Nursing Elites

1. A patient with severe pain and leg swelling is admitted. What should the nurse assess for?

• A. Check for signs of deep vein thrombosis.
• B. Assess for compartment syndrome.
• C. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
• D. Prepare the patient for surgery to relieve pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a patient presents with severe pain and leg swelling, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can develop due to increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to compromised circulation and potential tissue damage. It is crucial to identify compartment syndrome promptly as it may require immediate intervention to prevent further complications. Checking for signs of deep vein thrombosis (Choice A) is also important in a patient with leg swelling, but in this scenario, the focus should be on assessing for compartment syndrome due to the severity of the symptoms. Increasing fluid intake (Choice C) may not address the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms. Preparing the patient for surgery (Choice D) without a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis is premature and may not be the appropriate initial intervention.

2. What are the clinical signs of hyperglycemia in a patient with diabetes mellitus, and how should a nurse respond?

• A. Monitoring blood glucose levels and administering insulin
• B. Polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia
• C. Fatigue, blurred vision, and fruity breath
• D. Educating the patient on blood glucose monitoring

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct signs of hyperglycemia in a patient with diabetes mellitus are polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger). These symptoms indicate high blood sugar levels. Therefore, the correct response for a nurse would be to recognize these signs, monitor blood glucose levels, and administer insulin to manage the hyperglycemia. Choice A is incorrect because it only addresses the response aspect without mentioning the signs. Choices C and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the classic clinical signs of hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus.

3. What is the most important action for the nurse to take before administering digoxin to a patient?

• A. Check the patient's heart rate before administration.
• B. Assess the patient's blood pressure before administration.
• C. Ensure the patient has eaten before administration.
• D. Monitor the patient's weight before administration.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to check the patient's heart rate before administering digoxin. Digoxin is a medication that primarily affects cardiac function. Monitoring the heart rate is crucial because digoxin can cause arrhythmias or worsen existing heart rhythm abnormalities. Assessing blood pressure may also be important but is secondary to evaluating the heart rate when administering digoxin. Ensuring the patient has eaten before administration is not directly related to the safe administration of digoxin. Monitoring the patient's weight is not a priority action before administering digoxin.

4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client by nasogastric tube. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer the medication without further assessment.
• B. Check the tube placement before administering any medication.
• C. Administer the medication in liquid form only.
• D. Administer half the dosage as a precaution.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Check the tube placement before administering any medication. Before administering medication through a nasogastric tube, the nurse must first verify the tube's correct placement to ensure the medication reaches the stomach and to prevent complications such as aspiration. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because administering medication without confirming proper tube placement can lead to serious consequences for the client.

5. A patient has difficulty ambulating after surgery. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Encourage deep breathing exercises.
• B. Assist the patient in ambulating a short distance.
• C. Call for assistance with ambulation.
• D. Assess the patient's pain level before ambulation.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when a patient has difficulty ambulating after surgery is to call for assistance with ambulation. This is essential to ensure the safety of the patient and prevent any potential falls or injuries. Encouraging deep breathing exercises (Choice A) may be beneficial but should not be the first priority when the patient is having difficulty walking. Assisting the patient in ambulating a short distance (Choice B) may put both the patient and the nurse at risk if the patient is struggling. Assessing the patient's pain level before ambulation (Choice D) is important but should come after ensuring that the patient can safely ambulate with assistance.

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