Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a client. What should the nurse assess before administration?

• A. Assess for pain relief.
• B. Monitor for respiratory depression.
• C. Assess the infusion site for complications.
• D. Increase the dosage if the client reports more pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Correct answer: Before administering morphine sulfate, the nurse should monitor for respiratory depression as it is a significant side effect of this medication. Assessing for pain relief (Choice A) is important but not a pre-administration assessment. Checking the infusion site for complications (Choice C) is relevant for IV medications, not specifically for morphine sulfate. Increasing the dosage if the client reports more pain (Choice D) is not appropriate without further assessment and medical orders.

2. When administering IV fluids to a dehydrated patient, what is the nurse's priority assessment?

• A. Monitor the patient's electrolyte levels.
• B. Assess the patient's blood pressure regularly.
• C. Monitor the patient's heart rate every 4 hours.
• D. Check the patient's urine output hourly.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient's blood pressure regularly. Monitoring blood pressure is crucial when administering IV fluids to a dehydrated patient as it helps in evaluating the patient's fluid status. Changes in blood pressure can indicate the effectiveness of the fluid therapy, the patient's response to treatment, and the possibility of complications such as fluid overload or hypovolemia. Monitoring electrolyte levels (Choice A) is essential but not the priority when assessing a dehydrated patient receiving IV fluids. Heart rate (Choice C) should be monitored more frequently than every 4 hours in such a situation. Checking urine output (Choice D) is important but not as critical as assessing blood pressure in this scenario.

3. A nurse caring for a client under airborne precautions notes that the client is scheduled for a nuclear scan. What is the appropriate action for the nurse to take?

• A. Planning to have the nuclear scan performed at the bedside
• B. Calling the nuclear medicine department and telling the technician that the test will have to be delayed until airborne precautions have been discontinued
• C. Asking the technicians in the nuclear scan department to wear masks
• D. Placing a surgical mask on the client for transport and for contact with other individuals

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse is to place a surgical mask on the client for transport and for contact with other individuals when a patient under airborne precautions requires movement. This helps prevent the spread of infectious agents. Planning to have the nuclear scan at the bedside (Choice A) may not be feasible or appropriate. Calling the nuclear medicine department to delay the test (Choice B) may inconvenience the client and disrupt the scheduled procedure. Asking technicians in the nuclear scan department to wear masks (Choice C) does not provide adequate protection for others who may come into contact with the client outside the department.

4. A health care provider asks the nurse who is caring for a client with a new colostomy to ask the hospital's stoma nurse to visit the client. What is the nurse's responsibility?

• A. Contact the stoma nurse immediately.
• B. Educate the client on stoma care.
• C. Assess the stoma site for complications.
• D. Arrange for follow-up visits with the stoma nurse.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Educate the client on stoma care.' The nurse's primary responsibility in this scenario is to provide education to the client on stoma care. This empowers the client to take care of their colostomy effectively. While it is important to involve the stoma nurse for specialized care, the immediate action required from the nurse is client education. Choice A is incorrect as the immediate action is not to contact the stoma nurse but to educate the client first. Choice C is not the nurse's initial responsibility unless there are obvious complications. Choice D is premature as arranging follow-up visits should come after the client has been educated and initial care has been provided.

5. The client has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. The family asks the nurse to ignore the DNR if the client codes. What is the nurse's responsibility?

• A. Follow the family's wishes
• B. Explain that the DNR must be honored
• C. Ignore the DNR and proceed with CPR
• D. Perform CPR if the client codes

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Explain that the DNR must be honored.' The nurse's responsibility is to follow the DNR order, as it is a legal and ethical obligation. Choice A is incorrect because following the family's wishes would go against the established DNR order. Choice C is incorrect as ignoring the DNR order is not appropriate. Choice D is also incorrect as performing CPR would be contrary to the client's expressed wishes in the DNR order.

Similar Questions