Nursing Elites

1. When caring for a patient with a colostomy, which nursing action is most important?

• A. Monitor the colostomy for signs of infection.
• B. Empty the colostomy bag when it is half full.
• C. Encourage the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• D. Apply a skin barrier to prevent irritation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Emptying the colostomy bag when it is half full is the most important nursing action when caring for a patient with a colostomy. This practice helps prevent leakage, reduces the risk of skin irritation, and promotes patient comfort. Monitoring for signs of infection (Choice A) is essential but not as crucial as maintaining proper colostomy care. Encouraging the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals (Choice C) can be beneficial for colostomy patients but is not as critical as ensuring timely emptying of the colostomy bag. Applying a skin barrier to prevent irritation (Choice D) is important, but ensuring timely emptying of the colostomy bag takes precedence in preventing complications associated with a colostomy.

2. Which of the following is the correct method to reduce the risk of infection when handling a urinary catheter?

• A. Clean the catheter tubing with soap and water.
• B. Maintain sterile technique when inserting the catheter.
• C. Insert the catheter using clean gloves and a clean technique.
• D. Flush the catheter tubing regularly with sterile water.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct method to reduce the risk of infection when handling a urinary catheter is to maintain sterile technique when inserting the catheter. Sterile technique helps prevent introducing pathogens into the urinary system, reducing the risk of infection. Choice A is incorrect because cleaning the catheter tubing with soap and water is not sufficient for preventing infection. Choice C is incorrect as clean gloves and technique are not enough; sterile technique is necessary. Choice D is incorrect as flushing the catheter tubing with sterile water, though important for maintaining catheter patency, does not address the need for sterile technique during insertion to prevent infection.

3. A client has a new prescription for folic acid and believes it's only for pregnant women. What statement should the nurse make?

• A. Folic acid is important only for pregnant women.
• B. You don’t need folic acid if you eat a balanced diet.
• C. Folic acid is important for the building of blood cells for adults and children.
• D. You should take folic acid only if your blood tests show a deficiency.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because folic acid is essential for the production of red blood cells in adults and children, not just for pregnant women. Option A is incorrect as folic acid is not exclusive to pregnant women. Option B is incorrect as a balanced diet may not provide sufficient folic acid. Option D is incorrect since folic acid supplementation is also recommended for other reasons beyond deficiency.

4. 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.

5. Which action by the nurse will help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a patient on mechanical ventilation?

• A. Provide oral care every 4 hours.
• B. Reposition the patient every 2 hours.
• C. Suction the patient as needed.
• D. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Providing oral care every 4 hours helps prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia by reducing the buildup of bacteria in the mouth that can be aspirated into the lungs. Repositioning the patient every 2 hours is important for preventing pressure ulcers but is not directly related to preventing VAP. Suctioning the patient as needed is essential for maintaining airway patency but does not specifically prevent VAP. Administering antibiotics as prescribed is a treatment for infections but does not prevent VAP.

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