Nursing Elites

1. What is the most important action for the nurse to take before administering digoxin to a patient?

• A. Check the patient's heart rate before administration.
• B. Assess the patient's blood pressure before administration.
• C. Ensure the patient has eaten before administration.
• D. Monitor the patient's weight before administration.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to check the patient's heart rate before administering digoxin. Digoxin is a medication that primarily affects cardiac function. Monitoring the heart rate is crucial because digoxin can cause arrhythmias or worsen existing heart rhythm abnormalities. Assessing blood pressure may also be important but is secondary to evaluating the heart rate when administering digoxin. Ensuring the patient has eaten before administration is not directly related to the safe administration of digoxin. Monitoring the patient's weight is not a priority action before administering digoxin.

2. A healthcare provider is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a new prescription for cimetidine. Which of the following laboratory findings should the healthcare provider identify as the priority to report to the provider?

• A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
• B. WBC count 9,000/mm3
• C. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 50 units/L
• D. Fasting glucose 105 mg/dL

Correct answer: C

Rationale: An elevated AST level is indicative of liver damage, which is the priority finding to report to the provider when administering cimetidine. Elevated liver enzymes can be a sign of liver toxicity or damage. Monitoring liver function is crucial when using cimetidine, as it can sometimes lead to hepatotoxicity. The other laboratory findings are within normal ranges and not directly associated with cimetidine administration.

3. What is the most important nursing intervention when caring for a patient with a wound?

• A. Apply an occlusive dressing over the wound.
• B. Clean the wound with normal saline.
• C. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
• D. Reassess the wound every 4 hours for changes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important nursing intervention when caring for a patient with a wound is to clean the wound with normal saline. This is crucial for preventing infection and promoting healing. Applying an occlusive dressing (Choice A) can be important but should come after cleaning the wound. Administering antibiotics (Choice C) is not the first-line intervention for all wounds and should be based on the healthcare provider's prescription. Reassessing the wound (Choice D) is essential but not the most important initial intervention.

4. A client with a history of falls is under the care of a nurse. Which intervention is most important to implement?

• A. Increase the frequency of bed checks.
• B. Use bed alarms to prevent falls.
• C. Keep the room well lit during the day.
• D. Encourage the client to use a walker for mobility.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Using bed alarms to prevent falls is the most important intervention to implement for a client with a history of falls. Bed alarms can provide timely alerts to the healthcare team, allowing for quick assistance to prevent falls. Increasing the frequency of bed checks may not necessarily prevent falls as effectively as direct intervention with bed alarms. Keeping the room well lit is important for general safety but may not address the immediate risk of falls. Encouraging the client to use a walker for mobility is beneficial but may not be as crucial as implementing bed alarms to prevent falls in this scenario.

5. A patient reflects a correct understanding about the relationship between the gate control theory of pain and the use of meditation to relieve pain?

• A. Meditation alters the chemical composition of pain neuroregulators, which closes the gate.
• B. Meditation stops the occurrence of pain stimuli.
• C. Meditation controls pain by blocking pain impulses from coming through the gate.
• D. Meditation will help me sleep through the pain because it opens the gate.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. According to the gate control theory, meditation helps relieve pain by blocking pain impulses from coming through the gate in the central nervous system. Choice A is incorrect as meditation does not directly alter the chemical composition of pain neuroregulators. Choice B is incorrect because meditation does not stop the occurrence of pain stimuli. Choice D is incorrect as meditation does not open the gate but rather closes it to block pain impulses.

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