Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to administer a high dose of morphine to a patient with terminal cancer. What is the nurse's primary consideration before administration?

• A. Ensure the family is aware of the dosage to be administered.
• B. Monitor the patient for respiratory depression.
• C. Administer the morphine in divided doses.
• D. Delay administration until the next assessment.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor the patient for respiratory depression. When administering a high dose of morphine, the nurse's primary consideration should be to monitor the patient for respiratory depression, as morphine can slow down breathing, especially in higher doses. Option A is incorrect because the primary focus should be on the patient's well-being and safety rather than family awareness at this point. Option C is not the best approach as the immediate concern is monitoring the patient closely for any adverse effects. Option D is not advisable as delaying administration without a valid reason can compromise pain management in a terminal cancer patient.

2. A community health nurse is providing an educational session on childhood poisoning at a local school. What should the nurse advise as the first action if poisoning occurs?

• A. Call the poison control center
• B. Bring the child to the emergency department (ED)
• C. Induce vomiting
• D. Call an ambulance

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the event of poisoning, the recommended first action is to call the poison control center. Poison control specialists can provide immediate guidance on how to manage the situation effectively. Bringing the child to the emergency department (Choice B) may be necessary depending on the severity of the poisoning, but contacting poison control first is crucial for appropriate and timely intervention. Inducing vomiting (Choice C) is not advised in all cases of poisoning and should only be done under the guidance of healthcare professionals. Calling an ambulance (Choice D) may be necessary in some severe cases, but the initial step should be to contact poison control for expert advice.

3. Which action by the nurse will help reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a postoperative patient?

• A. Encourage early ambulation and leg exercises.
• B. Apply compression stockings to the patient's legs.
• C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed.
• D. Elevate the patient's legs to promote circulation.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage early ambulation and leg exercises. By promoting early ambulation and leg exercises, blood flow is enhanced, reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postoperative patients. Choice B, applying compression stockings, helps prevent VTE but is not as effective as early ambulation and exercises. Choice C, administering anticoagulants, is important in VTE prevention but does not directly address improving circulation through physical activity. Choice D, elevating the patient's legs, may be beneficial for circulation in specific cases but is not as effective in preventing VTE as early ambulation and leg exercises.

4. A case manager at an assisted living facility is reviewing the use of complementary health practices by several clients. Which of the following actions should the case manager plan to take?

• A. Plan to report a client's use of echinacea to the provider as a contraindication to aspirin therapy
• B. Plan to schedule time for a new client to continue tai chi practice as a stress reduction technique
• C. Tell a client that yoga has not been proven effective to reduce manifestations of menopause
• D. Tell a client who drinks cranberry juice daily that it can help treat existing urinary tract infections

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Tai chi is a recognized complementary health practice for stress reduction. Scheduling time for a new client to continue tai chi practice aligns with supporting holistic care. Choice A is incorrect because reporting a client's use of echinacea as a contraindication to aspirin therapy is not necessary without further context or evidence of interactions. Choice C is wrong because yoga can indeed be effective in reducing manifestations of menopause. Choice D is also incorrect because while cranberry juice is known to help prevent urinary tract infections, it is not typically used to treat existing infections.

5. What are the clinical manifestations of hypovolemic shock, and how should a nurse respond?

• A. Hypertension, bradycardia, and oliguria
• B. Bradycardia, hypertension, and peripheral edema
• C. Tachypnea, cool skin, and confusion
• D. Tachycardia, hypotension, and decreased urine output

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Tachycardia, hypotension, and decreased urine output are classic clinical manifestations of hypovolemic shock. In hypovolemic shock, the body tries to compensate for low blood volume by increasing the heart rate (tachycardia) to maintain cardiac output, leading to hypotension and decreased urine output. Prompt fluid replacement is necessary to restore intravascular volume. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not represent the typical manifestations of hypovolemic shock.

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