Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following laboratory results would be expected in a client with peritonitis?

• A. Partial thromboplastin time above 100 seconds
• B. Hemoglobin level below 10 mg/dL
• C. Potassium level above 5.5 mEq/L
• D. White blood cell count above 15,000

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A white blood cell count above 15,000 is indicative of an infection, such as peritonitis.

2. While caring for a client with peptic ulcer disease, the client reports that he has been nauseated most of the day and is now feeling lightheaded and dizzy. Based upon these findings, which nursing actions would be most appropriate for the nurse to take?

• A. Administering an antacid hourly until nausea subsides.
• B. Monitoring the client's vital signs
• C. Notifying the family and friends of the client's symptoms
• D. Initiating oxygen therapy

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Monitoring the client's vital signs and notifying the physician of the client's symptoms are crucial actions based on the reported symptoms.

3. A patient has a severe exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. Long-term medications will probably include:

• A. Antacids.
• B. Antibiotics.
• C. Corticosteroids.
• D. Histamine2-receptor blockers.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Long-term medications for a severe exacerbation of ulcerative colitis probably include corticosteroids.

4. The client being seen in a physician’s office has just been scheduled for a barium swallow the next day. The nurse writes down which of the following instructions for the client to follow before the test?

• A. Fast for 8 hours before the test
• B. Eat a regular supper and breakfast
• C. Continue to take all oral medications as scheduled.
• D. Monitor own bowel movement pattern for constipation

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Fasting for 8 hours ensures that the stomach is empty, which is necessary for an accurate barium swallow test.

5. Which of the following techniques would the nurse use first to determine if a nasogastric tube is positioned in the stomach?

• A. Aspirating with a syringe and observing for the return of gastric contents.
• B. Irrigating with normal saline and observing for the return of solution.
• C. Placing the tube's free end in water and observing for air bubbles.
• D. Instilling air and auscultating over the epigastric area for the presence of the tube.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The initial way to determine if a nasogastric tube is in the stomach is to apply suction to the tube with a syringe and observe for the return of stomach contents. Then the pH of the aspirate can be measured. This is the method of choice. One would not irrigate until tube placement is confirmed. Observing for air bubbles when the free end of the tube is placed under water is an unacceptable, unsafe method of determining tube placement. Another method is to instill air into the tube with a syringe while auscultating over the epigastric area. Hearing the air enter the stomach helps ensure proper placement, but the method is not foolproof and is no longer considered an effective or preferred way to determine placement.

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