what is the most important assessment for a patient post surgery
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ATI RN Exit Exam Quizlet

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

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 nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bradycardia. Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is a common finding in clients with hypothyroidism because of the decreased metabolic rate associated with this condition. Weight gain is also a common symptom of hypothyroidism due to the metabolic changes, making choice A incorrect. Tachycardia, or a rapid heart rate, is typically seen in hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism, so choice C is incorrect. Heat intolerance is more commonly associated with hyperthyroidism rather than hypothyroidism, making choice D incorrect.

3. What is a crucial nursing responsibility when caring for a patient with a central line?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When caring for a patient with a central line, monitoring for infection is a crucial nursing responsibility. This is essential to prevent complications such as bloodstream infections. While flushing the line with saline and monitoring fluid balance are important aspects of care, they are not as critical as monitoring for infection. Replacing the central line is only done when necessary due to complications or at the end of its recommended use.

4. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for captopril. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Captopril is known to cause a persistent, dry cough as a common side effect. Instructing the client about this potential side effect is crucial for their awareness. Choices A and B are incorrect because captopril is usually taken on an empty stomach. Choice C is incorrect because captopril can lead to hyperkalemia, so potassium supplements may be necessary in some cases.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who has a urinary tract infection and is receiving ciprofloxacin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Photosensitivity. Ciprofloxacin can cause photosensitivity, making the client more sensitive to sunlight. It is essential for the nurse to report this finding to the provider so that appropriate measures can be taken to prevent skin damage. Dry mouth, headache, and urinary retention are not typically associated with ciprofloxacin use and do not require immediate reporting to the provider in this scenario.

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A client who has a positive stool culture for Clostridium difficile should be placed in which type of room for infection control purposes?
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