how should a nurse assess a patients pain level post surgery
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI RN Exit Exam 2023

1. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient's pain level post-surgery?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Using a pain rating scale is the most appropriate method to assess a patient's pain level post-surgery. Pain rating scales provide a standardized way for patients to communicate their pain intensity, allowing for accurate assessment and effective pain management. Checking vital signs (choice B) is important for monitoring a patient's overall health status but may not directly reflect their pain level. Observing for non-verbal cues (choice C) is valuable, but it may not always provide a clear indication of the pain intensity. Checking for abnormal breath sounds (choice D) is relevant for assessing respiratory status but does not directly evaluate the patient's pain level.

2. A nurse is providing teaching about gastrostomy tube feedings to the parents of a school-age child. Which of the following instructions should the nurse give?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer the feeding over 30 minutes. This slow administration helps prevent complications like nausea. Placing the child in a supine position after the feeding can increase the risk of aspiration, making choice B incorrect. Changing the feeding bag and tubing every 3 days is important for infection control and hygiene but is not directly related to the administration process, making choice C incorrect. Warming the formula in the microwave is not recommended as it can create hot spots that may burn the child's mouth or esophagus, so choice D is incorrect.

3. A nurse is assessing a client who has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Burning sensation in the chest. A burning sensation in the chest is a classic symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Abdominal distention (Choice A) is not typically associated with GERD; it is more commonly seen in conditions like bowel obstruction. Constipation (Choice C) is not a hallmark symptom of GERD, as it is more related to gastrointestinal motility issues. Frequent belching (Choice D) can occur with GERD, but it is not as specific or characteristic as the burning sensation in the chest.

4. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient experiencing hypoglycemia?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate nursing intervention for a patient experiencing hypoglycemia is to administer oral glucose. Oral glucose is usually sufficient for treating mild hypoglycemia and can be administered quickly and easily. Administering IV glucose (Choice A) is reserved for severe cases where the patient is unable to swallow or unconscious. Checking blood sugar in 15 minutes (Choice C) is important but providing glucose should come first. Providing a high-calorie snack (Choice D) may not be as rapidly effective as administering oral glucose in quickly raising blood sugar levels in a patient experiencing hypoglycemia.

5. What is the appropriate action for a patient experiencing chest pain?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for a patient experiencing chest pain is to administer aspirin. Aspirin helps reduce the risk of clot formation in patients with chest pain, as it has antiplatelet effects. Repositioning the patient may not address the underlying cause of the chest pain. Checking oxygen saturation is important but not the initial priority in this scenario. Surgery is not typically the first-line treatment for chest pain without further assessment and diagnostic procedures.

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