Nursing Elites

1. What action should be taken to maintain the patency of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)?

• A. Flush the catheter with heparin solution daily.
• B. Change the dressing at the insertion site daily.
• C. Use sterile technique when changing the dressing.
• D. Keep the insertion site dry at all times.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to use sterile technique when changing the dressing. This practice is essential for preventing infections that can compromise the patency of the PICC line. While flushing the catheter with heparin solution helps prevent clot formation, it does not directly maintain patency. Changing the dressing daily is important for hygiene but does not have a direct impact on catheter patency. Keeping the insertion site dry is crucial to prevent infections but does not specifically address patency maintenance.

2. A client is recovering from gallbladder surgery performed under general anesthesia. How many times per hour should the nurse encourage the client to use the incentive spirometer?

• A. 4-5 times per hour
• B. 2-3 times per hour
• C. 6-7 times per hour
• D. 8-10 times per hour

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging the client to use the incentive spirometer 4-5 times per hour is the correct approach post-gallbladder surgery under general anesthesia. This frequency helps prevent respiratory complications, such as atelectasis, by promoting lung expansion. Choices B, C, and D suggest either too few or too many sessions per hour, which may not be optimal for the client's respiratory recovery needs. It is important to strike a balance between ensuring adequate lung expansion and not overexerting the client, which is why 4-5 times per hour is the recommended frequency.

3. A healthcare professional is assessing postoperative circulation of the lower extremities for a client who had knee surgery. The healthcare professional should test which of the following?

• A. Range of motion
• B. Skin color
• C. Edema
• D. Skin temperature

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Assessing skin color is crucial to evaluate perfusion and circulation postoperatively. Skin color changes can indicate compromised circulation, such as pallor or cyanosis. Edema may suggest fluid retention but is not a direct indicator of circulation status. Range of motion is more related to joint function and mobility, not specifically circulation.

4. What action should the nurse include in the plan of care for a postoperative client with a history of poor nutritional intake who needs care for wound healing?

• A. Provide a protein intake of 1.5 g/kg of body weight per day.
• B. Increase carbohydrate intake to 50% of daily calories.
• C. Administer high-dose vitamin supplements.
• D. Ensure a daily intake of 1000 calories.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To promote wound healing in a postoperative client with poor nutritional intake, the nurse should include a protein intake of 1.5 g/kg of body weight per day in the plan of care. Proteins are essential for tissue repair and wound healing. Increasing carbohydrate intake or administering high-dose vitamin supplements may not directly promote wound healing. Ensuring a daily intake of 1000 calories may not provide adequate nutrients for optimal wound healing.

5. A client with a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is being taught how to administer insulin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Administer the insulin in the same body area each time.
• B. Store the insulin according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• C. Rotate injection sites within the same body area.
• D. Inject the insulin at a 45-degree angle.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction the nurse should include is to rotate injection sites within the same body area. This practice helps prevent lipodystrophy, a condition characterized by the thickening or thinning of subcutaneous fat at the injection sites, which can affect insulin absorption. Choice A is incorrect because administering insulin in the same area each time can lead to lipodystrophy. Choice B is incorrect as insulin should be stored according to the manufacturer's instructions, which may include refrigeration. Choice D is incorrect because the angle of insulin injection (usually 90 degrees) is determined by the length of the needle and the amount of subcutaneous fat, not a fixed 45-degree angle.

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