Nursing Elites

1. Which instruction should the nurse provide to an elderly client who is taking an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker?

• A. Wear long-sleeved clothing when outdoors
• B. Report the onset of sore throat
• C. Eat plenty of potassium-rich food
• D. Change the position slowly

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct instruction for an elderly client taking both an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker is to change positions slowly. Both medications can lead to orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions, which can increase the risk of falls. Instructing the client to change positions slowly helps prevent falls. Wearing long-sleeved clothing when outdoors does not directly relate to the medication combination. Reporting the onset of a sore throat is important for monitoring potential side effects but is not specific to these medications. While potassium levels should be monitored with ACE inhibitors, eating plenty of potassium-rich foods without guidance can lead to hyperkalemia, a potential side effect of ACE inhibitors.

2. A client who has a new prescription for warfarin (Coumadin) asks the nurse how the medication works. What explanation should the nurse provide?

• A. It dissolves blood clots
• B. It prevents the blood from clotting
• C. It thins the blood
• D. It decreases the risk of infection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'It prevents the blood from clotting.' Warfarin works by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver, thereby preventing the formation of blood clots. Choice A is incorrect because warfarin does not dissolve existing blood clots but prevents new ones from forming. Choice C is partially correct but not as specific as choice B in explaining how warfarin works. Choice D is unrelated to the mechanism of action of warfarin and is incorrect.

3. The nurse is performing a physical assessment of a male client who has chronic renal failure. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?

• A. Client reports difficulty breathing
• B. Client reports shortness of breath when lying flat
• C. Client reports swelling in the feet and ankles
• D. Client reports a metallic taste in the mouth

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In a client with chronic renal failure, difficulty breathing is the most critical finding to report. This symptom may indicate fluid overload or pulmonary edema, which can be life-threatening. Shortness of breath when lying flat (orthopnea) is also concerning but less urgent than difficulty breathing. Swelling in the feet and ankles (edema) is a common finding in renal failure but may not be as immediately critical as difficulty breathing. A metallic taste in the mouth is associated with uremia, a common complication of chronic renal failure, but it is not as urgent as respiratory distress.

4. When obtaining an admission history for a client who is at 9 weeks gestation, the client states, 'I had a miscarriage 2 years ago.' Which information is most important for the nurse to obtain?

• A. How long was your previous pregnancy?
• B. How long did it take for you to become pregnant after your miscarriage?
• C. Was your miscarriage during the first trimester?
• D. Do you have any children now?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Understanding the duration of the previous pregnancy helps assess the client's obstetric history. Choice B focuses on the time it took to conceive after the miscarriage, which is less relevant at this point. Choice C asks about the timing of the miscarriage rather than the duration of the previous pregnancy. Choice D inquires about the current status of having children, which is not directly related to the client's obstetric history.

5. A 14-year-old girl with asthma complains of feeling nervous and jittery after a respiratory therapy bronchodilator treatment. What explanation is best for the nurse to provide to this adolescent?

• A. Nervousness should disappear when hypoxia is relieved after several bronchodilator treatments
• B. Tremors result from the rapid dilation of the bronchioles and an increased heart rate
• C. A fast heart rate and jitteriness are side effects of the bronchodilator treatment containing albuterol
• D. Excessive coughing, which causes tachypnea and anxiety, result from the use of bronchodilators

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because a fast heart rate and jitteriness are common side effects of bronchodilators like albuterol. Choice A is incorrect as nervousness is more likely a side effect of the medication than solely related to hypoxia. Choice B is incorrect as it provides a partial explanation focusing only on tremors and heart rate, not mentioning jitteriness. Choice D is incorrect because excessive coughing and tachypnea are not typically associated with bronchodilator use; instead, they may indicate inadequate relief or other issues.

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