Nursing Elites

1. A nurse witnesses a colleague administering the wrong IV solution to a client. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Complete an incident report.
• B. Ask the colleague if they intend to report the error.
• C. Call the healthcare provider to notify them of the error.
• D. Notify the supervisor about the situation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first step for the nurse to take in this situation is to ask the colleague if they intend to report the error. It is important to address the error promptly and directly with the colleague involved to ensure that the appropriate actions are taken to correct the mistake and prevent harm to the client. Completing an incident report, calling the healthcare provider, or notifying the supervisor can be done after discussing the error with the colleague. Immediate communication with the colleague directly involved in the error is crucial to address the situation effectively.

2. How should a healthcare provider respond when a patient expresses concerns about the side effects of a prescribed medication?

• A. Reassure the patient that side effects are rare.
• B. Discuss the benefits and risks of the medication with the patient.
• C. Encourage the patient to speak to the pharmacist.
• D. Refer the patient to another healthcare provider for information.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a patient expresses concerns about medication side effects, it is crucial for the healthcare provider to discuss the benefits and risks of the medication with the patient. This approach helps the patient make an informed decision about their treatment. Choice A is incorrect because dismissing the patient's concerns by reassuring them that side effects are rare may not address the patient's specific worries. Choice C, while pharmacists can provide valuable information, the primary responsibility lies with the healthcare provider. Choice D is incorrect as referring the patient to another healthcare provider may disrupt continuity of care and not address the patient's concerns effectively.

3. The nurse is performing hand hygiene before assisting a healthcare provider with insertion of a chest tube. While washing hands, the nurse touches the sink. Which action will the nurse take next?

• A. Repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap.
• B. Inform the healthcare provider and recruit another nurse to assist.
• C. Extend the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes.
• D. Rinse and dry hands and begin assisting the healthcare provider.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. The sink is considered a contaminated area. When hand hygiene is compromised during the process, it is essential to repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap to ensure proper hygiene. Choice B is incorrect because the situation can be managed by proper handwashing. Choice C is incorrect as extending the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes is not necessary in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect as the hands need to be properly cleaned before assisting the healthcare provider.

4. A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Which finding is most concerning?

• A. Mild redness at the incision site.
• B. Increased drainage from the surgical site.
• C. Fever of 101°F.
• D. Normal white blood cell count.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A fever of 101°F is the most concerning finding when assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Fever can indicate an inflammatory response to an infection, and in a postoperative patient, it can signal a surgical site infection or a systemic infection. Prompt attention is necessary to prevent complications such as sepsis. Mild redness at the incision site and increased drainage can be expected in the early postoperative period due to the normal healing process. A normal white blood cell count does not rule out infection as it can be influenced by various factors, and some infections may not initially cause a rise in white blood cells.

5. A nurse is caring for a patient with an infection. Which laboratory result is most important to monitor?

• A. White blood cell count (WBC)
• B. C-reactive protein (CRP)
• C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• D. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: White blood cell count (WBC). Monitoring the white blood cell count is crucial when caring for a patient with an infection as it helps assess the body's response to the infection. An elevated white blood cell count often indicates an active infection or inflammation, while a decreasing count may signal improvement or potential complications. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are nonspecific markers of inflammation and not as specific to monitoring infection progression as the white blood cell count. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity and blood volume, but they are not the primary indicators for monitoring infection.

Similar Questions