Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is monitoring a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of appendicitis. The client is scheduled for surgery for 2 hours. The client begins to complain of increases abdominal pain and begins to vomit. On assessment the nurse notes that the abdomen distended and bowel sounds are diminished. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

• A. Administer the prescribed pain medication.
• B. Notify the physician.
• C. Call and ask the operating room team to perform the surgery as soon as possible.
• D. Reposition the client and apply a heating pad on warm setting to the client’s abdomen.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Based on the signs and symptoms presented in the question, the nurse should suspect peritonitis and should notify the physician. Administering pain medication is not an appropriate intervention. Heat should never be applied to the abdomen of a client with suspected appendicitis. Scheduling surgical time is not within the scope of nursing practice, although the physician probably would perform the surgery earlier than the prescheduled time.

2. The client with a colostomy has an order for irrigation of the colostomy. The nurse uses which solution for the irrigation?

• A. Distilled water
• B. Tap water
• C. Sterile water
• D. Lactated Ringer’s

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct solution to use for the irrigation of a colostomy is warm tap water or saline solution. If tap water is not suitable for drinking, bottled water can be used. Distilled water, sterile water, and Lactated Ringer’s are not appropriate solutions for colostomy irrigation. Distilled water lacks essential minerals, sterile water may not provide adequate cleaning, and Lactated Ringer’s is not indicated for this procedure.

3. In a client with Crohn’s disease, which of the following symptoms should not be a direct result from antibiotic therapy?

• A. Decrease in bleeding
• B. Decrease in temperature
• C. Decrease in body weight
• D. Decrease in the number of stools

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Decrease in body weight is not a direct result of antibiotic therapy but may occur due to the underlying disease process.

4. A Penrose drain is in place on the first postoperative day following a cholecystectomy. Serosanguineous drainage is noted on the dressing covering the drain. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?

• A. Notify the physician.
• B. Change the dressing.
• C. Circle the amount on the dressing with a pen.
• D. Continue to monitor the drainage.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Serosanguineous drainage with a small amount of bile is expected from the Penrose drain for the first 24 hours. Drainage then decreases, and the drain is removed usually within 48 hours. The nurse does not need to notify the physician. A sterile dressing covers the site and should be changed to prevent infection and skin excoriation.

5. Which of the following symptoms is associated with ulcerative colitis?

• A. Dumping syndrome
• B. Rectal bleeding
• C. Soft stools
• D. Fistulas

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Rectal bleeding is a common symptom of ulcerative colitis due to the inflammation and ulceration of the colon lining.

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