Nursing Elites

1. What should a healthcare professional prioritize when managing a client with delirium?

• A. Administering sedative medication
• B. Providing a low-stimulation environment
• C. Identifying the underlying cause of the delirium
• D. Controlling behavioral symptoms with medication

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When managing a client with delirium, the priority should be to identify the underlying cause of the delirium. Delirium can result from various triggers such as infections, medication side effects, or metabolic imbalances. By determining the root cause, healthcare professionals can provide targeted treatment and improve outcomes. Administering sedative medication (Choice A) could exacerbate delirium as these drugs can worsen confusion. While providing a low-stimulation environment (Choice B) is beneficial, it is not as critical as identifying the cause. Controlling behavioral symptoms with medication (Choice D) should only be considered after identifying and addressing the underlying cause of delirium.

2. How should a healthcare professional manage a patient with diarrhea?

• A. Provide oral fluids and monitor stool consistency
• B. Administer antidiarrheal medications and monitor hydration
• C. Monitor for electrolyte imbalances and provide antibiotics
• D. Provide a low-fiber diet and monitor weight

Correct answer: A

Rationale: For a patient with diarrhea, the priority is to manage dehydration by providing oral fluids and monitoring stool consistency. Option B suggesting administering antidiarrheal medications is not recommended as it may prolong the infection by preventing the body from expelling the infectious agent. Option C is incorrect because antibiotics are not routinely indicated for diarrhea unless there is a specific bacterial infection. Option D is not the most appropriate initial intervention for managing diarrhea since a low-fiber diet may not provide adequate nutrition for the patient or help resolve the underlying cause of diarrhea.

3. When caring for a client with a wound infection, what is the most important nursing action?

• A. Change the dressing every 4 hours
• B. Perform a wound culture before administering antibiotics
• C. Cleanse the wound with alcohol-based solutions
• D. Apply a wet-to-dry dressing to the wound

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Performing a wound culture before administering antibiotics is crucial in identifying the specific infecting organism and choosing the most effective antibiotic treatment. Changing the dressing every 4 hours (choice A) may be too frequent and can disrupt the wound healing process. Cleansing the wound with alcohol-based solutions (choice C) can be too harsh and may delay healing. Applying a wet-to-dry dressing (choice D) can cause trauma to the wound bed and is not recommended for infected wounds.

4. A nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for surgery in the morning. The nurse learns that the client has decided not to have surgery even though they have already signed the informed consent form. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Ignore the client's decision and proceed
• B. Report the situation to the provider
• C. Ask the family to convince the client
• D. Reassess the need for surgery with the client

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to report the client's decision to the provider who obtained informed consent. This ensures that the provider is informed of the client's change in decision and can discuss the situation further with the client. Choice A is incorrect as ignoring the client's decision is not appropriate and goes against the principles of patient autonomy. Choice C is incorrect because involving the family in convincing the client can be coercive and may not respect the client's autonomy. Choice D is incorrect because the nurse should not re-sign the informed consent form without the client's consent and a discussion with the provider.

5. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient for potential deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?

• A. Assess for unilateral leg swelling
• B. Encourage early mobilization
• C. Check for calf tenderness
• D. Observe for redness and warmth

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To assess a patient for potential deep vein thrombosis (DVT), healthcare professionals should look for unilateral leg swelling. This is a classic sign of DVT. While encouraging early mobilization is generally beneficial for preventing DVT, it is not a method of assessment. Checking for calf tenderness is also relevant but not as specific as unilateral leg swelling. Observing for redness and warmth can be signs of inflammation but are not as specific to DVT as unilateral leg swelling.

Similar Questions