Nursing Elites

1. What is the most important assessment for a patient post-surgery?

• A. Monitor vital signs
• B. Check surgical site for bleeding
• C. Check for abnormal breath sounds
• D. Check skin color

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor vital signs post-surgery. Vital signs provide crucial information about a patient's physiological status, helping detect early signs of complications such as shock, bleeding, or infection. Checking the surgical site for bleeding is important but falls secondary to monitoring vital signs, which give a broader overview of the patient's condition. Checking for abnormal breath sounds and skin color are also important assessments, but they are not as immediate and general as monitoring vital signs in detecting various post-surgical complications.

2. A client at 14 weeks gestation reports feelings of ambivalence about being pregnant. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

• A. Describe your feelings to me about being pregnant.
• B. You should discuss your feelings with your provider.
• C. Have you discussed these feelings with your partner?
• D. When did you start having these feelings?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct response is to use open-ended questions that allow the client to explore and express their feelings. Choice A encourages the client to describe their feelings, fostering open communication and providing an opportunity for the client to express themselves freely. Choices B and C do not directly address the client's feelings and may not promote open communication. Choice D focuses on the timing of the feelings rather than exploring the feelings themselves, making it a less therapeutic response.

3. A client has a new prescription for levothyroxine, and a nurse is providing teaching. Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. ''I should take this medication with food to prevent nausea.''
• B. ''I should take this medication in the evening before bedtime.''
• C. ''I will need to take this medication for the rest of my life.''
• D. ''I should stop taking this medication if I develop a rash.''

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Levothyroxine is a lifelong medication for clients with hypothyroidism, and it should be taken as prescribed. Choice A is incorrect because levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach. Choice B is incorrect because levothyroxine is usually taken in the morning on an empty stomach. Choice D is incorrect because stopping the medication abruptly can have adverse effects on thyroid function.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who is 1 day postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
• B. Pink-tinged urine
• C. Small blood clots in the urine
• D. Blood pressure of 114/78 mm Hg

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The presence of small blood clots in the urine is an expected finding after a TURP due to the surgical manipulation of the prostate bed and the bladder. However, larger clots can indicate excessive bleeding and should be reported promptly. Urine output of 30 mL/hr is within the expected range for post-TURP clients, indicating adequate kidney perfusion. Pink-tinged urine is also normal after a TURP due to minor bleeding from the surgical site. A blood pressure of 114/78 mm Hg is within normal limits and does not require immediate reporting.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse expect to be elevated?

• A. Serum albumin.
• B. Ammonia.
• C. Bilirubin.
• D. Prothrombin time.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Ammonia. In clients with cirrhosis, impaired liver function can lead to elevated levels of ammonia in the blood. Elevated ammonia levels can result in hepatic encephalopathy, a condition characterized by altered mental status. Serum albumin (Choice A) is typically decreased in cirrhosis due to the liver's reduced synthetic function. Bilirubin (Choice C) levels can be elevated in liver disease but may not always be the most specific marker for cirrhosis. Prothrombin time (Choice D) is prolonged in cirrhosis due to impaired liver synthesis of clotting factors.

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