Nursing Elites

1. A patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication. What should the nurse assess for?

• A. Check for compartment syndrome
• B. Increase the pain medication
• C. Prepare the patient for surgery immediately
• D. Administer a sedative to calm the patient

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correct answer: When a patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment compromises circulation and can lead to tissue damage. It is a surgical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Choice B is incorrect because simply increasing pain medication without identifying the cause of the unrelieved pain may mask symptoms of a serious issue like compartment syndrome. Choice C is incorrect as surgery would only be necessary if compartment syndrome is confirmed. Choice D is incorrect as administering a sedative does not address the underlying issue of unrelieved pain and may delay appropriate treatment.

2. A nurse is caring for a client and realizes they have administered the wrong medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Notify the provider
• B. Check the condition of the client
• C. Document the occurrence in the electronic medical record
• D. Complete an incident report

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to 'Check the condition of the client' first. When a medication error occurs, the nurse's initial priority should be to assess the client's condition to address any immediate harm or side effects. Notifying the provider can come after ensuring the client's safety. Documenting the occurrence in the electronic medical record and completing an incident report are important steps but should follow the assessment of the client's condition to prioritize patient safety.

3. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and notices clots in the client's urinary catheter and decreased urinary output. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Administer an antispasmodic
• B. Irrigate the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation
• C. Apply gentle manual pressure to the bladder
• D. Clamp the catheter tubing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should irrigate the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation. This action helps clear the clots in the catheter and restore proper urine flow after a TURP. Administering an antispasmodic (Choice A) is not the appropriate action for clots in the catheter and decreased urinary output. Applying gentle manual pressure to the bladder (Choice C) or clamping the catheter tubing (Choice D) could potentially worsen the situation by causing bladder distention or preventing urine drainage.

4. A client asks about becoming an organ donor. What information should the nurse provide?

• A. The process should be discussed with family first.
• B. The organ donation process should begin immediately.
• C. Organ donation can proceed even if the family disagrees.
• D. Donor cards must be signed in the presence of a witness.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. For organ donation to be legally valid, the donor must sign consent documents in the presence of a witness. Choice A is incorrect because while discussing with family is important, it is not a legal requirement for organ donation. Choice B is incorrect as the organ donation process involves various steps and procedures that cannot begin immediately. Choice C is incorrect because organ donation typically requires consent and cooperation from the family if the donor is unable to provide consent.

5. A healthcare provider is providing teaching for a patient with a prescription for oral metronidazole, what is the priority teaching point?

• A. Report headaches
• B. Report a rash
• C. Avoid sunlight
• D. Take with meals

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to 'Report a rash.' Metronidazole can cause severe adverse reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening rash. It is crucial to educate the patient to report any rash immediately to prevent serious complications. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because while they may be relevant to consider during metronidazole therapy, they are not the priority teaching point. Headaches can occur but are not as serious as a rash; avoiding sunlight is more related to doxycycline, not metronidazole; and taking with meals is a general instruction for some medications but not the priority teaching point for metronidazole.

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