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. What should be done to ensure safety during the transfer of a patient with limited mobility?

• A. Have the patient use a gait belt for support.
• B. Encourage the patient to hold onto a walker.
• C. Lock the wheels on the bed and wheelchair.
• D. Ask the patient to transfer independently.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to lock the wheels on the bed and wheelchair. This action helps prevent accidents by stabilizing the equipment during the transfer process. Having the patient use a gait belt for support (choice A) can be helpful but is not directly related to equipment safety. Encouraging the patient to hold onto a walker (choice B) is beneficial for ambulation but does not address the safety of equipment. Asking the patient to transfer independently (choice D) can pose risks, especially for a patient with limited mobility, and may not ensure safety during the transfer.

3. The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients. A fire has been reported in an adjacent wing of the hospital. What should the nurse do to ensure the patients' safety?

• A. Wait until the fire department arrives before taking action.
• B. Close all doors.
• C. Identify evacuation routes.
• D. Move bedridden patients in their beds.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: During a fire emergency, it is crucial to close all doors to contain smoke and fire, helping to protect the patients. This action can prevent the spread of fire and smoke to the area where patients are located. Identifying evacuation routes is also important for a timely and orderly evacuation if necessary. Waiting for the fire department to arrive before taking action (Choice A) can waste valuable time and put patients at risk. Moving bedridden patients in their beds (Choice D) can be dangerous during a fire and should be avoided as it can expose patients and staff to more risks.

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. A health care provider asks the nurse to administer a medication with a dosage significantly higher than usual. What is the nurse's first action?

• A. Administer the medication as ordered.
• B. Question the provider and verify the dose.
• C. Administer half the dosage as a precaution.
• D. Refuse to administer the medication without clarification.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a health care provider orders a medication with a dosage significantly higher than usual, the nurse's initial action should be to question the provider and verify the dose. This is crucial to ensure patient safety and prevent medication errors. Administering the medication as ordered (Choice A) without clarification could potentially harm the patient if there was an error in the prescription. Administering half the dosage as a precaution (Choice C) is not a safe practice as it deviates from the prescribed order. Refusing to administer the medication without clarification (Choice D) is important, but the first step should be to seek clarification from the provider to prevent any unnecessary delays in patient care.

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