Nursing Elites

1. Which action by the nurse will help reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a postoperative patient?

• A. Encourage early ambulation and leg exercises.
• B. Apply compression stockings to the patient's legs.
• C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed.
• D. Elevate the patient's legs to promote circulation.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage early ambulation and leg exercises. By promoting early ambulation and leg exercises, blood flow is enhanced, reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in postoperative patients. Choice B, applying compression stockings, helps prevent VTE but is not as effective as early ambulation and exercises. Choice C, administering anticoagulants, is important in VTE prevention but does not directly address improving circulation through physical activity. Choice D, elevating the patient's legs, may be beneficial for circulation in specific cases but is not as effective in preventing VTE as early ambulation and leg exercises.

2. A client with tuberculosis is about to start combination drug therapy. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer? (SATA)

• A. Acyclovir
• B. Pyrazinamide
• C. Isoniazid
• D. Rifampin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pyrazinamide. In the treatment of tuberculosis, a combination drug therapy is usually employed. Pyrazinamide and rifampin are two key drugs used in this regimen. Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used for herpes infections, not for tuberculosis. Isoniazid is another medication used in tuberculosis treatment, but in this case, the question asked for medications to administer, and the correct choices should be those commonly used in tuberculosis combination therapy.

3. A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Which finding is most concerning?

• A. Mild redness at the incision site.
• B. Increased drainage from the surgical site.
• C. Fever of 101°F.
• D. Normal white blood cell count.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A fever of 101°F is the most concerning finding when assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Fever can indicate an inflammatory response to an infection, and in a postoperative patient, it can signal a surgical site infection or a systemic infection. Prompt attention is necessary to prevent complications such as sepsis. Mild redness at the incision site and increased drainage can be expected in the early postoperative period due to the normal healing process. A normal white blood cell count does not rule out infection as it can be influenced by various factors, and some infections may not initially cause a rise in white blood cells.

4. A nurse manager of a rural clinic is orienting a new employee. Which of the following information should the nurse include as a characteristic of rural health?

• A. Lower rates of maternal morbidity
• B. Reduced incidence of death from motor-vehicle crashes
• C. Increased rates of chronic illness
• D. More frequent dental preventative care visits

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Increased rates of chronic illness.' Rural areas often face challenges such as limited access to healthcare services, healthcare provider shortages, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle choices that contribute to higher rates of chronic illnesses. Maternal morbidity rates are typically higher in rural areas due to limited access to obstetric care. While rural areas may have fewer motor-vehicle crashes compared to urban areas, the severity of crashes is usually higher due to factors like longer emergency response times. Dental care access can also be limited in rural areas, leading to less frequent preventative care visits.

5. A healthcare provider is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which of the following lab results should be reviewed before administering the medication?

• A. Potassium level
• B. Calcium level
• C. Hemoglobin level
• D. White blood cell count

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Potassium level. Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin can potentiate the effects of low potassium levels, leading to life-threatening arrhythmias. Therefore, it is essential to review the patient's potassium level before administering digoxin. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because calcium level, hemoglobin level, and white blood cell count are not directly related to the risk of digoxin toxicity.

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