Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary nursing concern when caring for patients being treated with splints, casts, or traction?

• A. To assess for and prevent neurovascular complications or dysfunction
• B. To ensure adequate nutrition during the healing process
• C. To provide patient education for maintenance of splints, casts, or traction in the community
• D. To treat acute pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The primary nursing concern when caring for patients with splints, casts, or traction is to assess for and prevent neurovascular complications or dysfunction. This is crucial to ensure adequate circulation and nerve function, preventing long-term complications such as ischemia or nerve damage. While adequate nutrition and patient education are important aspects of care, they are not the primary concern in this scenario. Acute pain management is important but is secondary to preventing neurovascular complications in patients treated with splints, casts, or traction.

2. The nurse notes that a patient has incisional pain, a poor cough effort, and scattered rhonchi after a thoracotomy. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Assist the patient to sit upright in a chair.
• B. Splint the patient's chest during coughing.
• C. Medicate the patient with prescribed morphine.
• D. Observe the patient use the incentive spirometer.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is to medicate the patient with prescribed morphine. A major reason for atelectasis and poor airway clearance in patients after chest surgery is incisional pain, which can worsen with deep breathing and coughing. The priority is to address the incisional pain to facilitate effective coughing and deep breathing, which are essential for clearing the airways and preventing complications. Assisting the patient to sit upright, splinting the patient's chest during coughing, and observing the patient using the incentive spirometer are all appropriate interventions to improve airway clearance, but they should be implemented after addressing the incisional pain with medication.

3. A couple asks the nurse about risks of several birth control methods. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?

• A. Norplant is safe and can be easily removed.
• B. Oral contraceptives should not be used by smokers.
• C. Depo-Provera is convenient with few side effects.
• D. The IUD provides protection against pregnancy and infection.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is that oral contraceptives should not be used by smokers. The use of oral contraceptives in a woman who smokes increases the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as thromboembolic disorders. This is due to the combined effect of smoking and hormonal contraceptives. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they do not address the specific risk associated with smoking and oral contraceptives. Norplant's safety and ease of removal, Depo-Provera's convenience with few side effects, and the IUD's protection against pregnancy and infection are important points but not directly related to the increased risks for smokers using oral contraceptives.

4. The parents of a 2-year-old child who had an orchiopexy to correct cryptorchidism are provided with discharge instructions by the nurse. Which statement by the parents indicates the need for further instruction?

• A. I'll check his temperature.
• B. I'll give him medication so he'll be comfortable.
• C. I'll check his voiding to be sure there's no problem.
• D. I'll let him decide when to return to his play activities.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Cryptorchidism is a condition where one or both testes fail to descend into the scrotal sac. Orchiopexy, a surgical correction, may be required. After surgery, it is crucial to restrict vigorous activities for 2 weeks to promote healing and prevent injury. Allowing the child to decide when to return to play activities may lead to delayed healing and increased risk of injury, as 2-year-olds typically want to be active. Checking the child's temperature, administering analgesics as needed, and monitoring urine output are important postoperative care measures to ensure recovery and detect complications early. Therefore, the statement indicating the need for further instruction is the one related to letting the child decide when to resume play activities.

5. A 65-year-old man is prescribed Flomax (Tamsulosin) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The patient lives in an upstairs apartment. The nurse is most concerned about which side effect of Flomax?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Back Pain
• D. Difficulty Urinating

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Hypotension.' Flomax (Tamsulosin) is known to cause orthostatic hypotension, especially in the elderly, leading to a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up. This side effect can result in dizziness, falls, and injury, especially concerning for a patient living in an upstairs apartment. Tachycardia (increased heart rate) and back pain are less commonly associated with Flomax use, while difficulty urinating is a symptom that Flomax is intended to improve in patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

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