Nursing Elites

1. What are the early signs of sepsis in a patient?

• A. Increased heart rate and fever
• B. Low blood pressure and confusion
• C. Elevated blood sugar and sweating
• D. Increased urine output and abdominal pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Increased heart rate and fever. These are early signs of sepsis and indicate a systemic infection. It is crucial to identify these signs promptly to initiate appropriate treatment. Choice B is incorrect because low blood pressure and confusion are more indicative of severe sepsis or septic shock rather than early signs. Choice C is incorrect as elevated blood sugar and sweating are not typical early signs of sepsis. Choice D is also incorrect as increased urine output and abdominal pain are not early signs of sepsis.

2. What is a key nursing action for a client with a wound infection?

• A. Change the dressing daily
• B. Perform a wound culture before applying antibiotics
• C. Cleanse the wound with alcohol-based solutions
• D. Apply a wet-to-dry dressing to the wound

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Performing a wound culture before applying antibiotics is crucial for determining the specific type of infection present and selecting the most effective antibiotic treatment. Changing the dressing daily (Choice A) is a routine wound care practice but may not address the root cause of the infection. Cleansing the wound with alcohol-based solutions (Choice C) can be too harsh and delay wound healing. Applying a wet-to-dry dressing (Choice D) is an outdated practice that can cause trauma to the wound bed and hinder the healing process.

3. What is the first step in managing a patient with a suspected pneumothorax?

• A. Insert a chest tube
• B. Monitor respiratory status
• C. Administer oxygen
• D. Call for assistance

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to insert a chest tube. In managing a patient with a suspected pneumothorax, the priority is to relieve the pressure from the pneumothorax by inserting a chest tube. Monitoring respiratory status (choice B) is important but comes after ensuring proper management of the pneumothorax. Administering oxygen (choice C) can help support oxygenation but does not address the underlying issue of pressure in the thoracic cavity. Calling for assistance (choice D) can be done concurrently with managing the pneumothorax, but the immediate intervention to address the pneumothorax itself is chest tube insertion.

4. A nurse is caring for a client with dementia who is at risk of falls. What is the most appropriate intervention?

• A. Use a bed exit alarm to notify staff of attempts to leave the bed
• B. Raise all four side rails for safety
• C. Encourage frequent ambulation with assistance
• D. Use restraints to prevent the client from getting out of bed

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most appropriate intervention for a client with dementia at risk of falls is to use a bed exit alarm to notify staff of attempts to leave the bed. This intervention allows for timely assistance and prevents falls. Raising all four side rails (Choice B) can lead to entrapment or agitate the client. Encouraging frequent ambulation with assistance (Choice C) may not be suitable for a client at high risk of falls. Using restraints (Choice D) should be avoided as they can increase agitation, risk of injury, and have ethical implications.

5. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a female client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Use sterile gloves
• B. Lubricate the catheter with water
• C. Insert the catheter using clean technique
• D. Open the catheterization kit away from the body

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter is to open the catheterization kit away from the body. This is crucial to maintain the sterility of the kit and the procedure. Using sterile gloves (Choice A) is important, but it is not specific to this step. Lubricating the catheter with water (Choice B) is incorrect as it should be lubricated with a water-soluble lubricant. Inserting the catheter using clean technique (Choice C) is incorrect as indwelling urinary catheter insertion requires sterile technique to prevent infections.

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