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. You promote hemodynamic stability in a patient with upper GI bleeding by:

• A. Encouraging oral fluid intake.
• B. Monitoring central venous pressure.
• C. Monitoring laboratory test results and vital signs.
• D. Giving blood, electrolyte and fluid replacement.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Promoting hemodynamic stability in a patient with upper GI bleeding involves giving blood, electrolyte, and fluid replacement.

3. Which of the following laboratory results would be expected in a client with peritonitis?

• A. Partial thromboplastin time above 100 seconds
• B. Hemoglobin level below 10 mg/dL
• C. Potassium level above 5.5 mEq/L
• D. White blood cell count above 15,000

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A white blood cell count above 15,000 is indicative of an infection, such as peritonitis.

4. The nurse instructs the nursing assistant on how to provide oral hygiene for a client who cannot perform this task for himself. Which of the following techniques should the nurse tell the assistant to incorporate into the client’s daily care?

• A. Assess the oral cavity each time mouth care is given and record observations
• B. Use a soft toothbrush to brush the client’s teeth after each meal
• C. Swab the client’s tongue, gums, and lips with a soft foam applicator every 2 hours.
• D. Rinse the client’s mouth with mouthwash several times a day.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Swabbing the client’s tongue, gums, and lips with a soft foam applicator every 2 hours helps maintain oral hygiene for a client who cannot perform this task.

5. When a client has peptic ulcer disease, the nurse would expect a priority intervention to be:

• A. Assisting in inserting a Miller-Abbott tube
• B. Assisting in inserting an arterial pressure line
• C. Inserting a nasogastric tube
• D. Inserting an I.V.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Inserting a nasogastric tube is a priority intervention for a client with peptic ulcer disease to decompress the stomach.

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