Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare professional is administering an intermittent infusion of an antibiotic to a client with an antecubital saline lock. After opening the roller clamp on the IV tubing, the alarm on the infusion pump indicates an obstruction. What action should be taken first?

• A. Check for a blood return.
• B. Reposition the client's arm.
• C. Remove the IV site dressing.
• D. Flush the lock with saline.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Repositioning the client's arm is the initial action to take when encountering an obstruction with an antecubital saline lock. Repositioning may correct any bending at the elbow that could be causing the obstruction, allowing for smoother infusion flow. Checking for a blood return, removing the IV site dressing, or flushing the lock with saline would be subsequent actions once the obstruction is addressed. Checking for a blood return is done to confirm proper placement, removing the IV site dressing is necessary for site assessment, and flushing the lock with saline helps maintain patency but should not be the first action when an obstruction is detected.

2. Upon admission, a female client with breast cancer, liver, and spine metastases presents with constant, severe pain despite the continuous use of oxycodone (Percodan) and amitriptyline (Elavil) at home for pain management. What information is most crucial for the nurse to gather during the admission assessment?

• A. Sensory pattern, area, intensity, and nature of the pain.
• B. Identification of trigger points through palpation and manual pressure on painful areas.
• C. Current schedule and total dosages of medications used for breakthrough pain.
• D. Assessment of sympathetic responses indicative of acute pain onset.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most critical information for the nurse to obtain during the admission assessment of a client with severe pain due to breast cancer metastasis to the liver and spine is the sensory pattern, area, intensity, and nature of the pain. Understanding these details is essential to tailor appropriate pain management therapy effectively. By assessing the sensory pattern, area, intensity, and nature of pain, the nurse can better determine the underlying cause and choose the most suitable interventions to address the client's pain and improve their quality of life. Trigger points, medication dosages, and sympathetic responses are also important aspects of pain assessment but understanding the sensory aspects of pain is fundamental for providing optimal care in this scenario.

3. A Native American individual presents to the clinic with complaints of frequent abdominal cramping and nausea. They state that they have chronic constipation and have not had a bowel movement in five days, despite trying several home remedies. Which intervention is most important for the healthcare provider to implement?

• A. Evaluate the stool samples for the presence of blood
• B. Assess for the presence of an impaction
• C. Determine which home remedies were used
• D. Obtain a list of prescribed medications

Correct answer: C

Rationale: It is crucial to determine which home remedies the individual has tried to avoid interactions with prescribed treatments and consider cultural practices that may influence their healthcare choices. Understanding the home remedies used can provide insights into the individual's health beliefs, preferences, and potential interactions with conventional treatments, allowing for a more holistic approach to their care.

4. When preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter, the nurse applies sterile gloves and then tests the catheter balloon for patency. What action should the nurse implement next?

• A. Place a sterile drape under the client's buttocks.
• B. Instruct the client to inhale and then exhale slowly.
• C. Discard the gloves and apply new sterile gloves.
• D. Apply a sterile lubricant to the end of the catheter.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: After testing the catheter balloon for patency, the nurse should proceed to apply a sterile lubricant to the end of the catheter. This lubrication helps facilitate the insertion of the catheter smoothly. Placing a sterile drape under the client's buttocks should have been done prior to this step. Discarding the gloves and applying new sterile gloves is not necessary at this point in the procedure. Instructing the client to inhale and exhale slowly is not part of the immediate steps for inserting an indwelling urinary catheter.

5. The healthcare provider is caring for a client who is experiencing fluid volume deficit (dehydration). Which intervention should the healthcare provider implement to assess the effectiveness of fluid replacement therapy?

• A. Monitor daily weights
• B. Assess skin turgor
• C. Evaluate blood pressure trends
• D. Check urine specific gravity

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Monitoring daily weights is an accurate method to assess the effectiveness of fluid replacement therapy because changes in weight reflect changes in fluid balance. Fluid volume deficit can be objectively evaluated by monitoring daily weights as it provides a more precise measurement of fluid status over time. Assessing skin turgor (choice B) is subjective and may not provide as accurate or measurable data as monitoring daily weights. Evaluating blood pressure trends (choice C) can give information about circulatory status but may not directly reflect fluid volume status. Checking urine specific gravity (choice D) can indicate the concentration of urine but does not provide a comprehensive assessment of overall fluid balance like monitoring daily weights does.

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