Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is preparing to administer an antibiotic to a patient who has been receiving the antibiotic for 2 days after a culture was obtained. The nurse notes increased erythema and swelling, and the patient has a persistent high fever of 39°C. What is the nurse’s next action?

• A. Administer the antibiotic as ordered.
• B. Contact the provider to request another culture.
• C. Discuss the need to add a second antibiotic with the provider.
• D. Review the sensitivity results from the patient’s culture.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In this scenario, the nurse is observing signs of a possible lack of response to the current antibiotic therapy, such as increased erythema, swelling, and persistent high fever. The next appropriate action for the nurse is to review the sensitivity results from the patient’s culture. This step is crucial to determine if the current antibiotic is effective against the causative organism. If the sensitivity results indicate resistance to the current antibiotic, the antibiotic should be discontinued, and the provider should be notified for a change in therapy. Contacting the provider to request another culture is not the immediate priority, as the existing culture results need to be reviewed first. Adding a second antibiotic should only be considered after confirming the sensitivity results, as unnecessary antibiotic use can lead to antimicrobial resistance.

2. A nurse reviews a client’s urinalysis report. Which finding does the nurse recognize as abnormal?

• A. pH of 6.0
• B. An absence of protein
• C. The presence of ketones
• D. Specific gravity of 1.018

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. The presence of ketones in the urine is abnormal. Ketones in the urine may indicate a state of ketosis, which is commonly seen in uncontrolled diabetes, fasting, or a low-carbohydrate diet. A normal pH range of urine is 4.5 to 7.8, making a pH of 6.0 within the normal range. An absence of protein is a normal finding in urine, as proteinuria (presence of protein) is abnormal. A specific gravity of 1.018 falls within the normal range of 1.016 to 1.022. Therefore, the presence of ketones is the abnormal finding in this scenario.

3. The client is scheduled to begin continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Which of the following statements by the client indicates that more teaching is required?

• A. I will need to limit my intake of protein.
• B. I can skip a dialysis session if I feel tired.
• C. I should increase my intake of potassium-rich foods.
• D. I can eat whatever I want, as long as I take my medications.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Skipping a dialysis session can lead to serious complications as it disrupts the treatment schedule and can result in the accumulation of waste products and fluid in the body. The client must understand the importance of adhering to the prescribed dialysis regimen to maintain optimal health. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because limiting protein intake, increasing potassium-rich foods, and taking medications do not pose the same risk as skipping dialysis sessions. These aspects are important in the management of peritoneal dialysis but do not outweigh the critical need for regular dialysis sessions to prevent complications.

4. An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) reports to the nurse that a client with a postoperative wound infection has a temperature of 103°F (39.4°C), blood pressure of 90/70, pulse of 124 beats/minute, and respirations of 28 breaths/minute. When assessing the client, findings include mottled skin appearance and confusion. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Transfer the client to the ICU.
• B. Initiate an infusion of intravenous (IV) fluids.
• C. Assess the client's core temperature.
• D. Obtain a wound specimen for culture.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Initiating an infusion of IV fluids is the priority action to stabilize blood pressure in a client with signs of sepsis. Intravenous fluids help maintain perfusion to vital organs and prevent further deterioration. Option A is not the immediate priority as stabilizing the client's condition can be initiated in the current setting. Option C, assessing the client's core temperature, is important but not the most critical action at this time. Option D, obtaining a wound specimen for culture, is important for identifying the causative organism but is not the first priority in managing a client with signs of sepsis.

5. A nurse obtains a sterile urine specimen from a client’s Foley catheter. After applying a clamp to the drainage tubing distal to the injection port, which action should the nurse take next?

• A. Clamp another section of the tube to create a fixed sample section for retrieval.
• B. Insert a syringe into the injection port and aspirate the quantity of urine required.
• C. Clean the injection port cap of the drainage tubing with a povidone-iodine solution.
• D. Withdraw 10 mL of urine and discard it; then withdraw a fresh sample of urine.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct next action for the nurse to take after applying a clamp to the drainage tubing distal to the injection port is to clean the injection port cap of the catheter drainage tubing with an appropriate antiseptic like povidone-iodine solution or alcohol. This step is crucial to prevent surface contamination before taking the urine sample. Clamping another section of the tube to create a fixed sample section or withdrawing and discarding urine are unnecessary and could lead to potential contamination. Inserting a syringe into the injection port and aspirating the required amount of urine directly from the catheter is the correct method for obtaining the urine sample, but cleaning the injection port cap should precede this step to ensure sterility.

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