would require different monitoring devices and techniques, not a pulmonary artery catheter.

2. A client who is interested in smoking cessation receives teaching from a nurse. Which statements should the nurse include in this teaching? (Select ONE that does not apply)

• A. Find an activity that you enjoy and that will keep your hands busy.
• B. Keep healthy snacks on hand to nibble on.
• C. Identify reasons for quitting smoking.
• D. Make a list of reasons for quitting smoking.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When teaching a client interested in smoking cessation, the nurse should include advice to find an activity that keeps hands busy to help distract from smoking urges, keep healthy snacks on hand to manage oral cravings, and drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to aid in flushing out toxins. Making a list of reasons for quitting smoking is also beneficial to reinforce motivation. It is important to avoid punitive measures or punishments for relapses as this can negatively impact the client's progress.

3. A client is vomiting. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Provide the client with an emesis basin
• B. Notify housekeeping
• C. Prevent the client from aspirating
• D. Administer an antiemetic to the client

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a client is vomiting, the priority action for the nurse is to prevent the client from aspirating. Aspiration can lead to serious respiratory complications. Providing the client with an emesis basin can be helpful but preventing aspiration takes precedence. Notifying housekeeping and administering an antiemetic are secondary actions that can be addressed once the client's safety is ensured.

4. A client is receiving discharge teaching after a total hip replacement. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. I will avoid crossing my legs when sitting.
• B. I can sleep on my side as long as I use a pillow between my legs.
• C. I will avoid bending at the waist to pick things up.
• D. I can bend down to tie my shoes after 2 weeks.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After a total hip replacement, clients should avoid bending at the waist past 90 degrees for at least 6 weeks to prevent dislocation of the hip prosthesis. Bending down to tie shoes involves significant hip flexion and should be avoided during the initial postoperative period to ensure proper healing and reduce the risk of complications.

5. A nurse in the PACU is assessing a client who has an endotracheal tube (ET) in place and observes the absence of left-sided chest wall expansion upon respiration. Which of the following complications should the nurse suspect?

• A. Blockage of the ET tube by the client's tongue
• B. Passage of the ET tube into the esophagus
• C. Movement of the ET tube into the right main bronchus
• D. Infection of the vocal cords

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When the nurse observes the absence of left-sided chest wall expansion upon respiration, it indicates that the endotracheal tube (ET) may have migrated into the right main bronchus, leading to uneven chest expansion. This can result in inadequate ventilation to the left lung, causing respiratory compromise. The other options, such as blockage of the ET tube by the client's tongue, passage of the ET tube into the esophagus, and infection of the vocal cords, do not directly explain the observed chest wall asymmetry and respiratory distress.

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