Nursing Elites

1. A nurse suspects a colleague of diverting narcotics. What is the nurse's first course of action?

• A. Confront the colleague directly about the suspicion.
• B. Report the suspicion to the nurse manager.
• C. Ignore the situation unless there is clear evidence.
• D. Keep a record of the colleague's actions for future reference.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first course of action for a nurse suspecting a colleague of diverting narcotics is to report the suspicion to the nurse manager. Confronting the colleague directly may not be safe and could compromise the investigation. Ignoring the situation is not appropriate as it can pose risks to patient safety. Keeping a record of the colleague's actions is not the primary action to take when drug diversion is suspected; reporting to the nurse manager is crucial for proper investigation and ensuring patient safety.

2. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional to take when a medication error occurs?

• A. Document the error in the patient's medical record.
• B. Report the error to the healthcare provider immediately.
• C. Apologize to the patient and explain what happened.
• D. Continue administering the medication and monitor the patient closely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a medication error occurs, the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional is to report the error to the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial for ensuring prompt corrective action to mitigate any potential harm to the patient. Documenting the error is important but should come after reporting it to the relevant authorities. Apologizing to the patient is important for maintaining trust and communication but should not take precedence over reporting and addressing the error. Continuing to administer the medication without addressing the error is unsafe and goes against patient safety protocols.

3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has schizophrenia about thioridazine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Report any sign of infection to the provider immediately
• B. Expect your blood pressure to increase
• C. Easy bruising may occur while taking this medication
• D. Muscle rigidity is an expected adverse effect during the first few days of therapy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Report any sign of infection to the provider immediately.' This instruction is essential for clients taking thioridazine or other antipsychotic medications. Thioridazine does not typically affect blood pressure or cause easy bruising. Muscle rigidity is more commonly associated with other antipsychotic medications. Reporting signs of infection promptly is crucial as antipsychotic medications can affect the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Early detection and treatment of infections help prevent complications and ensure proper medication management.

4. Which intervention is essential when caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube?

• A. Suction the NG tube every 4 hours.
• B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
• C. Flush the NG tube with water before and after each medication administration.
• D. Remove the NG tube once the patient feels comfortable.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Checking the placement of the NG tube before each feeding is crucial to ensure it is correctly positioned and safe to use. Option A is incorrect as routine suctioning can lead to complications and should only be done as needed. Option C is not necessary unless there are specific instructions for flushing. Option D is incorrect as the NG tube should only be removed by healthcare professionals based on medical criteria, not solely based on the patient's comfort.

5. A patient receiving chemotherapy has developed neutropenia. What should be included in the care plan to reduce infection risk?

• A. Monitor temperature daily
• B. Limit visitors
• C. Administer antibiotics prophylactically
• D. Use reverse isolation precautions

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a patient receiving chemotherapy develops neutropenia, the priority is to reduce the risk of infection. Using reverse isolation precautions is crucial in this situation to protect the patient from exposure to pathogens. Monitoring temperature daily (Choice A) is important but is not as effective as isolating the patient. Limiting visitors (Choice B) can help reduce the risk of exposure, but reverse isolation is a more stringent measure. Administering antibiotics prophylactically (Choice C) is not recommended unless there is a specific indication, as it can contribute to antibiotic resistance.

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