Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a client who underwent a total knee replacement yesterday. What activity level should the nurse encourage today?

• A. Bed rest with bathroom privileges only
• B. Frequent, short walks with assistance
• C. Range of motion exercises to the knee every four hours
• D. Leg elevation to reduce swelling

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After a total knee replacement, early ambulation is crucial for promoting circulation and preventing complications like thrombosis. Bed rest should be avoided as it can increase the risk of complications. Range of motion exercises are important but should be performed gradually and not excessively. Leg elevation is beneficial for reducing swelling but should not be the primary activity level encouraged immediately after surgery.

2. A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. What is the most critical treatment to initiate?

• A. Administer sodium bicarbonate IV
• B. Start an insulin drip
• C. Monitor glucose and ketone levels
• D. Provide oral hydration

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In the case of diabetic ketoacidosis, the most critical treatment to initiate is starting an insulin drip. Insulin therapy is crucial for reducing blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake in cells and inhibiting the production of ketones. Administering sodium bicarbonate IV is generally not recommended as it may lower the pH further and potentially worsen the condition. While monitoring glucose and ketone levels is important for assessing the response to treatment, initiating insulin therapy takes precedence. Providing oral hydration alone is insufficient to manage the metabolic derangements seen in diabetic ketoacidosis.

3. The nurse plans to evaluate the effectiveness of several drugs administered by different routes. Arrange the routes of administration from fastest to slowest rate of absorption. 1. Intravenous 2. Sublingual 3. Intramuscular 4. Subcutaneous

• A. 1,2,3,4
• B. 4,3,2,1
• C. 2,4,3,1
• D. 3,4,1,2

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct order of routes of administration from fastest to slowest rate of absorption is 1. Intravenous, 2. Sublingual, 3. Intramuscular, 4. Subcutaneous. Intravenous administration provides the fastest absorption as the drug is directly injected into the bloodstream. Sublingual administration allows for rapid absorption through the mucous membranes under the tongue. Intramuscular administration has a slower absorption rate as the drug is injected into the muscle tissue. Subcutaneous administration is the slowest as the drug is injected into the fatty tissue under the skin, leading to a slower absorption compared to the other routes.

4. A client with a diagnosis of chronic heart failure is receiving digoxin. What is the most important instruction the nurse should provide?

• A. Take the medication with a high-fiber meal
• B. Monitor pulse rate daily before taking the medication
• C. Avoid dairy products while on this medication
• D. Discontinue the medication if blurred vision is experienced

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important instruction the nurse should provide is to monitor pulse rate daily before taking the medication. Digoxin can lead to bradycardia, so it is crucial to assess the pulse rate before administering the medication. This practice helps ensure that the heart rate is not too low for the safe use of digoxin. Choice A is incorrect as there is no specific requirement to take digoxin with a high-fiber meal. Choice C is also incorrect because there is no need to avoid dairy products while on digoxin. Choice D is incorrect since blurred vision is not a common side effect of digoxin; hence, it is not the most critical instruction to provide.

5. The healthcare provider is assessing a client with a suspected diagnosis of appendicitis. Which symptom is most indicative of this condition?

• A. Right upper quadrant pain
• B. Nausea and vomiting
• C. Rebound tenderness at McBurney's point
• D. Hematuria

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Rebound tenderness at McBurney's point is a classic sign of appendicitis. This symptom is due to irritation of the peritoneum when pressure is released during palpation. Right upper quadrant pain (Choice A) is more commonly associated with gallbladder issues. Nausea and vomiting (Choice B) can occur in various abdominal conditions and are not specific to appendicitis. Hematuria (Choice D) is the presence of blood in the urine and is not a typical symptom of appendicitis.

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