Nursing Elites

1. Which action by the nurse will be the most important for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage?

• A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
• B. Limit caloric and protein intake.
• C. Turn the patient every 2 hours.
• D. Assess for pain during a bath.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The most important action for preventing skin impairment in a mobile patient with local nerve damage is to assess for pain during a bath. Assessing pain during a bath helps in evaluating sensory nerve function by checking for touch, pain, heat, cold, and pressure. This assessment is crucial in identifying areas of potential skin breakdown and implementing preventive measures. Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter (Choice A) is not directly related to preventing skin impairment in this context. Limiting caloric and protein intake (Choice B) is not pertinent to skin impairment prevention for a mobile patient with local nerve damage. While turning the patient every 2 hours (Choice C) is a good practice for preventing pressure ulcers, in this case, assessing for pain during a bath is more directly related to preventing skin impairment associated with nerve damage.

2. A client is admitted with a tentative diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Which of the following assessments would the nurse expect to be consistent with this problem?

• A. Chest pain
• B. Pallor
• C. Inspiratory crackles
• D. Heart murmur

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Inspiratory crackles are a common finding in patients with congestive heart failure due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, leading to crackling sounds during inspiration. Chest pain (Choice A) is more commonly associated with conditions like angina or myocardial infarction and is not a typical symptom of congestive heart failure. Pallor (Choice B) is a general symptom of various conditions and not specific to congestive heart failure. While a heart murmur (Choice D) may be heard in some cases of congestive heart failure, it is not as consistent as inspiratory crackles in indicating the condition.

3. What is the most important aspect for the nurse to include in the discharge plan for a client performing his own dressing changes at home following abdominal surgery?

• A. Demonstration of appropriate hand hygiene
• B. Explanation of wound care technique
• C. Review of signs and symptoms of infection
• D. Instructions for when to contact the healthcare provider

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most critical aspect for the nurse to include in the discharge plan for a client performing his own dressing changes at home following abdominal surgery is the demonstration of appropriate hand hygiene. Proper hand hygiene is essential to prevent the introduction of infection during dressing changes. While wound care technique, signs and symptoms of infection, and instructions for contacting the healthcare provider are all important components of the discharge plan, ensuring the client understands and practices proper hand hygiene is paramount to minimize the risk of infection. This choice takes precedence as it directly addresses infection prevention during the dressing changes, which is crucial for successful post-operative recovery.

4. A charge nurse is talking with a newly licensed nurse and is reviewing nursing interventions that do not require a provider’s prescription. Which of the following interventions should the charge nurse include?

• A. Writing a prescription for morphine sulfate as needed for pain
• B. Inserting a nasogastric (NG) tube to relieve gastric distention
• C. Showing a client how to use progressive muscle relaxation
• D. Performing a daily bath after the evening meal

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Showing a client how to use progressive muscle relaxation is an intervention that does not require a provider's prescription. This falls within the nurse's scope of practice and can be implemented to promote relaxation and reduce stress for the client. Choices A and B involve tasks that require a provider's prescription and specialized training. Writing a prescription for morphine sulfate and inserting an NG tube should only be done by authorized healthcare providers. Choice D, performing a daily bath, while within the nurse's scope, does not specifically address interventions that do not require a provider's prescription.

5. A nurse is caring for an older adult client who becomes agitated when the nurse requests the client’s dentures be removed prior to surgery. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

• A. You seem worried. Are you concerned someone may see you without your teeth?
• B. Don't worry, it’s just for the surgery.
• C. You need to follow the instructions.
• D. The dentures need to be removed for a reason.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct response is to provide a clear rationale for the request, as stated in option D. By explaining the purpose behind removing the dentures, the nurse helps the client understand the necessity, which can reduce agitation and promote cooperation. Option A demonstrates empathy by addressing the client's potential concern about being seen without dentures but lacks a direct explanation. Option B dismisses the client's feelings with a casual statement that may not address the underlying issue. Option C is authoritarian and lacks empathy, potentially escalating the client's agitation.

Similar Questions