Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has a new prescription for codeine for cough suppression. What is the priority instruction?

• A. Avoid driving
• B. Drink plenty of fluids
• C. Move slowly when standing up
• D. Take with food

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to 'Move slowly when standing up.' Codeine can cause orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure when changing positions, leading to dizziness or fainting. By advising the client to move slowly when standing up, the nurse helps prevent falls or injuries due to sudden drops in blood pressure. Choices A, B, and D are important instructions as well but not the priority when considering the risk of orthostatic hypotension associated with codeine.

2. Which nursing action is essential when administering a blood transfusion?

• A. Ensure the blood is administered within 4 hours.
• B. Check the patient's vital signs every 30 minutes during the transfusion.
• C. Administer the transfusion at a slow rate for the first 15 minutes.
• D. Document the transfusion in the patient's medical record immediately after administration.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer the transfusion at a slow rate for the first 15 minutes. This practice is crucial as it helps in detecting any adverse reactions early on. Checking the patient's vital signs every 30 minutes (choice B) is important but not as essential as ensuring a slow rate at the beginning. Administering blood within 4 hours (choice A) is a standard practice but not directly related to the initial administration. Documenting the transfusion immediately (choice D) is necessary but does not directly impact the safety of the initial administration.

3. Which intervention is most effective in managing a patient with chronic pain?

• A. Administer opioid medications as prescribed.
• B. Teach the patient relaxation techniques.
• C. Encourage the patient to perform range of motion exercises.
• D. Recommend complete bed rest to minimize pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective intervention in managing a patient with chronic pain is teaching the patient relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, decrease muscle tension, and improve pain management in patients with chronic pain. Administering opioids as prescribed may have risks of dependence and side effects, making it less favorable as a first-line intervention. Encouraging range of motion exercises can be beneficial, but relaxation techniques directly target stress reduction, a common exacerbating factor in chronic pain. Recommending complete bed rest is generally discouraged in chronic pain management as it can lead to deconditioning and worsen pain over time.

4. A nurse delegates a position change to a nursing assistive personnel. The nurse instructs the assistive personnel (AP) to place the patient in the lateral position. Which finding by the nurse indicates a correct outcome?

• A. Patient is lying semiprone.
• B. Patient is lying on side.
• C. Patient is lying on abdomen.
• D. Patient is lying on back.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the lateral position means lying on the side with body weight on the dependent hip and shoulder. Choice A is incorrect as 'semiprone' means lying on the abdomen with one leg flexed. Choice C is incorrect as 'prone' means lying face down. Choice D is incorrect as 'supine' means lying on the back.

5. 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.

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