Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer packed red blood cells (PRBCs) to a client. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take?

• A. Infuse the PRBCs over 8 hours.
• B. Verify the client's blood type and Rh factor.
• C. Administer the PRBCs through a 24-gauge catheter.
• D. Administer the PRBCs with lactated Ringer's solution.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying the client's blood type and Rh factor is crucial before administering blood products to ensure compatibility and prevent adverse reactions. Option A is incorrect because PRBCs are typically infused over a specific time frame based on hospital policy and client condition, not necessarily over 8 hours. Option C is incorrect as PRBCs are usually administered through a larger gauge catheter to prevent hemolysis. Option D is incorrect because PRBCs are typically administered with normal saline and not lactated Ringer's solution.

2. A client has a chest tube. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

• A. Clamp the chest tube for 15 minutes every 2 hours.
• B. Maintain the drainage system below the client's chest.
• C. Strip the chest tube every 2 hours.
• D. Keep the collection device at the level of the client's chest.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Maintaining the chest tube drainage system below the client's chest level is crucial to ensure proper drainage and prevent complications. Clamping the chest tube can lead to a tension pneumothorax, stripping the chest tube is an outdated practice that can cause damage to the tissues, and keeping the collection device at the level of the client's chest can impede proper drainage and lead to fluid accumulation.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous heparin infusion. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?

• A. Hemoglobin
• B. aPTT
• C. INR
• D. Platelet count

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: aPTT. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is monitored to assess the therapeutic effect of heparin and to adjust the infusion rate if needed. Monitoring hemoglobin levels (choice A) is important for assessing anemia but is not specific to heparin therapy. INR (choice C) is used to monitor the effects of warfarin, not heparin. Platelet count (choice D) is important to monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, but aPTT is the primary laboratory value used to monitor heparin therapy.

4. What is the best intervention for a patient with constipation?

• A. Administer a stool softener
• B. Encourage fluid intake
• C. Provide a high-fiber diet
• D. Administer a laxative

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging fluid intake is the best intervention for a patient with constipation. Fluids help soften stools, making them easier to pass. While stool softeners and laxatives can also help with constipation, they are more of a short-term solution and may not address the root cause. A high-fiber diet is beneficial for preventing constipation in the long run, but in the immediate situation of constipation, fluid intake is key.

5. A nurse is providing care for a client who is in the advanced stage of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Which of the following referrals is the nurse's priority?

• A. Psychologist
• B. Social worker
• C. Occupational therapist
• D. Speech-language pathologist

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In the advanced stage of ALS, clients often experience swallowing difficulties, known as dysphagia. A speech-language pathologist specializes in assessing and managing these swallowing problems, making them the nurse's priority referral in this case. A psychologist primarily focuses on mental health and emotional well-being, which may not be the most critical issue at this stage. Social workers assist with social support and resources, while occupational therapists help with activities of daily living and mobility, which are important but not the priority when dysphagia is a concern.

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