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 newly licensed nurse tells a charge nurse that he is unsure about accepting telephone medication prescriptions. Which of the following providers should the charge nurse identify as having the legal ability to give telephone medication prescriptions?

• A. Anesthesiologists
• B. Physician assistants
• C. Hospital pharmacists
• D. Nurse practitioners

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists are licensed providers who have the legal authority to give telephone medication prescriptions. Physician assistants (choice B), hospital pharmacists (choice C), and nurse practitioners (choice D) do not typically have the legal ability to provide medication prescriptions over the phone. In this scenario, the charge nurse should inform the newly licensed nurse that anesthesiologists are one of the providers who can legally give telephone medication prescriptions.

3. The emergency department has been notified of a potential bioterrorism attack. Which action by the nurse is priority?

• A. Prepare for potential posttraumatic stress related to this bioterrorism attack.
• B. Transport patients quickly and efficiently through the elevators.
• C. Monitor for specific symptoms related to the bioterrorism attack.
• D. Manage all patients using standard precautions.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During a potential bioterrorism attack, the priority for the nurse is to manage all patients using standard precautions. This approach ensures the safety of both patients and healthcare providers by preventing the spread of potential bioterrorism-related illnesses. Option A is incorrect because managing patient care and safety through standard precautions takes precedence. Option B is incorrect as patient transport should also be done while adhering to infection control measures. Option C is incorrect as monitoring for specific symptoms is important but not the priority when all patients need to be managed with standard precautions.

4. When teaching a patient about self-administration of insulin, what is the most important instruction to provide?

• A. Rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage.
• B. Inject insulin at a 90-degree angle for proper absorption.
• C. Store insulin in the refrigerator to maintain potency.
• D. Teach the patient to administer insulin at the same time each day.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important instruction to provide when teaching a patient about self-administration of insulin is to rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage. Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy (tissue damage) and ensures proper insulin absorption. Option B is incorrect because the angle of insulin injection varies depending on the patient's body composition. Injecting at a 90-degree angle is not always necessary. Option C is not the most crucial instruction; while storing insulin in the refrigerator is important, it is not the priority when teaching self-administration. Option D is also important for maintaining consistency but is not as critical as rotating injection sites to prevent tissue damage.

5. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that requires a peak and trough level. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Administer the medication before the peak level is obtained.
• B. Withhold the medication until the trough level is obtained.
• C. Administer the medication based on the previous trough level.
• D. Ensure that the medication is administered within 2 hours of the peak level.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse's priority action should be to withhold the medication until the trough level is obtained. This is crucial to ensure accurate dosing based on the patient's levels. Administering the medication before the peak level is obtained (choice A) can lead to incorrect dosing. Administering the medication based on the previous trough level (choice C) may not reflect the current levels accurately. Ensuring that the medication is administered within 2 hours of the peak level (choice D) is not necessary for obtaining accurate peak and trough levels.

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