Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is teaching a client who has heart failure about managing fluid intake. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Drink 2 liters of water per day.
• B. You should restrict your fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
• C. You can drink as much fluid as you want throughout the day.
• D. Limit your fluid intake to 3 liters per day.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "You should restrict your fluid intake to 1 liter per day." Clients with heart failure should limit their fluid intake to prevent fluid overload, which can worsen their condition. Choice A is incorrect because 2 liters of water per day may be excessive for someone with heart failure. Choice C is incorrect as unlimited fluid intake is not suitable for individuals with heart failure. Choice D is also incorrect as 3 liters per day may be too much fluid for a client with heart failure.

2. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory report of a client who has been taking lithium carbonate for the past 12 months. The nurse notes a lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L. Which of the following orders from the provider should the nurse expect?

• A. Withhold the next dose
• B. Increase the dosage
• C. Discontinue the medication
• D. Administer the medication

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer the medication (Choice D) since the lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L falls within the therapeutic range of 0.6-1.2 mEq/L. Withholding the next dose (Choice A) or increasing the dosage (Choice B) is not necessary as the current level is appropriate. Discontinuing the medication (Choice C) is not warranted based on the given lithium level. It is crucial to maintain therapeutic levels to ensure the medication's effectiveness without causing toxicity.

3. A nurse is assessing a client who has Guillain-Barré syndrome. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Increased urine output.
• B. Hyperactive reflexes.
• C. Hypoactive bowel sounds.
• D. Facial weakness.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Facial weakness is a common finding in clients with Guillain-Barré syndrome due to muscle weakness. While increased urine output is not typically associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, hyperactive reflexes are more indicative of conditions like hyperthyroidism or spinal cord injury. Hypoactive bowel sounds are not a classic finding in Guillain-Barré syndrome, making it an incorrect choice.

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 client is receiving continuous IV nitroprusside for severe hypertension. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Keep calcium gluconate at the bedside.
• B. Monitor blood pressure every 2 hours.
• C. Limit IV exposure to light.
• D. Attach an inline filter to the IV tubing.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to limit IV exposure to light. Nitroprusside is light-sensitive, and exposure to light can lead to its degradation, potentially reducing its efficacy in treating severe hypertension. Keeping calcium gluconate at the bedside (Choice A) is not directly related to managing nitroprusside infusion. While monitoring blood pressure every 2 hours (Choice B) is important in managing hypertension, it is not the immediate action required to ensure medication efficacy. Attaching an inline filter to the IV tubing (Choice D) may help filter particles but does not address the critical concern of light sensitivity associated with nitroprusside administration.

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