Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare professional is preparing to administer potassium chloride intravenously to a client with hypokalemia. Which action is most important?

• A. Monitor the client's respiratory rate
• B. Check the client's urine output
• C. Administer the potassium chloride as a rapid IV push
• D. Dilute the potassium chloride in an appropriate IV solution

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to dilute the potassium chloride in an appropriate IV solution. Potassium chloride should never be administered as a rapid IV push as it can lead to severe complications, including cardiac arrhythmias. Diluting the medication and administering it slowly helps reduce the risk of adverse effects. Monitoring the client's respiratory rate (Choice A) and checking urine output (Choice B) are important aspects of patient assessment but not the most crucial when administering potassium chloride. Administering potassium chloride as a rapid IV push (Choice C) is dangerous and can result in serious harm to the client.

2. When taking a history of a 3-year-old with neuroblastoma, what comment by the parents requires follow-up and is consistent with the diagnosis?

• A. The child has been listless and has lost weight.
• B. The urine is dark yellow and in small amounts.
• C. Clothes are becoming tighter across her abdomen.
• D. We notice muscle weakness and some unsteadiness.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Clothes becoming tighter across the abdomen is indicative of an abdominal mass, a common presentation in neuroblastoma. This symptom should be followed up on further as it aligns with the diagnosis. Choices A, B, and D are less specific to neuroblastoma. Weight loss and listlessness (Choice A) can be nonspecific symptoms, while dark yellow urine in small amounts (Choice B) may suggest dehydration or other conditions. Muscle weakness and unsteadiness (Choice D) could point towards various neurological or muscular issues but are not as directly related to neuroblastoma as the symptom described in Choice C.

3. The healthcare professional is evaluating the body alignment of a patient in the sitting position. Which observation will indicate a normal finding?

• A. The edge of the seat is making contact with the popliteal space.
• B. Both feet are supported on the floor with ankles flexed.
• C. The body weight is solely on the buttocks.
• D. The arms hang comfortably at the sides.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a normal sitting position, both feet should be supported on the floor with the ankles comfortably flexed. This position helps in maintaining stability and proper alignment. Choice A is incorrect because the edge of the seat pressing against the popliteal space may cause discomfort and is not indicative of proper alignment. Choice C is incorrect as the body weight should be evenly distributed for proper alignment and comfort, not solely on the buttocks. Choice D is incorrect as the position of the arms alone does not indicate proper body alignment in the sitting position; proper arm positioning is important for comfort but not a key indicator of body alignment.

4. When using an open irrigation technique for a client's catheter, what action should the nurse take?

• A. Subtract the amount of irrigant used from the client's urine output.
• B. Add the amount of irrigant used to the urine output measurement.
• C. Measure the amount of irrigant used separately from the urine output.
• D. Document the total amount of fluid used for irrigation only.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when using an open irrigation technique for a client's catheter is to subtract the amount of irrigant used from the client's urine output. This subtraction helps accurately assess the client's output by accounting for the volume of irrigant introduced. Choice B is incorrect because adding the irrigant to the urine output measurement would falsely inflate the total output, leading to inaccurate assessment. Choice C is incorrect as measuring the amount of irrigant separately does not provide an accurate assessment of the client's total output as it disregards the irrigant's contribution. Choice D is incorrect as documenting the total fluid used for irrigation only does not differentiate between the irrigant and the client's actual urine output, which is crucial for accurate monitoring and assessment.

5. A healthcare professional is preparing information for a change-of-shift report. Which of the following information should the healthcare professional include in the report?

• A. Input and output measurements for the shift
• B. Blood pressure readings from the previous day
• C. Bone scan scheduled for today
• D. Medication regimen from the medication administration record

Correct answer: D

Rationale: During a change-of-shift report, healthcare professionals should include the medication regimen from the medication administration record. This information ensures continuity of care and helps incoming staff understand the patient's medication needs and schedule. While input and output measurements, blood pressure readings, and scheduled procedures like a bone scan are important aspects of patient care, they may not be immediately relevant for the incoming shift. Focusing on medication details helps prevent errors and ensures the patient receives the correct medications at the right times.

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