Nursing Elites

1. When washing soiled hands, what should the nurse do after wetting the hands and applying soap?

• A. Rub hands palm to palm
• B. Interlace the fingers
• C. Dry hands with a paper towel
• D. Turn off the water faucet

Correct answer: A

Rationale: After wetting the hands and applying soap, the nurse should rub hands palm to palm. Rubbing hands palm to palm helps create friction and effectively clean the hands by spreading the soap and reaching all areas. Interlacing the fingers, drying hands with a paper towel, and turning off the water faucet should come after rubbing hands palm to palm in the handwashing process. Interlacing the fingers can be done to ensure the backs of the hands are cleaned, drying hands with a paper towel is the final step to ensure hands are dry, and turning off the water faucet helps save water.

2. On admission to the Emergency Department, a female client who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 3 years ago reports that this morning she took a handful of medications and left a suicide note for her family. Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. Which family member has the client's suicide note?
• B. When the client last took medications for bipolar disorder?
• C. What medications the client used for the suicide attempt?
• D. Whether the client has ever attempted suicide in the past?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Identifying the specific medications taken during a suicide attempt is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment and assessing the potential toxicity or interactions. This information helps healthcare providers initiate the necessary interventions promptly. Option A is not as critical as knowing the medications used. Option B focuses on the timing of the last medication intake rather than the specific drugs taken for the overdose. Option D, while relevant, does not provide immediate actionable information compared to identifying the substances involved in the suicide attempt.

3. A young adult female presents at the emergency center with acute lower abdominal pain. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?

• A. Pain scale rating of 9 on a 0-10 scale
• B. Last menstrual period was 7 weeks ago
• C. Reports white curdy vaginal discharge
• D. History of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. A missed menstrual period could indicate a possible pregnancy-related issue, requiring urgent evaluation. Assessing the menstrual history in a female of reproductive age takes precedence in this scenario. Choice A, the pain scale rating, is important but not as urgent as evaluating the menstrual history. Choice C, reporting white curdy vaginal discharge, may suggest a vaginal infection but is not as critical as ruling out a potential pregnancy. Choice D, the history of irritable bowel syndrome, is relevant but not as crucial as determining pregnancy-related issues in this context.

4. A postoperative client returns to the nursing unit following a ureterolithotomy via a flank incision. Which potential nursing problem has the highest priority when planning nursing care for this client?

• A. Ineffective airway clearance
• B. Altered nutrition less than body requirements
• C. Fluid volume excess
• D. Activity intolerance

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In this scenario, the highest priority nursing problem for the postoperative client following a ureterolithotomy via a flank incision is ineffective airway clearance. After surgery, there is a risk of airway obstruction due to factors like anesthesia, positioning during surgery, or the presence of secretions. Maintaining a clear airway is crucial to prevent respiratory complications, such as atelectasis or pneumonia. Altered nutrition, fluid volume excess, and activity intolerance are important considerations but are secondary to the immediate threat of compromised airway clearance in the postoperative period.

5. An adult male is admitted to the intensive care unit because he experienced a sudden onset of sharp chest pain and shortness of breath earlier today. Following an emergent pulmonary angiogram, the client is diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in this client’s plan of care?

• A. Monitor signs of increased bleeding
• B. Instruct on the use of incentive spirometry
• C. Observe for confusion and restlessness
• D. Administer intravenous opioids for severe pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a patient diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, the most critical intervention is to monitor for signs of increased bleeding. Pulmonary embolism treatment often involves anticoagulation therapy, which increases the risk of bleeding. Monitoring for signs of bleeding such as bruising, petechiae, hematuria, or gastrointestinal bleeding is essential to prevent complications. Instructing on the use of incentive spirometry can be beneficial for preventing pulmonary complications but is not as urgent as monitoring for bleeding. Observing for confusion and restlessness may indicate hypoxia but is not the most crucial intervention in this scenario. Administering intravenous opioids for severe pain might be necessary but is not the priority compared to monitoring for bleeding, which is directly related to the treatment for pulmonary embolism.

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