Nursing Elites

1. Which intervention is most effective in preventing postoperative complications?

• A. Encourage the patient to drink fluids.
• B. Ambulate the patient as soon as possible.
• C. Perform deep breathing exercises with the patient.
• D. Encourage the patient to perform range of motion exercises.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective intervention in preventing postoperative complications is to ambulate the patient as soon as possible. Early ambulation helps prevent complications like deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia by enhancing circulation and preventing respiratory issues. Encouraging the patient to drink fluids, perform deep breathing exercises, or range of motion exercises are beneficial interventions, but ambulation is the priority due to its overall impact on preventing various postoperative complications.

2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a client prescribed warfarin. What should be included in the teaching?

• A. Avoid foods rich in vitamin K
• B. Take warfarin with meals
• C. Take aspirin for pain relief
• D. Report unusual bleeding or bruising

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. When a client is prescribed warfarin, they should be educated to report any unusual bleeding or bruising promptly. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Avoiding foods rich in vitamin K is not necessary when taking warfarin, as long as intake remains consistent. Warfarin does not need to be taken with meals, and aspirin should not be taken for pain relief due to its blood-thinning effects, which can increase the risk of bleeding when combined with warfarin.

3. What is the recommended procedure for a healthcare professional to follow when applying sterile gloves?

• A. Use non-sterile gloves first, followed by sterile gloves.
• B. Put on sterile gloves, then gown.
• C. Apply gloves after donning a mask.
• D. Apply gloves before touching any sterile equipment.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct procedure for applying sterile gloves is to do so before touching any sterile equipment or surfaces. This helps maintain the sterility of the gloves. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they suggest incorrect sequences that may compromise the sterility of the gloves. Using non-sterile gloves first can introduce contamination, putting on gloves before a gown can lead to contamination of the gloves during gowning, and applying gloves after donning a mask can risk contamination of the gloves from the mask.

4. The patient has been in bed for several days and needs to be ambulated. What action should the nurse take first?

• A. Dangle the patient at the bedside.
• B. Encourage isometric exercises.
• C. Suggest a high-calcium diet.
• D. Maintain a narrow base of support.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Dangle the patient at the bedside.' When a patient has been in bed for an extended period and needs to be ambulated, it is essential to dangle the patient at the bedside first. Dangling involves helping the patient sit on the edge of the bed with their legs over the side before standing up. This action helps prevent orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure when moving from lying down to standing up, which can lead to dizziness or fainting. Encouraging isometric exercises (choice B) or suggesting a high-calcium diet (choice C) are not the first actions to take before ambulating a patient. Maintaining a narrow base of support (choice D) is related to assisting with ambulation but is not the initial step that should be taken.

5. A patient with severe pain and leg swelling is admitted. What should the nurse assess for?

• A. Check for signs of deep vein thrombosis.
• B. Assess for compartment syndrome.
• C. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
• D. Prepare the patient for surgery to relieve pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a patient presents with severe pain and leg swelling, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can develop due to increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to compromised circulation and potential tissue damage. It is crucial to identify compartment syndrome promptly as it may require immediate intervention to prevent further complications. Checking for signs of deep vein thrombosis (Choice A) is also important in a patient with leg swelling, but in this scenario, the focus should be on assessing for compartment syndrome due to the severity of the symptoms. Increasing fluid intake (Choice C) may not address the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms. Preparing the patient for surgery (Choice D) without a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis is premature and may not be the appropriate initial intervention.

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