Nursing Elites

1. What are the key nursing interventions for a patient with a tracheostomy?

• A. Maintain a patent airway and monitor for infection
• B. Suction airway secretions and provide humidified oxygen
• C. Educate patient on self-care and tracheostomy cleaning
• D. Change tracheostomy ties daily

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to maintain a patent airway and monitor for infection. These are crucial nursing interventions for patients with tracheostomies to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent complications. Suctioning airway secretions and providing humidified oxygen can be part of the care plan but are not as essential as maintaining a patent airway. Educating the patient on self-care and tracheostomy cleaning is important for long-term management but is not as immediate as ensuring a patent airway and monitoring for infection. Changing tracheostomy ties daily is a specific task related to tracheostomy care but is not as critical as ensuring the airway is clear and infection-free.

2. A client has developed phlebitis at the IV site. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Apply a warm compress to the IV site
• B. Discontinue the IV and notify the provider
• C. Monitor the IV site for signs of infection
• D. Administer an anti-inflammatory medication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client develops phlebitis at the IV site, the priority action for the nurse is to discontinue the IV and notify the provider. Phlebitis is inflammation of the vein, and removing the IV can help prevent further complications. Applying a warm compress may provide symptomatic relief but does not address the root cause. Monitoring for infection is important, but immediate action to remove the source of inflammation is crucial. Administering an anti-inflammatory medication is not the first-line intervention for phlebitis; removal of the IV is necessary.

3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is to start taking digoxin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I should take this medication with food.
• B. I will contact my provider if my heart rate is below 60 beats per minute.
• C. I should take an antacid with this medication to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
• D. I will need to take this medication for 14 days.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The client should contact their provider if their heart rate drops below 60 beats per minute, as this could indicate digoxin toxicity.

4. 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.

5. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is taking furosemide. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
• B. Sodium level of 135 mEq/L
• C. Magnesium level of 1.6 mEq/L
• D. Calcium level of 8.5 mg/dL

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A magnesium level of 1.6 mEq/L is within the normal range, but monitoring potassium levels is crucial for clients taking furosemide. Furosemide can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels), which can lead to adverse effects such as cardiac dysrhythmias. Sodium and calcium levels are not typically affected by furosemide, so they are not the priority findings to report to the provider in this case.

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