Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare provider is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which of the following lab results should be reviewed before administering the medication?

• A. Potassium level
• B. Calcium level
• C. Hemoglobin level
• D. White blood cell count

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Potassium level. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin can potentiate the effects of low potassium levels, leading to life-threatening arrhythmias. Therefore, it is essential to review the patient's potassium level before administering digoxin. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because calcium level, hemoglobin level, and white blood cell count are not directly related to the risk of digoxin toxicity.

2. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of heparin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Report any urine output greater than 30 mL/hr.
• B. Bruising on the arms and legs.
• C. Positive Trousseau's sign.
• D. Urine output of 60 mL/hr.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Bruising on the arms and legs is a sign of bleeding, which is a serious complication of heparin therapy and should be reported immediately to the provider. Option A is incorrect as urine output greater than 30 mL/hr is a normal finding. Option C, positive Trousseau's sign, is associated with hypocalcemia, not heparin therapy. Option D, urine output of 60 mL/hr, is within the normal range and does not indicate a complication of heparin therapy.

3. A healthcare provider prescribes a higher-than-usual dose of medication. What is the nurse's first action?

• A. Administer the medication and monitor closely.
• B. Hold the medication and consult the pharmacist.
• C. Ask another nurse to verify the dose.
• D. Call the provider for clarification.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to call the provider for clarification. When faced with a higher-than-usual dose of medication, the nurse's first action should be to contact the prescribing healthcare provider to confirm the dosage. Administering the medication without clarifying the dose with the provider can pose serious risks to the patient's safety. Holding the medication and consulting the pharmacist may be appropriate after contacting the provider for clarification. Asking another nurse to verify the dose is not the most appropriate action when dealing with an unusual prescription; direct communication with the provider is essential in such situations.

4. A patient with a urinary tract infection (UTI) requires treatment. What is the most appropriate intervention?

• A. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake.
• B. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
• C. Recommend the patient take over-the-counter pain relievers.
• D. Encourage the patient to limit physical activity.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer antibiotics as prescribed. Antibiotics are the primary treatment for urinary tract infections as they help eliminate the bacteria causing the infection. Encouraging the patient to increase fluid intake (Choice A) is a supportive measure to help flush out the bacteria but doesn't directly treat the infection. Over-the-counter pain relievers (Choice C) may help with discomfort but do not address the underlying infection. Limiting physical activity (Choice D) may be recommended for some conditions but is not the primary intervention for treating a UTI.

5. A nurse observes a colleague ignoring proper hand hygiene protocols. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Speak to the colleague directly.
• B. Ignore the situation, as it doesn't involve direct patient care.
• C. Report the colleague to the nursing manager.
• D. File an incident report immediately.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take in this situation is to file an incident report immediately. By doing so, the nurse ensures that the unsafe practice is documented for further investigation and corrective action. Speaking to the colleague directly may not address the root cause of the issue and could lead to potential conflicts. Ignoring the situation is not an appropriate response as it compromises patient safety. Reporting the colleague to the nursing manager should be done after filing an incident report to ensure that appropriate actions are taken to prevent future occurrences of non-compliance with hand hygiene protocols.

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