Nursing Elites

1. A patient is experiencing shortness of breath. What is the nurse's immediate action?

• A. Assist the patient into a high Fowler's position.
• B. Administer oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula.
• C. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and cough.
• D. Assess the patient's lung sounds.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula is the immediate action for a patient experiencing shortness of breath. This intervention helps to improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress promptly. Placing the patient in a high Fowler's position (choice A) may also be beneficial but providing oxygen takes precedence in this scenario to address the underlying hypoxemia. Encouraging deep breaths and coughing (choice C) may not be appropriate as the first action, especially without assessing the patient first. Assessing lung sounds (choice D) is essential but should follow the initial intervention of administering oxygen.

2. A nurse is teaching the partner of a client who had a stroke about manifestations of dysphagia. Which of the following statements by the client's partner indicates the need for further teaching?

• A. I will monitor my husband for coughing while he is eating
• B. I will monitor my husband for pocketing food in his mouth
• C. I will monitor for a change in my husband's voice after he swallows
• D. I will monitor my husband for tilting his head forward when he swallows

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Tilting the head forward during swallowing is not a compensatory technique for dysphagia and may increase the risk of aspiration. Choices A, B, and C are correct statements indicating appropriate monitoring for manifestations of dysphagia: coughing while eating, pocketing food in the mouth, and changes in voice after swallowing are all signs that should be monitored.

3. A nurse in a clinic is caring for a client who has a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which of the following prescriptions should the nurse verify with a provider?

• A. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
• B. Hyoscyamine
• C. Oxybutynin
• D. Phenazopyridine

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Oxybutynin. Oxybutynin can worsen urinary retention, so the nurse should verify this prescription with the provider. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Choice A) is a common antibiotic used to treat UTIs and does not require verification. Hyoscyamine (Choice B) is an anticholinergic medication used for bladder spasms and does not typically worsen UTI symptoms. Phenazopyridine (Choice D) is a urinary analgesic that helps relieve pain, burning, and discomfort caused by a UTI, which may not necessarily require verification in this scenario.

4. A patient with heart failure has gained 5 pounds in the last 3 days. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

• A. Restrict the patient's fluid intake.
• B. Monitor the patient's daily weight.
• C. Administer diuretics as prescribed.
• D. Increase the patient's salt intake to promote fluid balance.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the patient's daily weight. In heart failure, sudden weight gain indicates fluid retention, which can worsen the condition. Monitoring daily weight helps in early detection of fluid accumulation, allowing timely intervention. Restricting fluid intake (choice A) may be necessary but is not the priority at this point. Administering diuretics (choice C) should be done based on healthcare provider orders, not the nurse's independent decision. Increasing salt intake (choice D) is contraindicated in heart failure as it can exacerbate fluid retention.

5. A client has a new prescription for beclomethasone inhaler to use with an albuterol inhaler for asthma maintenance. What should the nurse instruct the client?

• A. Skip doses if breathing improves
• B. Use the albuterol inhaler first
• C. Gargle with water after each use
• D. Store inhaler in the refrigerator

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to gargle with water after each use of the beclomethasone inhaler. Beclomethasone can cause oral thrush, and gargling with water helps prevent this complication. Choice A is incorrect because the client should not skip doses even if breathing improves, as the medications are prescribed for maintenance. Choice B is incorrect as there is no specific instruction to use the albuterol inhaler first in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect because inhalers should not be stored in the refrigerator unless specified by the manufacturer.

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