Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to assess first?

• A. A client who has sinus arrhythmia and is receiving cardiac monitoring.
• B. A client who has diabetes mellitus and a hemoglobin A1C of 6.8%.
• C. A client who has epidural analgesia and weakness in the lower extremities.
• D. A client who has a hip fracture and a new onset of tachypnea.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. New onset of tachypnea indicates a potential respiratory complication that requires immediate attention. Assessing the client with a hip fracture and tachypnea first is crucial to address the respiratory issue and prevent further deterioration. Choices A, B, and C do not present immediate life-threatening complications that require urgent assessment compared to a new onset of tachypnea.

2. A healthcare professional is collecting data from a client who has hypokalemia. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Muscle stiffness
• B. Bradycardia
• C. Hyperreflexia
• D. Muscle weakness

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Muscle weakness.' Hypokalemia is characterized by low potassium levels, which can lead to muscle weakness due to impaired muscle function. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect findings associated with other medical conditions and not typically expected in hypokalemia. Muscle stiffness is more commonly associated with conditions like tetany or muscle cramps, bradycardia is more commonly associated with issues like heart block or hypothyroidism, and hyperreflexia is more commonly seen in conditions like hyperthyroidism or spinal cord injuries.

3. A nurse is collecting data from a client who is experiencing a situational crisis following the loss of a job. The client states, 'I don't think I can go through this again.' Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

• A. Determine if the client is experiencing psychotic thinking
• B. Determine the client's support system
• C. Ask how the client copes with stress
• D. Assess the client's vital signs

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The priority is to determine if the client is experiencing psychotic thinking or suicidal ideation. In this situation, the nurse needs to assess if the client is having distorted thoughts or losing touch with reality, which could pose an immediate risk to the client's safety. While determining the client's support system, asking how the client copes with stress, and assessing vital signs are important aspects of care, they are not the priority when there is a concern about potential psychotic thinking or suicidal ideation.

4. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about wound care for a client who has a wound requiring irrigation. What is an important instruction?

• A. Wear sterile gloves when applying a new dressing
• B. Cleanse the wound from the center outwards
• C. Keep the wound dry between dressing changes
• D. Apply an antimicrobial ointment to the wound

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to cleanse the wound from the center outwards. This technique helps reduce the risk of contamination by pushing debris away from the wound. Option A, wearing sterile gloves, is important for infection control but not specifically related to wound irrigation. Option C, keeping the wound dry, is not suitable for wound irrigation, which often involves using solutions to clean the wound. Option D, applying an antimicrobial ointment, is not typically done during wound irrigation as the focus is on cleansing the wound.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Monitor the client's temperature every 4 hours
• B. Monitor blood glucose levels every 6 hours
• C. Administer insulin as prescribed
• D. Monitor daily fluid intake

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Monitoring blood glucose levels is crucial in clients receiving TPN because the solution has a high glucose content. This monitoring helps prevent hyperglycemia and allows for timely adjustments in the TPN formulation if needed. Monitoring the client's temperature (Choice A) is not directly related to TPN administration. Administering insulin (Choice C) should be based on blood glucose levels and the healthcare provider's orders; it is not a standard intervention for all clients on TPN. Monitoring daily fluid intake (Choice D) is important for overall fluid balance but is not as critical as monitoring blood glucose levels specifically for clients on TPN.

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