Nursing Elites

1. A patient is on contact precautions for an infection. What is the most important action for the nurse to take?

• A. Wear gloves when entering the patient's room.
• B. Place the patient in a private room.
• C. Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff for the patient.
• D. Dispose of all equipment in a biohazard bag.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most important action for the nurse to take when caring for a patient on contact precautions is to wear gloves when entering the patient's room. This is crucial in preventing the spread of infection from the patient to the healthcare provider and vice versa. Placing the patient in a private room may be necessary for airborne precautions but is not specifically related to contact precautions. Using a dedicated blood pressure cuff for the patient is important for preventing cross-contamination but is not the most critical action. Disposing of equipment in a biohazard bag is a standard procedure but is not the most important action in this scenario.

2. The nurse notes that a healthcare provider has prescribed a higher than normal dose of medication. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Administer the prescribed dose
• B. Ask another nurse to verify the dose
• C. Administer half of the dose
• D. Contact the healthcare provider to clarify the prescription

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a healthcare provider prescribes a dose that is higher than normal, it is crucial for the nurse to contact the provider to clarify the prescription. Administering the prescribed dose without clarification can lead to potential harm to the patient due to the elevated dosage. Asking another nurse to verify the dose may not provide the necessary clarification from the prescriber. Administering only half of the prescribed dose without consulting the healthcare provider is not the appropriate action, as the full rationale behind the higher dose needs to be understood before any administration.

3. A healthcare professional is assessing a patient's fluid balance. What is the most reliable indicator of fluid status?

• A. Monitor the patient's vital signs.
• B. Check the patient's weight daily.
• C. Measure the patient's intake and output.
• D. Monitor the patient's urine color.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Checking the patient's weight daily is the most reliable indicator of fluid status because weight changes can directly reflect fluid retention or loss. Monitoring vital signs (Choice A) can provide some information but is not as specific as weight changes. Measuring intake and output (Choice C) is crucial but may not always accurately reflect fluid balance. Monitoring urine color (Choice D) can give some insights into hydration levels, but it is not as reliable as daily weight checks for assessing overall fluid status.

4. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. What is the most important action to ensure patient safety?

• A. Check the patient's vital signs every 15 minutes during the transfusion.
• B. Verify the patient's identity with two identifiers before starting the transfusion.
• C. Ensure the blood product is administered within 4 hours of removal from the blood bank.
• D. Ensure the patient has signed the informed consent form.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important action to ensure patient safety when administering a blood transfusion is to verify the patient's identity with two identifiers before starting the transfusion. This step is crucial to prevent transfusion errors, such as giving the blood to the wrong patient. Checking vital signs, ensuring timely administration, and confirming informed consent are also important aspects of blood transfusion safety but verifying the patient's identity is the highest priority to prevent errors.

5. A client is experiencing chest pain. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer aspirin
• B. Provide oxygen
• C. Perform an ECG
• D. Administer nitroglycerin

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Administering nitroglycerin is the priority action when a client is experiencing chest pain as it helps alleviate the pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. Oxygen can be beneficial, but nitroglycerin takes precedence in this situation. Aspirin can also be given, but nitroglycerin is the priority. Performing an ECG can provide valuable information but is not the first action to take in this scenario.

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