Nursing Elites

1. A client in a long-term care facility reports to the nurse that he has not had a bowel movement in 2 days. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

• A. Instruct the caregiver to offer a glass of warm prune juice at mealtimes.
• B. Notify the healthcare provider and request a prescription for a large-volume enema.
• C. Assess the client's medical record to determine the client's normal bowel pattern.
• D. Instruct the caregiver to increase the client's fluids to five 8-ounce glasses per day.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The first step in addressing a client's reported change in bowel habits is to assess the client's normal bowel pattern. This assessment helps the nurse understand the client's typical bowel habits and identify any deviations from the norm. By assessing the medical record first, the nurse gains valuable information that guides further interventions. In this scenario, offering prune juice (Option A) or increasing fluids (Option D) may not be appropriate until the client's normal bowel pattern is known. Notifying the healthcare provider for a large-volume enema (Option B) is premature without understanding the client's baseline. Therefore, assessing the client's medical record is the priority before proceeding with any interventions.

2. The client is still unable to sleep despite following the progressive muscle relaxation technique routine taught by the nurse. Which action should the nurse take first?

• A. Instruct the client to add regular exercise to their daily routine.
• B. Determine if the client has been keeping a sleep diary.
• C. Encourage the client to continue the routine until sleep is achieved.
• D. Ask the client to describe the routine they are currently following.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse's initial step should be to assess the client's adherence to the original instructions. By asking the client to describe the routine they are following, the nurse gains more specific information than relying solely on a sleep diary. This information will help the nurse identify any deviations or areas needing adjustment in the technique. Encouraging the client to persist with an unsuccessful routine without evaluation is not beneficial. Adding regular exercise, although important for overall sleep health, should come after ensuring the correct execution of the relaxation technique.

3. Which action by a client who requires an above-the-knee amputation for peripheral arterial disease best indicates emotional readiness for the surgery?

• A. Explains the goals of the procedure
• B. Displays few signs of anticipatory grief
• C. Participates in learning perioperative care
• D. Verbalizes acceptance of permanent dependency needs

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Participating actively in learning self-care demonstrates emotional acceptance of the need for surgery and readiness for planning post-surgery. Explaining the goals of the procedure may reflect intellectual readiness but not necessarily emotional readiness. A client who shows few signs of anticipatory grief may be suppressing emotions or in denial, which can hinder the emotional readiness. Verbalizing acceptance of permanent dependency needs suggests the client may require further education and emotional support, as it may not reflect a healthy emotional readiness for the surgery.

4. Which term describes what an adolescent client is experiencing when she says to the nurse who has been caring for her, 'You're just like my mother; I hate you'?

• A. Insight
• B. Universality
• C. Transference
• D. Identification

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Transference occurs when a client unconsciously assigns feelings and attitudes originally associated with another important person in the client's life. In this scenario, the adolescent client is projecting emotions connected to her mother onto the nurse. This client's statement does not demonstrate insight but rather reflects the mechanism of transference. Universality refers to the sense that one is not alone in any situation, which is not evident in the client's statement. Identification is a defense mechanism where an individual takes on characteristics of someone considered admirable, which is not the case in this situation.

5. Which nursing diagnosis has the highest priority when planning care for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter?

• A. Self-care deficit
• B. Functional incontinence
• C. Fluid volume deficit
• D. High risk for infection

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'High risk for infection.' When caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter, the highest priority is to prevent infections, as these catheters are a significant source of infection. Options A and B, self-care deficit and functional incontinence, may be concerns but are not directly related to the indwelling catheter. Option C, fluid volume deficit, is not typically associated with the presence of an indwelling urinary catheter.

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