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. A client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed oxygen therapy at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula. What is the most important instruction the nurse should provide?

• A. Increase the oxygen flow rate if shortness of breath occurs
• B. Use oxygen only when experiencing shortness of breath
• C. Do not adjust the oxygen flow rate without consulting a healthcare provider
• D. Use a humidifier with the oxygen to prevent dry mucous membranes

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The most important instruction the nurse should provide to a client with COPD prescribed oxygen therapy is not to adjust the oxygen flow rate without consulting a healthcare provider. This is crucial because too much oxygen can suppress the client's respiratory drive, leading to further complications. Choice A is incorrect because increasing the oxygen flow rate without medical advice can be harmful. Choice B is incorrect as oxygen therapy should be used as prescribed, not just when symptoms occur. Choice D is incorrect as the priority is to ensure the correct oxygen flow rate rather than using a humidifier.

3. What skin care measure should the nurse implement for a client who underwent external radiation treatment the previous day?

• A. Cleanse the radiated area with water and pat the skin dry
• B. Lightly massage the radiated skin with a lanolin-based lotion
• C. Rinse the site with normal saline and cover with a sterile towel
• D. Use a soft washcloth to gently remove the skin markings

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct measure for skin care after external radiation treatment is to cleanse the radiated area with water and pat the skin dry. This gentle cleansing without harsh chemicals or friction helps protect the integrity of radiated skin, preventing irritation or further damage. Choice B is incorrect because massaging radiated skin can cause further irritation, which should be avoided. Choice C is incorrect as rinsing with normal saline and covering with a sterile towel may not be necessary and could potentially introduce infection due to excessive moisture. Choice D is incorrect as using a soft washcloth to remove skin markings can be too abrasive for radiated skin, risking damage and irritation.

4. When providing care for a client receiving palliative care for terminal cancer, what should the nurse prioritize?

• A. Pain management
• B. Arranging family visits
• C. Discussing advance directives
• D. Providing nutritional support

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When caring for a client receiving palliative care for terminal cancer, the nurse should prioritize pain management. Effective pain management is crucial in enhancing the quality of life for terminally ill patients. While arranging family visits and discussing advance directives are important aspects of care, pain management takes precedence in providing comfort and alleviating suffering. Nutritional support is essential but may be of lesser priority compared to pain management in this context.

5. The nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is experiencing shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing intervention?

• A. Administer bronchodilator therapy as prescribed
• B. Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises
• C. Position the client in a high-Fowler's position
• D. Increase the oxygen flow rate

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a client with COPD experiencing shortness of breath is to position the client in a high-Fowler's position. This position helps improve lung expansion and ease breathing in COPD patients. While administering bronchodilator therapy as prescribed (Choice A) is important, it is not the priority in this scenario. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises (Choice B) can be beneficial but do not take precedence over positioning for improved respiratory function. Increasing the oxygen flow rate (Choice D) can be considered after the initial positioning to relieve respiratory distress, making it a later intervention.

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