Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. What is the most important action to ensure patient safety?

• A. Check the patient's vital signs every 15 minutes during the transfusion.
• B. Verify the patient's identity with two identifiers before starting the transfusion.
• C. Ensure the blood product is administered within 4 hours of removal from the blood bank.
• D. Ensure the patient has signed the informed consent form.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important action to ensure patient safety when administering a blood transfusion is to verify the patient's identity with two identifiers before starting the transfusion. This step is crucial to prevent transfusion errors, such as giving the blood to the wrong patient. Checking vital signs, ensuring timely administration, and confirming informed consent are also important aspects of blood transfusion safety but verifying the patient's identity is the highest priority to prevent errors.

2. A healthcare provider is assessing a patient with dehydration. Which finding indicates the patient's condition is worsening?

• A. Dry mucous membranes.
• B. Tachycardia and low blood pressure.
• C. Bradycardia and shallow respirations.
• D. Clear lung sounds.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Tachycardia and low blood pressure are indicative of worsening dehydration in a patient. Tachycardia is the body's compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output in response to decreased intravascular volume, while low blood pressure reflects inadequate perfusion due to decreased fluid levels. Bradycardia and shallow respirations are not typical findings in worsening dehydration, and clear lung sounds do not directly correlate with the severity of dehydration.

3. A healthcare provider is assessing a client who has been using beclomethasone for 2 weeks to manage her asthma. What is the priority to report to the provider?

• A. Sore throat
• B. Cough
• C. Chest tightness
• D. Bronchospasms

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Bronchospasms. Bronchospasms can indicate worsening asthma and are considered a severe side effect that requires immediate attention. While sore throat, cough, and chest tightness are also possible side effects of beclomethasone, bronchospasms are of higher concern due to their association with significant respiratory distress and potential exacerbation of asthma symptoms.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who has an ethical conflict about the care she is receiving. Which of the following resources should the nurse consult about resolving the dilemma?

• A. Hospital ethics committee
• B. Quality improvement committee
• C. Chaplain
• D. Director of nursing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the hospital ethics committee. This committee is specifically designed to address and resolve ethical conflicts in patient care. It comprises professionals from various disciplines who can provide guidance and support in navigating ethical dilemmas. Choice B, the quality improvement committee, focuses on enhancing the quality of care provided but may not be equipped to handle ethical conflicts. Choice C, the chaplain, offers spiritual and emotional support but may not have the expertise to resolve ethical dilemmas. Choice D, the director of nursing, is responsible for nursing operations and may not be the appropriate resource for addressing ethical conflicts.

5. When caring for a patient with a colostomy, which nursing action is most important?

• A. Monitor the colostomy for signs of infection.
• B. Empty the colostomy bag when it is half full.
• C. Encourage the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• D. Apply a skin barrier to prevent irritation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Emptying the colostomy bag when it is half full is the most important nursing action when caring for a patient with a colostomy. This practice helps prevent leakage, reduces the risk of skin irritation, and promotes patient comfort. Monitoring for signs of infection (Choice A) is essential but not as crucial as maintaining proper colostomy care. Encouraging the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals (Choice C) can be beneficial for colostomy patients but is not as critical as ensuring timely emptying of the colostomy bag. Applying a skin barrier to prevent irritation (Choice D) is important, but ensuring timely emptying of the colostomy bag takes precedence in preventing complications associated with a colostomy.

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