Nursing Elites

1. A patient is receiving an opioid analgesic for pain management. What is the most important assessment for the nurse to perform?

• A. Monitor the patient's blood pressure.
• B. Assess the patient's respiratory rate.
• C. Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation.
• D. Assess the patient's heart rate.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient's respiratory rate. When a patient is receiving opioids, it is crucial to monitor their respiratory rate as opioids can depress the respiratory system, leading to respiratory depression and potential respiratory failure. Monitoring blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate are important assessments as well, but the priority lies in assessing respiratory rate due to the risk of respiratory depression associated with opioid use.

2. What is the primary intervention for a client diagnosed with delirium?

• A. Provide a quiet and calm environment to minimize confusion
• B. Administer medication to reverse the symptoms of delirium
• C. Provide opportunities for social interaction to reduce isolation
• D. Encourage the client to remain physically active

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Provide a quiet and calm environment to minimize confusion. For clients diagnosed with delirium, creating a tranquil setting can help reduce agitation and disorientation. This intervention aims to decrease stimuli that may exacerbate symptoms. Administering medication (choice B) is not the primary intervention for delirium; it is usually reserved for specific underlying causes. While social interaction (choice C) and physical activity (choice D) are beneficial for overall well-being, they are not the primary interventions for managing delirium.

3. What should be done to ensure safety during the transfer of a patient with limited mobility?

• A. Have the patient use a gait belt for support.
• B. Encourage the patient to hold onto a walker.
• C. Lock the wheels on the bed and wheelchair.
• D. Ask the patient to transfer independently.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to lock the wheels on the bed and wheelchair. This action helps prevent accidents by stabilizing the equipment during the transfer process. Having the patient use a gait belt for support (choice A) can be helpful but is not directly related to equipment safety. Encouraging the patient to hold onto a walker (choice B) is beneficial for ambulation but does not address the safety of equipment. Asking the patient to transfer independently (choice D) can pose risks, especially for a patient with limited mobility, and may not ensure safety during the transfer.

4. When assessing a client with terminal cancer receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of morphine sulfate, what should the nurse check first?

• A. Check for respiratory depression.
• B. Assess pain control.
• C. Check the infusion site for complications.
• D. Monitor the client's blood pressure.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to check for respiratory depression first when assessing a client receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of morphine sulfate. Respiratory depression is the most common life-threatening side effect associated with morphine administration. Monitoring respiratory status is crucial as it can quickly deteriorate, leading to serious complications or even respiratory arrest. Assessing pain control (choice B) is important but ensuring adequate ventilation takes precedence. Checking the infusion site for complications (choice C) and monitoring blood pressure (choice D) are also essential aspects of care but are secondary to evaluating respiratory status when administering morphine.

5. A nurse is performing a pain assessment for a client who is alert. The nurse should recognize that which of the following measures is the most reliable indicator of pain?

• A. Self-report of pain
• B. Nonverbal behavior
• C. Severity of the condition
• D. Vital signs

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Self-report of pain. Pain is a subjective experience, and the most reliable way to assess it is through the client's self-report. While nonverbal behaviors and vital signs can provide additional information, they are not as reliable as the client's own report of pain. The severity of the condition may influence the experience of pain but is not a direct indicator of the client's pain level.

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