Nursing Elites

1. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare provider to take when a patient is at risk for falls?

• A. Place the call light within the patient's reach.
• B. Apply a yellow fall risk bracelet to the patient.
• C. Assist the patient when ambulating.
• D. Ensure the patient's room is well-lit.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to apply a yellow fall risk bracelet to the patient. This action helps alert staff to the patient's increased risk of falling, prompting them to implement appropriate safety measures and precautions. Placing the call light within reach (choice A) is generally important but does not specifically address fall risk. Assisting the patient when ambulating (choice C) is important but may not be sufficient alone to prevent falls. Ensuring the patient's room is well-lit (choice D) is also crucial for patient safety but does not directly address the patient's fall risk status.

2. A nurse is preparing to administer a blood transfusion. What is the most important action to ensure patient safety?

• A. Check the patient's vital signs every 15 minutes during the transfusion.
• B. Verify the patient's identity with two identifiers before starting the transfusion.
• C. Ensure the blood product is administered within 4 hours of removal from the blood bank.
• D. Ensure the patient has signed the informed consent form.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important action to ensure patient safety when administering a blood transfusion is to verify the patient's identity with two identifiers before starting the transfusion. This step is crucial to prevent transfusion errors, such as giving the blood to the wrong patient. Checking vital signs, ensuring timely administration, and confirming informed consent are also important aspects of blood transfusion safety but verifying the patient's identity is the highest priority to prevent errors.

3. A client reports pain and swelling at the IV site. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Flush the IV line and continue the infusion.
• B. Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider.
• C. Increase the IV infusion rate to reduce discomfort.
• D. Apply a warm compress to the IV site and continue monitoring.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider. Pain and swelling at an IV site can indicate infiltration or infection, which are serious complications. Stopping the infusion helps prevent further harm to the client, and notifying the healthcare provider promptly allows for appropriate assessment and intervention. Choice A is incorrect because flushing the IV line and continuing the infusion could exacerbate the issue. Choice C is incorrect as increasing the IV infusion rate is not the appropriate action for pain and swelling at the site. Choice D is incorrect because applying a warm compress may not address the underlying issue of infiltration or infection; it's crucial to stop the infusion and seek further guidance.

4. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to four clients. The nurse should administer medications to which client first?

• A. A client who has pneumonia and a WBC count of 11,500/mm3 prescribed piperacillin
• B. A client who has renal failure and a serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L prescribed sodium polystyrene sulfonate
• C. A client who is post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) prescribed atorvastatin
• D. A client who has anemia and a hemoglobin level of 11g/dL prescribed epoetin alfa

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The client with renal failure and high potassium levels requires immediate attention because hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac complications. Administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate helps lower the potassium levels. Choice A, the client with pneumonia and a high WBC count, although important, does not present an immediate life-threatening condition. Choice C, the post-CABG client prescribed atorvastatin, and Choice D, the client with anemia and a hemoglobin level of 11g/dL prescribed epoetin alfa, do not require immediate intervention compared to managing hyperkalemia in a client with renal failure.

5. A nurse is teaching an older adult client who has left-sided weakness about cane use. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Hold the cane with your left hand
• B. Move the cane forward 18 inches with each step
• C. When walking, move your left foot forward first
• D. Keep your elbow straight when you hold the cane

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client with left-sided weakness using a cane is to move the left foot forward first. This technique helps improve stability and safety by ensuring weight-bearing on the stronger side while providing support with the cane. Choice A is incorrect because the cane should be held on the stronger side, which is the right side in this case. Choice B is incorrect as the recommended distance to move the cane forward with each step is about 6 inches, not 18 inches. Choice D is incorrect as it is essential to maintain a slight bend in the elbow while using the cane to absorb shock and provide flexibility.

Similar Questions