Nursing Elites

1. What are the expected changes on an ECG for a patient with hypokalemia?

• A. Flattened T waves
• B. Prominent U waves
• C. ST elevation
• D. Wide QRS complexes

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Flattened T waves are an early sign of hypokalemia on an ECG. Hypokalemia primarily manifests as flattened T waves on an ECG. While prominent U waves can be seen in hypokalemia, they are not as specific as flattened T waves. ST elevation is more commonly associated with conditions like myocardial infarction rather than hypokalemia. Wide QRS complexes are typically not a feature of hypokalemia on an ECG.

2. If a nurse misread a glucose reading as 210 mg/dL instead of 120 mg/dL and administered insulin, what should the nurse monitor for?

• A. Monitor for hypoglycemia
• B. Monitor for hyperglycemia
• C. Administer glucose IV
• D. Document the incident

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor for hypoglycemia. In this scenario, the nurse administered insulin based on an incorrect glucose reading, which could lead to a drop in blood sugar levels. Monitoring for hypoglycemia is crucial to prevent any adverse effects on the patient's health. Choice B, monitoring for hyperglycemia, is incorrect as the administration of insulin can lead to low blood sugar levels, not high. Choice C, administering glucose IV, is not the immediate action needed as monitoring for hypoglycemia comes first. Choice D, documenting the incident, is important but not the initial priority when patient safety is at risk.

3. What is the first nursing action for a patient with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome?

• A. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
• B. Increase fluids to prevent dehydration
• C. Obtain cardiac enzymes
• D. Get IV access and auscultate heart sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering sublingual nitroglycerin is the priority nursing action for a patient with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome. Nitroglycerin helps dilate the blood vessels, improve blood flow to the heart, and reduce cardiac workload. This action aims to relieve chest pain promptly and prevent further cardiac tissue damage. Increasing fluids is not the initial priority for a patient with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome. Obtaining cardiac enzymes is important for diagnosis but is not the first action in managing acute symptoms. Getting IV access and auscultating heart sounds are important interventions, but they come after administering sublingual nitroglycerin in the management of acute coronary syndrome.

4. What intervention is needed when continuous bubbling is seen in the chest tube water seal chamber?

• A. Tighten the connections of the chest tube system
• B. Clamp the chest tube
• C. Replace the chest tube
• D. Continue monitoring the chest tube

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When continuous bubbling is observed in the chest tube water seal chamber, the appropriate intervention is to tighten the connections of the chest tube system. This action can help resolve an air leak, which is often the cause of continuous bubbling in the water seal chamber. Clamping the chest tube (choice B) is not recommended as it can lead to a dangerous increase in pressure within the chest. Replacing the chest tube (choice C) is not the initial intervention unless there are other indications to do so. Simply monitoring the chest tube (choice D) without taking corrective action will not address the underlying issue of the air leak causing continuous bubbling.

5. After a healthcare provider misreads a glucose level and administers insulin, what is the priority intervention?

• A. Monitor for hypoglycemia
• B. Administer glucose IV
• C. Document the incident
• D. Monitor for hyperglycemia

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor for hypoglycemia. Administering insulin based on a misread glucose level can lead to hypoglycemia. Monitoring for hypoglycemia is crucial as it is a potential adverse effect of the insulin administration. Administering glucose IV (Choice B) is not the priority as there is no indication of hypoglycemia yet. Documenting the incident (Choice C) is important but not the immediate priority over patient safety. Monitoring for hyperglycemia (Choice D) is not the priority after administering insulin in response to a misread glucose level.

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