Nursing Elites

1. When providing endotracheal suctioning, for how long should the nurse suction the endotracheal tube of an intubated client on a ventilator at a time?

• A. Five seconds or less
• B. Ten seconds or less
• C. At least 30 seconds
• D. No longer than 60 seconds

Correct answer: Ten seconds or less

Rationale: When providing endotracheal suctioning, the nurse should suction for no longer than ten seconds at a time. Suctioning for longer than ten seconds may cause hypoxia or bronchospasm. Extended suctioning may also place the client at risk of injury to the bronchial and tracheal structures. Choices C and D suggest prolonged suctioning durations that can lead to adverse effects on the client. Choice A, suctioning for five seconds or less, may not be adequate to clear secretions effectively, making choice B the most appropriate duration for safe and efficient suctioning in this scenario.

2. A client is undergoing range of motion exercises, and the nurse moves the leg in a pattern of circumduction. Which movement is the nurse performing?

• A. Bending the leg at the knee
• B. Turning the foot inward and outward
• C. Moving the leg in a circle
• D. Moving the leg forward and up

Correct answer: Moving the leg in a circle

Rationale: Circumduction involves moving a limb in a circular pattern. In this scenario, the nurse is performing circumduction by moving the leg in a circular motion, engaging the muscles of the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius. Choice A, 'Bending the leg at the knee,' is incorrect as it describes flexion and extension movements. Choice B, 'Turning the foot inward and outward,' refers to inversion and eversion movements of the foot, not circumduction. Choice D, 'Moving the leg forward and up,' describes flexion and abduction movements, not circumduction.

3. The supervising RN asks you to bring the unit's collected lab specimens to the lab 'stat'. You should ______________.

• A. not decline this task because nurses do not handle 'stats'.
• B. run this errand as promptly as possible
• C. run this errand immediately and without delay
• D. Complete this task before the end of your shift or after your lunch.

Correct answer: C: 'run this errand immediately and without delay'

Rationale: In healthcare settings, 'stat' is commonly used to indicate that something should be done immediately and without any delay. It is a critical term used to prioritize urgent tasks. Nurses are responsible for various tasks, including handling urgent requests such as transporting lab specimens promptly. Option A is incorrect as nurses can handle urgent tasks like 'stats'. Option B is not as specific as option C, which clearly emphasizes the need for immediate action. Option D is incorrect as it suggests delaying the task until later, which goes against the urgency implied by the term 'stat'.

4. During an examination, a nurse notices a draining ulceration on a patient’s lower leg. What is the most appropriate action in this situation?

• A. Wash hands and then contact the physician.
• B. Continue to examine the ulceration and then wash hands.
• C. Wash hands, put on gloves, and continue with the examination of the ulceration.
• D. Wash hands, proceed with the rest of the physical examination, and perform the examination of the leg ulceration last.

Correct answer: C: Wash hands, put on gloves, and continue with the examination of the ulceration.

Rationale: In this scenario, the most appropriate action is to wash hands, put on gloves, and then continue examining the ulceration. Wearing gloves is crucial when there is a possibility of contact with body fluids, as in the case of a draining ulceration. Contacting the physician is not necessary at this point; the immediate focus should be on proper infection control by washing hands and wearing gloves. Changing the order of the examination is not recommended as it is important to follow a systematic approach to avoid missing any crucial assessments.

5. You see a patient lying on the floor of the bathroom. You are NOT assigned to this patient. What is the first thing that you should do?

• A. Get the nurse who is caring for the patient.
• B. Tell the nurse that the patient has had another seizure.
• C. Observe the patient for any injuries and call out for help.
• D. Nothing. This patient is not one of your assignments.

Correct answer: Observe the patient for any injuries and call out for help.

Rationale: The correct course of action in this situation is to observe the patient for any injuries and call out for help. It is crucial to act immediately in an emergency, regardless of whether the patient is under your care. Checking for injuries and seeking assistance can help ensure the patient receives prompt and appropriate care. Choosing to inform the nurse of a seizure without evidence or taking no action because the patient is not your assignment are not optimal responses. In a healthcare setting, patient safety and well-being should always be the top priority.

Similar Questions