Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a client who is NPO (nothing by mouth) due to a small bowel obstruction. Which nursing intervention is most important?

• A. Monitor bowel sounds
• B. Provide frequent oral care
• C. Encourage ambulation
• D. Measure abdominal girth

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Providing frequent oral care is crucial when a client is NPO to ensure comfort and prevent drying of the oral mucosa. In this situation, the priority is maintaining oral hygiene to prevent complications such as oral mucosa breakdown. Monitoring bowel sounds may be important in assessing bowel activity, but it is not the priority when the client is NPO due to a small bowel obstruction. Encouraging ambulation can be beneficial for other conditions, but in this case, oral care takes precedence. Measuring abdominal girth is more relevant for assessing abdominal distention, which is not the priority when the client is NPO. Therefore, the most important nursing intervention is to provide frequent oral care.

2. The nurse is assessing a client with a suspected diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which clinical sign is most indicative of DVT?

• A. Redness and warmth over the affected area
• B. Decreased peripheral pulses
• C. Cyanosis of the toes
• D. Muscle cramps in the calf

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Redness and warmth over the affected area are classic signs of inflammation, which commonly occur in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) due to the obstruction of blood flow. These symptoms result from the body's inflammatory response to the blood clot. Choices B, C, and D are less indicative of DVT. Decreased peripheral pulses may occur in arterial insufficiency rather than DVT. Cyanosis of the toes indicates decreased oxygenation and is more characteristic of arterial issues. Muscle cramps in the calf are nonspecific and can be caused by various conditions, not solely DVT.

3. Prior to administering morphine sulfate (Morphine), the nurse takes the client's vital signs. Based on which finding should the nurse withhold administration of the medication until the charge nurse is notified?

• A. Temperature of 100.8°F
• B. A pulse rate of 150 beats per minute
• C. A respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute
• D. A blood pressure of 180/110

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because a low respiratory rate is a critical concern when administering opioids like morphine, as they can suppress breathing. A high pulse rate (choice B) and high blood pressure (choice D) are not immediate contraindications for administering morphine. A slightly elevated temperature (choice A) may not necessarily require withholding morphine.

4. The nurse is caring for a client with a tracheostomy who is on mechanical ventilation. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Suction the tracheostomy as needed
• B. Ensure the tracheostomy ties are secure
• C. Provide humidified oxygen
• D. Clean any exudate around the tracheostomy site

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a client with a tracheostomy on mechanical ventilation is to suction the tracheostomy as needed. Suctioning is essential to maintain a clear airway and prevent respiratory distress. While ensuring tracheostomy ties are secure (choice B) is important, it is not as urgent as airway maintenance. Providing humidified oxygen (choice C) is beneficial but does not address the immediate need for airway clearance. Cleaning exudate around the tracheostomy site (choice D) is important for hygiene but takes precedence over ensuring airway patency through suctioning.

5. Which membrane lines the abdominal cavity?

• A. Perineum
• B. Pericardium
• C. Pleura
• D. Peritoneum

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Peritoneum. The peritoneum is the membrane that lines the abdominal cavity, providing support to abdominal organs and serving as a conduit for their blood vessels. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. The perineum refers to the area between the anus and the external genitalia, the pericardium is the membrane enclosing the heart, and the pleura is the membrane surrounding the lungs.

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