Nursing Elites

1. How should a healthcare provider monitor a patient who has been prescribed digoxin?

• A. Monitor potassium levels
• B. Monitor heart rate
• C. Check digoxin levels
• D. Check blood glucose levels

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct way to monitor a patient who has been prescribed digoxin is by checking digoxin levels. Digoxin is a medication used to treat various heart conditions, and monitoring its levels in the blood is crucial to prevent toxicity. Monitoring potassium levels (Choice A) is important as well, as digoxin can affect potassium levels, but checking digoxin levels is more specific to monitoring the medication itself. Monitoring heart rate (Choice B) is relevant but does not directly assess the medication levels. Checking blood glucose levels (Choice D) is not typically indicated specifically for patients prescribed digoxin.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for metformin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Take this medication on an empty stomach.
• B. You should avoid eating foods high in potassium.
• C. You should take this medication with meals to improve absorption.
• D. Take this medication before bed to prevent drowsiness.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client prescribed metformin is to take the medication with meals to improve absorption and reduce gastrointestinal upset. Metformin is typically recommended to be taken with food to minimize side effects. Option A is incorrect as taking metformin on an empty stomach may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects. Option B is unrelated as metformin does not interact with potassium-rich foods. Option D is also incorrect as metformin does not cause drowsiness, so there is no need to take it before bed.

3. What is the best nursing action for a patient experiencing shortness of breath?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Administer bronchodilators
• C. Reposition the patient
• D. Provide IV fluids

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is the best nursing action for a patient experiencing shortness of breath as it helps alleviate the symptoms and improve oxygenation. Providing oxygen addresses the primary issue of inadequate oxygen levels in the body, which can be a life-threatening situation. Administering bronchodilators (choice B) may be appropriate for specific respiratory conditions like asthma but is not the initial intervention for all causes of shortness of breath. Repositioning the patient (choice C) can sometimes help improve breathing, but in a patient experiencing significant shortness of breath, immediate oxygen therapy is crucial. Providing IV fluids (choice D) is not indicated as the first-line intervention for shortness of breath unless there is a specific underlying cause such as dehydration.

4. A client has a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system. Which of the following actions should be taken?

• A. Clamp the chest tube during ambulation
• B. Keep the collection chamber below the level of the chest
• C. Add sterile water to the water-seal chamber
• D. Empty the collection chamber every 12 hours

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when caring for a client with a chest tube connected to a water-seal drainage system is to add sterile water to the water-seal chamber. This is necessary to maintain the correct water level for proper chest tube function. Clamping the chest tube during ambulation (Choice A) is incorrect as it can lead to complications by obstructing drainage. Keeping the collection chamber below the level of the chest (Choice B) is incorrect because it should be kept below the chest to facilitate drainage. Emptying the collection chamber every 12 hours (Choice D) is incorrect as it should be emptied whenever it reaches the fill line or as per facility policy, not on a fixed time schedule.

5. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing a myocardial infarction?

• A. Administer aspirin
• B. Administer nitroglycerin
• C. Administer morphine
• D. Prepare for surgery

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer aspirin. Administering aspirin is a priority nursing intervention for a patient experiencing a myocardial infarction because it helps reduce the risk of further clot formation. Aspirin is a common medication given during the early stages of a heart attack to prevent additional clotting. Administering nitroglycerin may also be indicated to help relieve chest pain by dilating blood vessels, but aspirin takes precedence due to its role in preventing clot progression. Administering morphine is not typically the first intervention in myocardial infarction as it can mask symptoms and delay other critical treatments. Surgery is not an immediate priority in the initial management of a myocardial infarction.

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