Nursing Elites

1. Which intervention is most effective for managing a patient with constipation?

• A. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
• B. Administer a stool softener as prescribed.
• C. Provide the patient with a high-fiber diet.
• D. Teach the patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective intervention for managing constipation in a patient is to administer a stool softener as prescribed. Stool softeners help relieve constipation by making the stool easier to pass, especially in postoperative patients. Increasing fluid intake can be beneficial but may not address the underlying cause of constipation. While a high-fiber diet is important for bowel health, it may not provide immediate relief for constipation. Teaching a patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers is not recommended for managing constipation as it can lead to adverse effects like increasing intra-abdominal pressure.

2. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a client. What should the nurse assess before administration?

• A. Assess for pain relief.
• B. Monitor for respiratory depression.
• C. Assess the infusion site for complications.
• D. Increase the dosage if the client reports more pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Correct answer: Before administering morphine sulfate, the nurse should monitor for respiratory depression as it is a significant side effect of this medication. Assessing for pain relief (Choice A) is important but not a pre-administration assessment. Checking the infusion site for complications (Choice C) is relevant for IV medications, not specifically for morphine sulfate. Increasing the dosage if the client reports more pain (Choice D) is not appropriate without further assessment and medical orders.

3. A healthcare professional is assessing a client 15 minutes after administering morphine sulfate 2 mg via IV push. The healthcare professional should identify which of the following findings as an adverse effect of the medication?

• A. Drowsy but responsive when her name is called
• B. SaO2 94%
• C. Respiratory rate 8/min
• D. Pain level of 6 on a scale from 0 to 10

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A respiratory rate of 8/min is a significant adverse effect of morphine that indicates respiratory depression, which requires immediate intervention to prevent further complications. The client may not be effectively ventilating, leading to hypoxia and respiratory acidosis. Option A is less concerning as being drowsy but responsive is a common side effect of morphine. Option B indicates decreased oxygen saturation, which is also a concern but not as severe as respiratory depression. Option D is important but not as critical as the potential respiratory compromise indicated by the low respiratory rate.

4. A health care provider asks the nurse who is caring for a client with a new colostomy to ask the hospital's stoma nurse to visit the client. What is the nurse's responsibility?

• A. Contact the stoma nurse immediately.
• B. Educate the client on stoma care.
• C. Assess the stoma site for complications.
• D. Arrange for follow-up visits with the stoma nurse.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Educate the client on stoma care.' The nurse's primary responsibility in this scenario is to provide education to the client on stoma care. This empowers the client to take care of their colostomy effectively. While it is important to involve the stoma nurse for specialized care, the immediate action required from the nurse is client education. Choice A is incorrect as the immediate action is not to contact the stoma nurse but to educate the client first. Choice C is not the nurse's initial responsibility unless there are obvious complications. Choice D is premature as arranging follow-up visits should come after the client has been educated and initial care has been provided.

5. The healthcare provider is assessing how a patient's pain is affecting mobility. Which assessment question is most appropriate?

• A. What activities, if any, has your pain prevented you from doing?
• B. When does your pain medication typically take effect on your pain?
• C. Would you please rate your pain on a scale from 0 to 10 for me?
• D. Have you considered working with a physical therapist?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The most appropriate assessment question in this scenario is asking the patient, 'What activities, if any, has your pain prevented you from doing?' This question helps the healthcare provider understand how pain is impacting the patient's daily activities and mobility, providing valuable insight into the limitations caused by the pain. Choice B focuses on pain medication effectiveness, which is not directly related to mobility assessment. Choice C aims at pain intensity assessment but does not directly address mobility issues. Choice D suggests a solution rather than gathering information about the current impact of pain on mobility.

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