what is the priority nursing action for a patient with respiratory distress
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Exit Exam RN

1. What is the priority nursing action for a patient with respiratory distress?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The priority nursing action for a patient with respiratory distress is to administer oxygen. Oxygen therapy is crucial in improving oxygenation levels and relieving respiratory distress, making it the top priority intervention. Repositioning the patient, administering bronchodilators, or providing chest physiotherapy may be necessary interventions depending on the underlying cause, but ensuring adequate oxygen supply should take precedence in addressing respiratory distress.

2. A client who is postoperative following hip replacement surgery. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the hip?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Placing a pillow between the client's legs when turning is essential to prevent hip dislocation post hip replacement surgery. This action helps maintain proper alignment of the hip joint and prevents adduction, which can lead to dislocation. Positioning the client's legs in adduction (choice A) can increase the risk of hip dislocation. Keeping the client in a low Fowler's position (choice C) or turning the client onto the affected side (choice D) does not directly address hip dislocation prevention.

3. A client with cancer is about to receive low-dose brachytherapy via a vaginal implant. What intervention should be included in the care plan?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention that should be included in the care plan for a client about to receive low-dose brachytherapy via a vaginal implant is to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. This is crucial to prevent bladder distention during brachytherapy, ensuring the treatment's effectiveness and the client's comfort. Removing vaginal packing (Choice A) may not be necessary or appropriate in this situation. Ambulating the client four times daily (Choice C) is a good nursing intervention for general patient care but is not specifically related to brachytherapy via a vaginal implant. Keeping the client NPO until therapy is complete (Choice D) is not necessary unless specifically indicated due to the treatment's nature or the client's condition.

4. A client is being discharged with a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Take this medication at the same time every day.' It is crucial to take levothyroxine at the same time each day to maintain consistent thyroid hormone levels. Choice A is incorrect because levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, usually in the morning. Choice C is important but not specific to the administration of levothyroxine. Choice D is incorrect as antacids can interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine.

5. A nurse is assessing a client in active labor. The FHR baseline has been 100/min for 15 minutes. What condition should the nurse suspect?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In this scenario, with a fetal heart rate (FHR) baseline of 100/min for 15 minutes, the nurse should suspect maternal hypoglycemia. Maternal hypoglycemia can result in fetal bradycardia, which is defined as an FHR less than 110 beats per minute. Maternal hypoglycemia requires prompt intervention to prevent adverse outcomes for both the mother and the fetus. Maternal fever (Choice A) typically presents with tachycardia rather than bradycardia in the fetus. Fetal anemia (Choice B) is more likely to present with other signs such as pallor or tachycardia rather than bradycardia. Chorioamnionitis (Choice D) is characterized by maternal fever, uterine tenderness, and foul-smelling amniotic fluid, but it is not directly linked to the FHR baseline being 100/min.

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