Nursing Elites

1. The nurse assesses an adult male client 24 hours following abdominal surgery and finds that his blood pressure is 98/40 mm Hg, he is tachycardic, restless, and irritable. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Notify the healthcare provider of the findings.
• B. Ensure that the IV is infusing at the prescribed rate.
• C. Listen to lung sounds.
• D. Check under his back for evidence of bleeding.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse should first check under the client for evidence of bleeding. A blood pressure of 98/40 mm Hg, along with tachycardia, restlessness, and irritability, could indicate internal hemorrhage following abdominal surgery. Checking for bleeding under the back is crucial to rule out this life-threatening complication. Notifying the healthcare provider, ensuring IV infusion, or listening to lung sounds can be important but are secondary to ruling out immediate life-threatening conditions like internal bleeding.

2. A client with COPD is receiving home oxygen therapy. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching?

• A. Increase oxygen flow rate during physical activity
• B. Smoke at least 10 feet away from the oxygen source
• C. Use petroleum jelly to prevent nasal dryness
• D. Ensure the oxygen tank is stored in a secure upright position

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important instruction for the nurse to include in the discharge teaching for a client with COPD receiving home oxygen therapy is to ensure the oxygen tank is stored in a secure upright position. This is crucial to prevent accidents such as leaks or falls that can lead to serious injury or damage. Choice A is incorrect as increasing the oxygen flow rate during physical activity without a healthcare provider's guidance can be harmful. Choice B is incorrect as smoking near an oxygen source can cause a fire hazard. Choice C is incorrect as petroleum jelly is flammable and should not be used around oxygen due to the risk of combustion.

3. Parents of a school-age child ask the nurse for suggestions in helping the child who is demonstrating school avoidance. What is an appropriate suggestion by the nurse?

• A. Take the child to the healthcare provider for testing.
• B. Be firm and insist the child go to school.
• C. Allow the child to stay home and rest.
• D. Consult with the teacher at school.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a child is demonstrating school avoidance, it is important for parents to be firm and insist that the child go to school. This helps establish a routine and prevents the behavior from becoming a pattern. Taking the child to the healthcare provider for testing (Choice A) may not be necessary at this stage as school avoidance is a behavioral issue. Allowing the child to stay home and rest (Choice C) may reinforce the avoidance behavior. While consulting with the teacher at school (Choice D) is important, the immediate focus should be on addressing the avoidance behavior at home.

4. Following surgical repair of the bladder, a female client is being discharged from the hospital to home with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which instruction is most important for the nurse to provide to this client?

• A. Avoid coiling the tubing and keep it free of kinks.
• B. Cleanse the perineal area with soap and water twice daily.
• C. Keep the drainage bag lower than the level of the bladder.
• D. Drink 1,000 ml of fluids daily to irrigate the catheter.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most crucial instruction for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter post-bladder surgery is to keep the drainage bag positioned lower than the level of the bladder. This positioning prevents backflow of urine into the bladder, reducing the risk of infection. Choice A, avoiding coiling the tubing and keeping it free of kinks, is important to maintain proper flow but not as critical as ensuring the drainage bag is lower than the bladder. Choice B, cleansing the perineal area, is essential for overall hygiene but not directly related to catheter care instructions. Choice D, drinking fluids to irrigate the catheter, is not recommended as it may increase the risk of infection and should be guided by healthcare providers based on specific needs.

5. When conducting a class for parents about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the nurse instructs the class that the infant should be placed in which position to sleep?

• A. Right side-lying
• B. Left side-lying
• C. Prone
• D. Supine

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, supine. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing infants on their back, or supine, to sleep as it has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because placing infants on their right side, left side, or prone (on their stomach) respectively are not recommended sleeping positions due to the increased risk of SIDS associated with those positions.

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