Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection to a client. Which action should the nurse take to reduce the client's risk of injury?

• A. Use a 1-inch needle
• B. Select a large muscle for the injection
• C. Aspirate for blood return before injecting
• D. Massage the injection site

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to aspirate for blood return before injecting. This action helps ensure that the needle is not in a blood vessel, reducing the risk of injury. Using a 1-inch needle (Choice A) is a standard length for intramuscular injections but does not directly reduce the risk of injury. Selecting a large muscle for the injection (Choice B) is important for proper medication absorption but does not directly reduce the risk of injury. Massaging the injection site (Choice D) can help with medication absorption but does not reduce the risk of injury.

2. A 2-year-old boy with short bowel syndrome has progressed to receiving enteral feedings only. Today his stools are occurring more frequently and have a more liquid consistency. His temperature is 102.2°F and he has vomited twice in the past four hours. Which assessment finding indicates that the child is becoming dehydrated?

• A. Occult blood in the stool
• B. Abdominal distention
• C. Elevated urine specific gravity
• D. Hyperactive bowel sounds

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevated urine specific gravity is a sign of dehydration in children. In the scenario provided, the child is experiencing increased stool frequency, liquid consistency, fever, and vomiting, indicating fluid loss and potential dehydration. Occult blood in the stool may suggest gastrointestinal bleeding but is not a direct indicator of dehydration. Abdominal distention can be seen in various conditions and is not specific to dehydration. Hyperactive bowel sounds are more commonly associated with increased bowel motility, not necessarily dehydration.

3. A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?

• A. Change the ostomy appliance daily
• B. Empty the ostomy pouch when it is one-third full
• C. Rinse the ostomy pouch with warm water
• D. Apply a skin barrier to the peristomal skin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct instruction the nurse should include in the client's teaching plan is to empty the ostomy pouch when it is one-third full. This practice helps prevent leakage and skin irritation by maintaining an appropriate pouching system. Changing the ostomy appliance daily (Choice A) is not necessary unless leakage or other issues occur. Rinsing the ostomy pouch with warm water (Choice C) is not a recommended practice as it may cause damage to the pouch. Applying a skin barrier to the peristomal skin (Choice D) is important but not the most crucial instruction in this scenario.

4. A client with a history of congestive heart failure (CHF) is admitted with fluid volume overload. Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider?

• A. Weight gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours
• B. Presence of a cough
• C. Edema in the lower extremities
• D. Shortness of breath

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'D - Shortness of breath.' In a client with congestive heart failure experiencing fluid volume overload, shortness of breath is a critical finding that indicates possible pulmonary congestion and worsening heart failure. This symptom requires immediate attention to prevent further complications. Choices A, B, and C are common findings in clients with CHF but are not as urgent as shortness of breath. Weight gain may indicate fluid retention, cough can be due to pulmonary congestion, and edema in lower extremities is a common manifestation of CHF, but none of these findings are as concerning as shortness of breath in this scenario.

5. A client with a small bowel obstruction is experiencing frequent vomiting. Which instructions are most important for the nurse to provide to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who is completing morning care for this client?

• A. Maintain a quiet environment
• B. Ensure the linens are clean and dry
• C. Place an air deodorizer in the room
• D. Measure all emesis accurately

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, 'Measure all emesis accurately.' When a client with a small bowel obstruction is experiencing frequent vomiting, measuring emesis accurately is crucial for monitoring fluid balance and preventing dehydration. Choice A, 'Maintain a quiet environment,' while important for patient comfort, is not as critical as accurately measuring emesis. Choices B and C, 'Ensure the linens are clean and dry' and 'Place an air deodorizer in the room,' focus on environmental factors that, although helpful, are not as essential as monitoring the client's fluid balance in this situation.

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