Nursing Elites

1. At 01:00 on a male client's second postoperative night, the client states he is unable to sleep and plans to read until feeling sleepy. What action should the nurse implement?

• A. Leave the room and close the door to the client's room
• B. Assess the appearance of the client's surgical dressing
• C. Bring the client a prescribed PRN sedative-hypnotic
• D. Discuss symptoms of sleep deprivation with the client

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The client has a plan to read until feeling sleepy, indicating an intention to sleep. Therefore, offering a PRN sedative-hypnotic (C) is unnecessary, especially since it is a stronger sleep aid. Option (D) is not needed as the client already has a plan to address his sleeplessness. Assessing the surgical dressing (B) is not relevant to the client's immediate need for sleep. Leaving the room and closing the door (A) is the appropriate action to provide a conducive environment for the client to rest.

2. A patient who has small cell carcinoma of the lung develops syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The nurse should notify the healthcare provider about which assessment finding?

• A. Reported weight gain
• B. Serum hematocrit of 42%
• C. Serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L
• D. Total urinary output of 280 mL during the past 8 hours

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, a serum sodium level of 120 mEq/L. Hyponatremia is the most important finding to report in SIADH. SIADH causes water retention and a decrease in serum sodium levels. Hyponatremia can lead to confusion and other central nervous system effects and requires treatment. Adequate kidney function is indicated by a urinary output of at least 30 mL/hr. A hematocrit level of 42% is normal. Weight gain is expected due to water retention in SIADH.

3. A postoperative patient who had surgery for a perforated gastric ulcer has been receiving nasogastric suction for 3 days. The patient now has a serum sodium level of 127 mEq/L (127 mmol/L). Which prescribed therapy should the nurse question?

• A. Infuse 5% dextrose in water at 125 mL/hr.
• B. Administer IV morphine sulfate 4 mg every 2 hours PRN.
• C. Give IV metoclopramide (Reglan) 10 mg every 6 hours PRN for nausea.
• D. Administer 3% saline if serum sodium decreases to less than 128 mEq/L.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse should question the prescription to infuse 5% dextrose in water at 125 mL/hr because the patient's gastric suction has been depleting electrolytes, leading to hyponatremia. Therefore, the IV solution should include electrolyte replacement. Solutions like lactated Ringer’s solution would usually be ordered. The other choices (B, C, and D) are appropriate for a postoperative patient with gastric suction, addressing pain management, nausea control, and correcting hyponatremia if it drops below a certain level.

4. A client with bladder cancer had surgical placement of a ureteroileostomy (ileal conduit) yesterday. Which postoperative assessment finding should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?

• A. red and edematous stoma appearance
• B. liquid brown drainage from stoma
• C. stoma output of 40ml in the last hour
• D. mucous strings floating in the drainage

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Stoma output of only 40ml in the last hour may indicate a problem, such as dehydration or blockage, and should be reported immediately. A red and edematous stoma appearance could be due to inflammation, which is expected in the early postoperative period. Liquid brown drainage from the stoma is a normal finding. Mucous strings floating in the drainage are also a common occurrence postoperatively and do not typically require immediate reporting.

5. The long-term care nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of protein supplements for an older resident who has a low serum total protein level. Which assessment finding indicates that the patient’s condition has improved?

• A. Hematocrit 28%
• B. Absence of skin tenting
• C. Decreased peripheral edema
• D. Blood pressure 110/72 mm Hg

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The decrease in peripheral edema indicates an improvement in the patient’s protein status. Edema is caused by low oncotic pressure in individuals with low serum protein levels. Good skin turgor is an indicator of fluid balance, not protein status. A low hematocrit could be caused by poor protein intake. Blood pressure does not provide a useful clinical tool for monitoring protein status.

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