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. What is the most important aspect of colostomy care to teach the client?

• A. Change the colostomy bag daily
• B. Irrigate the colostomy daily
• C. Avoid high-fiber foods
• D. Assess the stoma for color and swelling

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most crucial aspect of colostomy care to teach the client is to assess the stoma for color and swelling. This is essential to detect early signs of complications such as ischemia or infection. Changing the colostomy bag daily is important but not as critical as assessing the stoma for complications. Irrigating the colostomy daily is not a standard recommendation and should be performed based on healthcare provider's instructions. While avoiding high-fiber foods may be beneficial for some individuals with a colostomy, it is not the most important aspect of care compared to monitoring the stoma for complications.

3. The nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy who is on mechanical ventilation. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Suction the tracheostomy as needed
• B. Ensure the tracheostomy ties are secure
• C. Provide humidified oxygen
• D. Clean any exudate around the tracheostomy site

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a client with a tracheostomy on mechanical ventilation is to suction the tracheostomy as needed. Suctioning is essential to maintain a clear airway and prevent respiratory distress. While ensuring tracheostomy ties are secure (choice B) is important, it is not as urgent as airway maintenance. Providing humidified oxygen (choice C) is beneficial but does not address the immediate need for airway clearance. Cleaning exudate around the tracheostomy site (choice D) is important for hygiene but takes precedence over ensuring airway patency through suctioning.

4. The client with hypertension is being taught about lifestyle modifications. What topic is most important?

• A. Stress management
• B. Salt intake reduction
• C. Regular physical activity
• D. Weight loss

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Reducing salt intake is crucial for managing hypertension. Excessive salt consumption can lead to fluid retention, increasing blood pressure. While stress management, regular physical activity, and weight loss are beneficial for overall health, reducing salt intake is the most important lifestyle modification for controlling hypertension. Stress management may help reduce overall stress levels but does not directly impact blood pressure as salt intake does. Regular physical activity and weight loss can also benefit blood pressure control, but the immediate impact of reducing salt intake is more significant.

5. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic liver disease. Which lab value is most concerning?

• A. Elevated AST and ALT
• B. Decreased albumin level
• C. Elevated bilirubin level
• D. Prolonged PT/INR

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, prolonged PT/INR. In a client with chronic liver disease, a prolonged PT/INR is the most concerning lab value. This indicates impaired liver function, leading to a higher risk of bleeding. Elevated AST and ALT (choice A) are indicators of liver damage but do not directly assess the risk of bleeding. Decreased albumin level (choice B) reflects impaired liver function but is not as directly related to bleeding risk as a prolonged PT/INR. Elevated bilirubin level (choice C) is a sign of liver dysfunction, specifically related to bile metabolism, and while important, it is not as directly associated with bleeding risk as a prolonged PT/INR in the context of chronic liver disease.

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