Nursing Elites

1. After abdominal surgery, a client has a nasogastric tube attached to low suctioning. The client becomes nauseated, and the nurse observes a decrease in the flow of gastric secretions. Which of the following nursing interventions would be MOST appropriate?

• A. Irrigate the nasogastric tube with distilled water
• B. Aspirate the gastric contents with a syringe
• C. Administer an antiemetic medication
• D. Insert a new nasogastric tube

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention when a client with a nasogastric tube experiences nausea and a decrease in gastric secretions is to aspirate the gastric contents with a syringe. This action helps relieve nausea by removing excess fluid and gas. Option A, irrigating the nasogastric tube with distilled water, is not indicated as it does not address the underlying issue of decreased gastric secretions. Option C, administering an antiemetic medication, may provide symptomatic relief but does not address the mechanical issue of decreased flow in the nasogastric tube. Option D, inserting a new nasogastric tube, is not necessary unless there are specific complications or obstructions in the current tube.

2. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with chest pain?

• A. Administer nitroglycerin
• B. Assess pain level
• C. Monitor vital signs
• D. Provide oxygen therapy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is the priority intervention for a patient with chest pain because it helps relieve chest pain by dilating coronary arteries, improving blood flow to the heart muscle. Assessing pain level, monitoring vital signs, and providing oxygen therapy are important interventions as well, but administering nitroglycerin takes precedence in addressing the immediate symptom of chest pain and potential cardiac ischemia.

3. How should a healthcare provider assess a patient for fluid overload?

• A. Monitor weight and assess for shortness of breath
• B. Auscultate lung sounds and monitor blood pressure
• C. Assess for edema in the extremities
• D. Assess for jugular venous distension

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correctly, the answer is to monitor weight and assess for shortness of breath when assessing a patient for fluid overload. Weight monitoring is crucial as sudden weight gain can indicate fluid retention. Shortness of breath can be a sign of fluid accumulation in the lungs. While auscultating lung sounds and monitoring blood pressure are important assessments in overall patient care, they may not be specific to fluid overload. Assessing for edema in the extremities is relevant, but it is not as sensitive as monitoring weight for detecting fluid overload. Assessing for jugular venous distension is more specific to assessing fluid status in heart failure rather than a general assessment for fluid overload.

4. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider to take when a patient is experiencing a seizure?

• A. Protect the patient's head
• B. Restrain the patient's movements
• C. Insert an airway
• D. Give the patient water

Correct answer: A

Rationale: During a seizure, the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider is to protect the patient's head. This helps prevent injury, especially considering the involuntary movements and potential thrashing associated with seizures. Restraint should be avoided as it can lead to further injury or distress for the patient. Inserting an airway is not recommended during an active seizure as the patient's airway may not be obstructed, and it could pose a risk of injury. Giving the patient water during a seizure is also not advisable as there is a risk of aspiration. Therefore, the priority is to ensure the patient's safety by protecting their head.

5. A nurse is planning to irrigate and dress a clean, granulating wound for a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Irrigate the wound with normal saline.
• B. Apply a wet-to-dry gauze dressing.
• C. Use a cotton ball to cleanse the wound.
• D. Administer an analgesic after the dressing change.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to irrigate the wound with normal saline. Normal saline is the preferred solution for wound irrigation as it is isotonic and gentle, promoting healing in granulating wounds. Choice B, applying a wet-to-dry gauze dressing, is not appropriate for clean, granulating wounds as it can cause trauma to the wound bed upon removal. Choice C, using a cotton ball to cleanse the wound, is not ideal as cotton fibers can adhere to the wound and cause contamination. Choice D, administering an analgesic after the dressing change, is important for pain management but is not directly related to irrigating and dressing the wound.

Similar Questions