Nursing Elites

1. What is the nurse's role in preoperative patient care?

• A. Provide patient education and ensure NPO status
• B. Ensure that informed consent is obtained
• C. Obtain the patient's health history
• D. Confirm the patient's surgical site

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse plays a crucial role in preoperative patient care by providing education and ensuring NPO (nothing by mouth) status. This helps prepare the patient for surgery by ensuring they understand the procedure, what to expect, and also by following necessary preoperative fasting guidelines. While obtaining the patient's health history (choice C) is important for overall patient assessment, it is typically done during the preoperative assessment but does not specifically pertain to the nurse's role. Ensuring informed consent (choice B) is primarily the responsibility of the healthcare provider performing the procedure. Confirming the patient's surgical site (choice D) is usually the responsibility of the surgical team and is done immediately before the surgery to prevent errors.

2. A nurse is caring for a client post-op with a chest tube. What should the nurse check for regularly?

• A. Ensure the chest tube is periodically clamped
• B. Check for air leaks in the tubing
• C. Keep the client in a prone position for chest drainage
• D. Administer diuretics to prevent fluid buildup

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to check for air leaks in the tubing. Air leaks can compromise the function of the chest tube, leading to inadequate drainage and potentially causing complications for the client. Clamping the chest tube periodically is incorrect as it could lead to a buildup of fluid or air in the pleural space. Keeping the client in a prone position is not necessary for chest drainage, as the positioning may vary depending on the specific situation. Administering diuretics may not be directly related to monitoring the chest tube for proper function and is not a routine intervention for chest tube management post-op.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who delivered a full-term newborn 16 hours ago. The nurse notes excessive lochia discharge. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer pain medication
• B. Perform a fundal massage
• C. Check the baby's heart rate
• D. Apply an ice pack

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Performing a fundal massage is the priority action in a postpartum client experiencing excessive lochia discharge. Fundal massage helps prevent postpartum hemorrhage by ensuring the uterus contracts effectively. Administering pain medication, checking the baby's heart rate, and applying an ice pack are not the initial interventions needed to address excessive lochia discharge.

4. A client takes prednisone daily for the treatment of chronic asthma. The nurse should plan to monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Hypertension
• C. Gastric ulcer formation
• D. Diarrhea

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Gastric ulcer formation. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, increases the risk of gastric ulcer formation, especially with long-term use. While prednisone can also lead to hyperglycemia (choice A) and hypertension (choice B) as adverse effects, monitoring for gastric ulcer formation is a priority due to its association with corticosteroid therapy. Diarrhea (choice D) is not a common adverse effect of prednisone and is less likely compared to gastric ulcers.

5. What are the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolism?

• A. Sudden shortness of breath
• B. Chest pain
• C. Cough with blood
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A pulmonary embolism can manifest with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing up blood. These symptoms are classic presentations of a pulmonary embolism due to the blockage of blood flow to the lungs. Therefore, the correct answer is 'All of the above.' Each symptom alone can be seen in various other conditions, but when occurring together, they strongly suggest a pulmonary embolism. Sudden shortness of breath is due to decreased oxygenation, chest pain can result from the strain on the heart, and coughing with blood may indicate damage to the lung tissue. Choosing any single symptom would not encompass the full range of presentations seen in a pulmonary embolism.

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