Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing a sterile field for a client with a surgical wound. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain the sterile field?

• A. Open sterile packages using the flap closest to your body first.
• B. Don sterile gloves before opening the sterile package.
• C. Avoid reaching over the sterile field.
• D. Place sterile items at least 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action to maintain a sterile field is to avoid reaching over it. This prevents contamination of the sterile environment by reducing the risk of unintentionally dropping microorganisms from non-sterile areas onto the sterile field. Opening sterile packages using the flap closest to your body first (choice A) is a good practice but not directly related to maintaining the sterile field. Donning sterile gloves before opening the sterile package (choice B) is crucial for maintaining sterility but not specific to maintaining the sterile field. Placing sterile items at least 2.5 cm (1 in) from the edge of the sterile field (choice D) is important to prevent accidental contamination, but it is not the primary action to maintain the sterile field.

2. A nurse is assessing a client who is 48 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Serosanguineous drainage on the surgical dressing.
• B. Temperature of 37.8°C (100°F).
• C. Urine output of 75 mL in the past 4 hours.
• D. WBC count of 15,000/mm³.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. An elevated WBC count can indicate a potential infection, especially in a postoperative client. This finding should be reported to the provider for further evaluation and management. Choices A, B, and C are common occurrences in postoperative clients and may not necessarily indicate a severe issue. Serosanguineous drainage on the surgical dressing is a normal finding in the immediate postoperative period. A temperature of 37.8°C (100°F) can be a mild fever, which is common postoperatively due to the body's response to tissue injury. Urine output of 75 mL in the past 4 hours may be within normal limits for a postoperative client, especially if they are still recovering from anesthesia.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a high-protein diet to promote wound healing. Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend?

• A. Bananas
• B. Fish
• C. White bread
• D. Chicken breast

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Chicken breast is an excellent source of protein, which is essential for wound healing due to its role in tissue repair and regeneration. Fish is also a good source of protein, but chicken breast is a more commonly recommended option for wound healing due to its high protein content and lower fat content compared to some types of fish. Bananas and white bread, on the other hand, are not high-protein foods and do not provide the necessary nutrients for wound healing.

4. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is being taught self-administration of insulin by a nurse. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Inject air into the vial before withdrawing the insulin.
• B. Draw up the short-acting insulin first, then the long-acting insulin.
• C. Store unopened insulin vials in the freezer.
• D. Rotate injection sites within the same anatomical region.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct instruction the nurse should include is to rotate injection sites within the same anatomical region. This practice helps reduce the risk of lipodystrophy, a condition characterized by fatty tissue changes due to repeated insulin injections in the same spot. By rotating sites, the client ensures better insulin absorption and prevents localized skin changes. Injecting air into the vial before withdrawing insulin (Choice A) is unnecessary and not recommended. Drawing up short-acting insulin before long-acting insulin (Choice B) is not a standard practice and can lead to errors in dosing. Storing unopened insulin vials in the freezer (Choice C) is incorrect as insulin should be stored in the refrigerator, not the freezer, to maintain its effectiveness.

5. A nurse is planning care for a client who has a new prescription for a peripheral intravenous (IV) catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent infection?

• A. Shave the hair at the insertion site.
• B. Cleanse the site with povidone-iodine.
• C. Wear sterile gloves when changing the dressing.
• D. Change the IV site every 48 to 72 hours.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action to prevent infection when caring for a client with a new peripheral IV catheter is to change the IV site every 48 to 72 hours. Shaving the hair at the insertion site can actually increase the risk of infection by causing microabrasions in the skin. While cleansing the site with povidone-iodine is important before insertion, it is not necessary to continue doing so once the IV is in place. Wearing sterile gloves when changing the dressing is crucial for maintaining aseptic technique but does not directly prevent infection related to the IV site itself.

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