Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is teaching an older adult client who has left-sided weakness about cane use. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Hold the cane with your left hand
• B. Move the cane forward 18 inches with each step
• C. When walking, move your left foot forward first
• D. Keep your elbow straight when you hold the cane

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client with left-sided weakness using a cane is to move the left foot forward first. This technique helps improve stability and safety by ensuring weight-bearing on the stronger side while providing support with the cane. Choice A is incorrect because the cane should be held on the stronger side, which is the right side in this case. Choice B is incorrect as the recommended distance to move the cane forward with each step is about 6 inches, not 18 inches. Choice D is incorrect as it is essential to maintain a slight bend in the elbow while using the cane to absorb shock and provide flexibility.

2. Which of the following is a critical nursing action when managing a patient with a chest tube?

• A. Keep the chest tube clamped at all times.
• B. Ensure the chest tube is connected to a closed drainage system.
• C. Empty the chest tube drainage system every 2 hours.
• D. Disconnect the chest tube when the patient is ambulating.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: "Ensure the chest tube is connected to a closed drainage system." This is a critical nursing action when managing a patient with a chest tube because it is essential for proper drainage and to prevent complications such as air leaks or infections. Option A is incorrect because keeping the chest tube clamped at all times would prevent proper drainage and could lead to complications. Option C is incorrect as emptying the chest tube drainage system should be done based on assessment findings rather than a fixed time interval. Option D is incorrect because disconnecting the chest tube when the patient is ambulating can lead to complications like a pneumothorax.

3. A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day 1 following abdominal surgery. What is the nurse's priority action to prevent complications?

• A. Encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry.
• B. Assist the patient in ambulating around the unit.
• C. Reposition the patient every 2 hours.
• D. Administer pain medication as prescribed.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry. Incentive spirometry helps prevent respiratory complications, such as atelectasis, by promoting deep breathing and optimal lung expansion. Ambulating, repositioning, and administering pain medication are important interventions but do not take precedence over preventing respiratory complications in the immediate postoperative period.

4. The nurse is working on an orthopedic rehabilitation unit that requires lifting and positioning of patients. Which personal injury will the nurse most likely try to prevent?

• A. Hip
• B. Back
• C. Arm
• D. Ankle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Back. Back injuries are most common during lifting and bending tasks, especially in an orthopedic unit. When lifting or repositioning patients, nurses must prioritize proper body mechanics to prevent strain on the back. Choices A, C, and D are less likely to occur as frequently as back injuries in this scenario because of the nature of the tasks involved in orthopedic patient care.

5. What are the nursing priorities when caring for a patient with a newly placed peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)?

• A. Performing sterile dressing changes
• B. Educating the patient on PICC line care
• C. Flushing the PICC line as prescribed
• D. Inspecting the insertion site for signs of infection

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Performing sterile dressing changes. When caring for a patient with a newly placed PICC line, one of the nursing priorities is to ensure proper care of the insertion site by performing sterile dressing changes. This helps prevent infections and maintain the integrity of the line. While educating the patient on PICC line care, flushing the PICC line as prescribed, and inspecting the insertion site for signs of infection are important aspects of care, the priority immediately after insertion is to maintain the sterility of the site through proper dressing changes.

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