Nursing Elites

1. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient with hyperkalemia?

• A. Monitor ECG and administer insulin
• B. Monitor blood glucose levels and provide fluids
• C. Monitor for muscle weakness and administer calcium gluconate
• D. Monitor electrolyte levels and provide potassium supplements

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Question: When assessing a patient with hyperkalemia, monitoring the ECG and administering insulin are crucial steps. Hyperkalemia can affect the heart's function, leading to life-threatening arrhythmias. Monitoring the ECG helps in identifying any cardiac abnormalities associated with high potassium levels. Administering insulin, along with glucose, helps shift potassium from the bloodstream into the cells, temporarily lowering the potassium levels. Choice B is incorrect because monitoring blood glucose levels and providing fluids are not the primary interventions for hyperkalemia. Choice C is incorrect as monitoring for muscle weakness and administering calcium gluconate are not the first-line treatments for hyperkalemia. Calcium gluconate may be used in specific situations to stabilize cardiac cell membranes in severe cases of hyperkalemia. Choice D is incorrect because monitoring electrolyte levels and providing potassium supplements would worsen hyperkalemia, as the patient already has elevated potassium levels and does not require additional potassium supplementation.

2. When caring for a client with a wound infection, what should the nurse prioritize?

• A. Change the dressing daily
• B. Cleanse the wound with an antiseptic solution
• C. Apply a wet-to-dry dressing to the wound
• D. Perform a wound culture before administering antibiotics

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should prioritize performing a wound culture before administering antibiotics to ensure appropriate treatment. This step helps identify the specific infecting organism and its susceptibility to different antibiotics, guiding effective antibiotic therapy. Changing the dressing daily (Choice A) is important but comes after assessing the infection and initiating appropriate treatment. Cleansing the wound with an antiseptic solution (Choice B) and applying a wet-to-dry dressing (Choice C) are interventions that may be necessary but are secondary to determining the most suitable antibiotic therapy based on the wound culture results.

3. Which intervention is most important for a client with chronic heart failure?

• A. Encourage fluid intake to prevent dehydration
• B. Monitor the client's weight daily to assess fluid balance
• C. Limit sodium intake to reduce fluid retention
• D. Restrict daily activity to prevent fatigue

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the client's weight daily to assess fluid balance in clients with chronic heart failure. Monitoring weight helps in detecting fluid retention or fluid loss, which is crucial in managing heart failure. Encouraging fluid intake to prevent dehydration (choice A) may worsen fluid overload in heart failure patients. Limiting sodium intake (choice C) is essential but not the most important intervention compared to monitoring weight. Restricting daily activity (choice D) is not recommended as it is important for clients with heart failure to engage in appropriate levels of physical activity to maintain their overall health.

4. A client is constipated and asks the nurse for advice. What should the nurse recommend?

• A. Administer a laxative to relieve discomfort
• B. Increase dietary fiber to promote bowel movements
• C. Advise the client to rest until symptoms resolve
• D. Encourage bed rest to allow bowel function to return

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct recommendation for constipation is to increase dietary fiber to promote bowel movements. Dietary fiber helps add bulk to the stool, making it easier to pass and promoting regular bowel movements. Administering a laxative (Choice A) is not the first-line recommendation and should be used cautiously due to potential side effects. Resting until symptoms resolve (Choice C) and encouraging bed rest (Choice D) are not effective interventions for relieving constipation.

5. A nurse is reviewing the plan of care for a client undergoing radiation therapy for cancer. Which of the following instructions should the nurse reinforce with the client?

• A. Apply sunscreen before going outside
• B. Avoid using perfumed lotions
• C. Massage the area daily
• D. Take vitamin supplements with food

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct instruction the nurse should reinforce with the client undergoing radiation therapy is to avoid using perfumed lotions. This is essential to reduce the risk of skin irritation, as perfumed lotions can exacerbate skin reactions during radiation therapy. Applying sunscreen before going outside is generally a good practice but not specifically related to radiation therapy. Massaging the area daily is contraindicated during radiation therapy as it can further irritate the skin. Taking vitamin supplements with food is important for overall health but is not a specific instruction related to radiation therapy.

Similar Questions