Nursing Elites

1. An 18-year-old client is admitted to the intensive care unit from the emergency room following a diving accident. The injury is suspected to be at the level of the 2nd cervical vertebra. The nurse's priority assessment should be

• A. Response to stimuli
• B. Bladder control
• C. Respiratory function
• D. Muscle strength

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Injuries at the level of the 2nd cervical vertebra can affect the phrenic nerve, leading to potential impairment of respiratory function. Assessing respiratory function is crucial as compromised breathing can quickly escalate to life-threatening situations. While response to stimuli is important, ensuring adequate oxygenation takes precedence due to the immediate threat to life. Bladder control may be affected by spinal cord injuries at higher levels, but it is not the priority in this scenario. Muscle strength is a potential consequence of cervical spinal cord injury, but assessing respiratory function is more critical in the acute phase.

2. What is the most important aspect for the nurse to include in the discharge plan for a client performing his own dressing changes at home following abdominal surgery?

• A. Demonstration of appropriate hand hygiene
• B. Explanation of wound care technique
• C. Review of signs and symptoms of infection
• D. Instructions for when to contact the healthcare provider

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most critical aspect for the nurse to include in the discharge plan for a client performing his own dressing changes at home following abdominal surgery is the demonstration of appropriate hand hygiene. Proper hand hygiene is essential to prevent the introduction of infection during dressing changes. While wound care technique, signs and symptoms of infection, and instructions for contacting the healthcare provider are all important components of the discharge plan, ensuring the client understands and practices proper hand hygiene is paramount to minimize the risk of infection. This choice takes precedence as it directly addresses infection prevention during the dressing changes, which is crucial for successful post-operative recovery.

3. What is the first step a healthcare professional should take when preparing to provide tracheostomy care?

• A. Perform hand hygiene
• B. Gather equipment
• C. Explain the procedure
• D. Assess the client

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Performing hand hygiene is the initial step a healthcare professional should take when preparing to provide tracheostomy care. This step is crucial to prevent the transmission of pathogens and reduce the risk of infection to the client. By cleansing the hands, the healthcare professional ensures patient safety. While gathering equipment, explaining the procedure, and assessing the client are essential components of tracheostomy care, they should occur after performing hand hygiene to maintain aseptic technique and minimize the risk of introducing harmful microorganisms to the client.

4. A client is being treated for paranoid schizophrenia. When the client became loud and boisterous, the nurse immediately placed him in seclusion as a precautionary measure. The client willingly complied. The nurse's action:

• A. May result in charges of unlawful seclusion and restraint
• B. Leaves the nurse vulnerable to charges of assault and battery
• C. Was appropriate given the client's history of violence
• D. Was necessary to maintain the therapeutic milieu of the unit

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Placing a client in seclusion without proper justification and documentation can lead to charges of unlawful seclusion and restraint, regardless of the client's compliance. This legal issue arises from the potential violation of the client's rights and must be avoided. Choice B is incorrect as the situation does not involve assault and battery. Choice C is incorrect as past violence alone does not justify seclusion without immediate risk. Choice D is incorrect as seclusion should be used based on individual risk and necessity, not solely for maintaining the therapeutic milieu.

5. What is the most important action for the nurse to take to prevent infection in a client who has just returned from surgery with an indwelling urinary catheter in place?

• A. Change the catheter every 72 hours.
• B. Ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks.
• C. Clean the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily.
• D. Irrigate the catheter with normal saline every shift.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important action to prevent infection in a client with an indwelling urinary catheter is to ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks. This action helps prevent obstruction, ensures proper drainage, and reduces the risk of infection. Changing the catheter every 72 hours is not necessary unless clinically indicated and may introduce unnecessary risk. Cleaning the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily is important for general hygiene but not the most critical action for catheter-related infection prevention. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline every shift is not a routine nursing intervention for catheter care and may increase the risk of introducing pathogens.

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