Nursing Elites

1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is struggling to breathe. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Increase the oxygen flow rate according to the prescription
• B. Encourage the client to perform pursed-lip breathing
• C. Prepare for emergency intubation
• D. Assess the client's oxygen saturation and breath sounds

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct first action for a nurse when a client with COPD is struggling to breathe is to assess the client's oxygen saturation and breath sounds. This initial assessment is crucial in determining the severity of the client's condition and the appropriate intervention. Increasing the oxygen flow rate without proper assessment can potentially be harmful, as COPD clients have a risk of retaining carbon dioxide. Encouraging pursed-lip breathing can be beneficial but should come after assessing the client's current status. Emergency intubation is a drastic measure and should only be considered after a comprehensive assessment indicates the need for it.

2. A client is admitted with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF). Which intervention is most important to include in the plan of care?

• A. Restrict fluid intake
• B. Provide a high-sodium diet
• C. Encourage vigorous exercise
• D. Administer bronchodilators as prescribed

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Restrict fluid intake. Fluid restriction is crucial in the management of congestive heart failure (CHF) as it helps prevent fluid overload, which can exacerbate CHF symptoms. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Providing a high-sodium diet would worsen fluid retention and increase the workload of the heart. Encouraging vigorous exercise can strain the heart further in CHF patients. Administering bronchodilators is not the priority intervention for CHF.

3. A client is receiving dexamethasone (Decadron). What symptoms should the nurse recognize as Cushingoid side effects?

• A. Moon face, slow wound healing, muscle wasting, sodium and water retention
• B. Tachycardia, hypertension, weight loss, heat intolerance, nervousness, restlessness, tremor
• C. Bradycardia, weight gain, cold intolerance, myxedema facies and periorbital edema
• D. Hyperpigmentation, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, dehydration, hypotension

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Cushingoid side effects are characteristic of excess corticosteroid use, such as dexamethasone. These include moon face (rounding of the face), slow wound healing, muscle wasting, and sodium and water retention. Options B, C, and D describe symptoms that are not typically associated with Cushingoid side effects. Tachycardia, hypertension, weight loss, heat intolerance, nervousness, restlessness, tremor (Option B) are not typical of Cushingoid effects, while bradycardia, weight gain, cold intolerance, myxedema facies, and periorbital edema (Option C) are more indicative of hypothyroidism. Hyperpigmentation, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, dehydration, and hypotension (Option D) are not classical features of Cushingoid side effects.

4. The client is 4 hours post-operative from a cesarean section and complains of gas pain and bloating. What non-pharmacological intervention can the nurse provide?

• A. Encourage the client to ambulate
• B. Apply a heating pad
• C. Provide a carbonated beverage
• D. Teach relaxation techniques

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the client to ambulate. Early ambulation helps alleviate gas pain and bloating by promoting gastrointestinal motility and reducing the accumulation of gas in the abdomen. Applying a heating pad may provide comfort for some types of pain but is not specifically effective for gas pain. Providing a carbonated beverage can actually worsen gas pain due to the introduction of more gas into the digestive system. Teaching relaxation techniques may be beneficial for overall comfort but may not directly address the gas pain and bloating experienced post-cesarean section.

5. The nurse is assessing a client with cirrhosis who has developed ascites. What is the most important intervention to include in the care plan?

• A. Restrict sodium intake
• B. Encourage high-protein meals
• C. Increase fluid intake
• D. Administer diuretics as prescribed

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer diuretics as prescribed. Diuretics are often prescribed to help manage fluid accumulation in ascites, which is a common complication of cirrhosis. Restricting sodium intake (Choice A) is essential in managing ascites, but administering diuretics takes precedence in the care plan. Encouraging high-protein meals (Choice B) and increasing fluid intake (Choice C) are not the primary interventions for managing ascites in cirrhosis.

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