Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is reviewing the lab results of a client with liver disease. Which finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Elevated bilirubin levels
• B. Low albumin levels
• C. Elevated ammonia levels
• D. Low hemoglobin levels

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevated ammonia levels in a client with liver disease can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, requiring immediate intervention. Ammonia is a neurotoxin that can cause cognitive impairment and altered mental status. Elevated bilirubin levels (Choice A) are common in liver disease but do not require immediate intervention. Low albumin levels (Choice B) and low hemoglobin levels (Choice D) are also common in liver disease but do not pose an immediate threat compared to elevated ammonia levels.

2. When teaching a patient about self-administration of insulin, what is the most important instruction to provide?

• A. Rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage.
• B. Inject insulin at a 90-degree angle for proper absorption.
• C. Store insulin in the refrigerator to maintain potency.
• D. Teach the patient to administer insulin at the same time each day.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important instruction to provide when teaching a patient about self-administration of insulin is to rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage. Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy (tissue damage) and ensures proper insulin absorption. Option B is incorrect because the angle of insulin injection varies depending on the patient's body composition. Injecting at a 90-degree angle is not always necessary. Option C is not the most crucial instruction; while storing insulin in the refrigerator is important, it is not the priority when teaching self-administration. Option D is also important for maintaining consistency but is not as critical as rotating injection sites to prevent tissue damage.

3. What are the important considerations when administering blood products to a patient?

• A. Ensuring proper documentation of the transfusion
• B. Verifying the patient's identity before administration
• C. Monitoring for allergic reactions or transfusion reactions
• D. Monitoring the patient's vital signs during transfusion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying the patient's identity before administration is a critical step to ensure that the correct blood product is given to the right patient, thereby preventing transfusion errors. While ensuring proper documentation of the transfusion (choice A) is important for record-keeping, verifying patient identity (choice B) directly addresses the risk of administering blood to the wrong patient. Monitoring for allergic reactions or transfusion reactions (choice C) and monitoring the patient's vital signs during transfusion (choice D) are also essential considerations during blood product administration, but verifying patient identity takes precedence to prevent potentially life-threatening errors.

4. A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report on a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?

• A. A client who has urolithiasis and reports severe ankle pain extending toward the abdomen
• B. A client who has acute cholecystitis and reports abdominal pain radiating to the right shoulder
• C. A client who has had a total knee arthroplasty, is 1 day postoperative, and reports a pain level of 8 on a 0 to 10 pain scale
• D. A client who has a fractured femur and reports sudden sharp chest pain

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a client with a fractured femur and sudden chest pain may be experiencing a pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate assessment. Choice A is incorrect because although severe pain is present, it is more indicative of musculoskeletal issues related to urolithiasis rather than a life-threatening condition. Choice B, related to acute cholecystitis, is less urgent than choice D as the pain radiating to the right shoulder is a common symptom but does not indicate an immediate life-threatening situation. Choice C, regarding a client post-total knee arthroplasty with a pain level of 8, is important but not as urgent as a potential pulmonary embolism in choice D.

5. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional to take when a medication error occurs?

• A. Document the error in the patient's medical record.
• B. Report the error to the healthcare provider immediately.
• C. Apologize to the patient and explain what happened.
• D. Continue administering the medication and monitor the patient closely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a medication error occurs, the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional is to report the error to the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial for ensuring prompt corrective action to mitigate any potential harm to the patient. Documenting the error is important but should come after reporting it to the relevant authorities. Apologizing to the patient is important for maintaining trust and communication but should not take precedence over reporting and addressing the error. Continuing to administer the medication without addressing the error is unsafe and goes against patient safety protocols.

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