Nursing Elites

1. Which is the most important safety measure when administering a medication through a patient’s central venous catheter (CVC)?

• A. Using a sterile technique
• B. Ensuring correct placement of the CVC
• C. Flushing the CVC with saline after administration
• D. Monitoring for signs of infection

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important safety measure when administering a medication through a patient’s central venous catheter (CVC) is ensuring the correct placement of the CVC. This is crucial to prevent complications such as extravasation, infection, or improper drug delivery. While using a sterile technique, flushing the CVC with saline after administration, and monitoring for signs of infection are all important aspects of CVC care, ensuring the correct placement of the catheter takes precedence as it directly impacts patient safety during medication administration.

2. Patients are coming into the emergency room as a result of an apartment house fire. You are examining a patient who is in distress but has no visible burn marks. You suspect that she is suffering from inhalation burns. Which of the following signs would NOT be associated with inhalation burns?

• A. Singed nasal hairs
• B. Conjunctivitis
• C. Hoarseness
• D. Clear sputum

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Clear sputum would not be associated with inhalation burns. Inhalation burns typically present with symptoms like singed nasal hairs, conjunctivitis, hoarseness, and possibly soot in sputum due to smoke inhalation. Clear sputum suggests that there is no significant inflammation or injury to the respiratory tract, which is not consistent with the typical findings in inhalation burns. The other choices are associated with inhalation burns: singed nasal hairs can occur due to exposure to hot air or gases, conjunctivitis can result from irritating substances in smoke, and hoarseness can be due to airway irritation.

3. A female client taking a liquid iron preparation expresses concern that her tooth color has darkened since starting the medication. What action should the PN implement?

• A. Teach the client to use a straw when taking the medication to reduce further tooth staining
• B. Advise the client to withhold further doses until consulting with the healthcare provider
• C. Reassure the client that this change indicates the medication is having the desired effect
• D. Determine if the client is also experiencing mouth or gum pain and difficulty swallowing

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the PN to implement is to teach the client to use a straw when taking the medication to reduce further tooth staining. Using a straw minimizes contact between the iron preparation and the teeth, helping prevent additional staining. Choice B is incorrect because withholding doses without consulting the healthcare provider could be detrimental to the client's health. Choice C is incorrect because darkening of tooth color is not an expected effect of liquid iron preparation and should not be reassured as a desired effect. Choice D is incorrect as it does not directly address the client's concern about tooth staining.

4. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor for a patient receiving heparin therapy?

• A. Platelet count
• B. Prothrombin time (PT)
• C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
• D. International normalized ratio (INR)

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Partial thromboplastin time (PTT). PTT is monitored to assess the therapeutic effect of heparin therapy. It helps ensure that the heparin levels are within the desired range to prevent either clotting or excessive bleeding. Platelet count (A) is important but does not directly assess heparin's therapeutic effect. Prothrombin time (PT) (B) and International normalized ratio (INR) (D) are used to monitor patients on warfarin, not heparin therapy.

5. A full-term, 24-hour-old infant in the nursery regurgitates and suddenly turns cyanotic. Which immediate intervention should the PN implement?

• A. Stimulate the infant to cry
• B. Give oxygen by positive pressure
• C. Suction the oral and nasal passages
• D. Turn the infant onto the right side

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Suctioning the oral and nasal passages is the correct immediate intervention in this scenario. Regurgitation leading to cyanosis indicates a potential airway obstruction, which requires prompt action to clear. Stimulating the infant to cry (Choice A) may not address the underlying issue of airway obstruction. Giving oxygen by positive pressure (Choice B) can be beneficial, but clearing the airway obstruction takes precedence. Turning the infant onto the right side (Choice D) does not directly address the need to clear the airway.

Similar Questions