Nursing Elites

1. When administering an analgesic to a client with low back pain, which intervention should the practical nurse implement to promote the effectiveness of the medication?

• A. Massage the lower back and position the client in proper alignment
• B. Encourage the client to ambulate frequently and take deep breaths
• C. Assist the client in performing passive and active range of motion exercises
• D. Give medication with a full glass of water and offer high-fiber foods

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Massaging the lower back and positioning the client in proper alignment can help relieve muscle tension and enhance the effectiveness of analgesics by providing additional comfort and promoting better pain management. This intervention directly addresses the site of pain and can improve the medication's efficacy. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because while they may have benefits in other situations, they are not directly related to promoting the effectiveness of analgesics in clients with low back pain. Encouraging ambulation and deep breathing, assisting with range of motion exercises, and offering water and high-fiber foods are important for overall patient care but are not specific to enhancing analgesic effectiveness in this context.

2. You have a patient who has just had a diagnostic arthroscopy. You are instructing him about what to do when he gets home. Which of the following would you NOT instruct him to do?

• A. Resume normal activities within 12 hours so as to help reduce the swelling
• B. Elevate the extremity for 24 – 48 hours
• C. Apply ice to the area involved intermittently
• D. Report severe pain to the physician immediately

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Patients should rest and avoid normal activities for a short period after arthroscopy to allow healing and prevent swelling, which could worsen with early activity. Elevation and icing are recommended post-procedure to reduce swelling and pain. Instructing the patient to resume normal activities within 12 hours could lead to increased swelling and delayed healing. Reporting severe pain is crucial as it could indicate a complication. Therefore, the correct instruction is not to resume normal activities immediately after arthroscopy.

3. The nurse is assisting the recreational director of a long-term care facility in planning outdoor activities for the wheelchair-bound older residents who are mentally alert. Which activity meets the physical and social needs of these residents?

• A. An open-air concert
• B. A tea party in the courtyard
• C. A team ring-toss competition
• D. A picnic in the park

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A tea party in the courtyard provides a social and physical activity suitable for wheelchair-bound older residents who are mentally alert. It offers an opportunity for social interaction, enjoyment of the outdoors, and participation in a physical activity without the need for extensive mobility. An open-air concert may not provide the same level of social interaction or physical engagement as a tea party. A team ring-toss competition may be physically challenging for wheelchair-bound residents. A picnic in the park could present challenges related to accessibility and might not foster the same level of social interaction as a tea party in a more contained courtyard setting.

4. Which of the following is an appropriate intervention for a patient experiencing a hypertensive crisis?

• A. Placing the patient in a supine position
• B. Administering a beta-blocker intravenously
• C. Encouraging the patient to drink fluids
• D. Applying a cold compress to the forehead

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering a beta-blocker intravenously is the correct intervention for a patient experiencing a hypertensive crisis. Beta-blockers help quickly reduce blood pressure and prevent complications such as stroke or heart attack. Placing the patient in a supine position can worsen the condition by reducing venous return and increasing the workload of the heart. Encouraging the patient to drink fluids is not recommended as it can exacerbate hypertension by increasing fluid volume. Applying a cold compress to the forehead does not address the underlying cause of the hypertensive crisis and is unlikely to provide significant benefit.

5. An adult client is undergoing weekly external radiation treatments for breast cancer and reports increasing fatigue. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Notify the healthcare provider or charge nurse immediately
• B. Offer to reschedule the treatment for the following week
• C. Plan to monitor the client's vital signs every 30 minutes
• D. Reinforce the need for extra rest periods and plenty of sleep

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when a client undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer reports increasing fatigue is to reinforce the need for extra rest periods and plenty of sleep. Fatigue is a common side effect of radiation therapy, and adequate rest and sleep can help manage this symptom. Notifying the healthcare provider or charge nurse immediately (choice A) is not necessary for increasing fatigue, as it is expected during radiation therapy. Offering to reschedule the treatment for the following week (choice B) is not the best initial action for managing fatigue. Planning to monitor the client's vital signs every 30 minutes (choice C) is unnecessary and not directly related to managing fatigue caused by radiation therapy.

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