the nurses first action upon discovery of an electrical fire should be which of the following

NCLEX-PN

Nclex Exam Cram Practice Questions

1. What should be the first action upon the discovery of an electrical fire?

A. Disconnect the electrical power if it can be done safely
B. Smother the source with an object like a blanket
C. Saturate the source with water or another liquid
D. Immediately activate the fire alarm

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct initial action upon discovering an electrical fire is to disconnect the electrical power if it can be done safely. This helps prevent the fire from spreading through the electrical system. Smothering the fire with a blanket is not recommended for electrical fires as it can fuel the fire. Saturating the source with water or other liquids is also not advised as it can lead to electric shock or spread the fire. Activating the fire alarm is important, but it should be done after disconnecting the power to prevent further escalation of the fire.

2. A client with a pleural drainage system to suction has gentle bubbling of the water seal. What should the nurse do?

A. Notify the physician.
B. Clamp the chest tube.
C. Replace the system.
D. Document the finding

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Gentle bubbling is a normal finding for a client with a pleural drainage system to suction, so it simply needs to be documented for monitoring purposes. If the bubbling becomes vigorous, it could indicate a leak, which would then require further investigation by the nurse. Therefore, the correct action at this point is to document the finding. Notifying the physician is not necessary for gentle bubbling as it is expected. Clamping the chest tube or replacing the system is inappropriate and could potentially harm the client as there is no indication for such actions based on the scenario provided.

3. A discharge planning nurse is making arrangements for a client with an epidural catheter for continuous infusion of opioids to be placed in a long-term care facility. The family prefers a facility in its neighborhood to facilitate visiting. The neighborhood facility has never cared for a client with this type of need. What is the most appropriate action by the discharge planning nurse?

A. Arrange for immediate in-services for the long-term care facility staff on pain management using epidural catheters.
B. Explain the situation to the client and family and seek another long-term care facility for discharge from the hospital.
C. Encourage the family to hire private duty nurses skilled in epidural catheter pain management to allow the client to be transferred to the neighborhood facility.
D. None of the above

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, the priority is the safety and well-being of the client. The neighborhood facility's lack of experience in caring for a client with an epidural catheter for continuous opioid infusion raises concerns about the quality of care they can provide. Therefore, the most appropriate action for the discharge planning nurse is to explain the situation to the client and family and seek another long-term care facility that can provide the necessary care. Option A, arranging for immediate in-services, may not be feasible or timely, considering the urgent need for appropriate care. Option C, encouraging the family to hire private duty nurses, does not ensure the facility's overall capability to manage the client's complex needs. Option D, 'None of the above,' is not the best choice as the client's safety should be the priority in this situation.

4. The nurse notes that a healthcare provider has documented the following prescription in a client's record: Furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg stat once. What action should the nurse take?

A. Administering the medication
B. Drawing up the medication in a syringe
C. Planning to have the nurse on the next shift administer the medication
D. Contacting the healthcare provider

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to contact the healthcare provider. The prescription provided lacks crucial information such as the route of administration. Before administering any medication, the nurse must clarify any missing details with the provider, especially for a stat prescription that requires immediate administration. Drawing up or administering the medication without verifying the route of administration is unsafe and can lead to errors. Planning for the next shift nurse to administer the medication is not appropriate in this scenario as the stat order necessitates immediate action. Therefore, the best course of action is to contact the healthcare provider to obtain clarification on the prescription.

5. A nurse calls a health care provider to report that a client with congestive heart failure (CHF) is exhibiting dyspnea and worsening of wheezing. The health care provider, who is in a hurry because of a situation in the emergency department, gives the nurse a telephone prescription for furosemide (Lasix) but does not specify the route of administration. What is the appropriate action on the part of the nurse?

A. Calling the health care provider who gave the telephone prescription to clarify the prescription
B. Administering the medication orally and clarifying the prescription once the health care provider has finished caring for the client in the emergency department
C. Calling the nursing supervisor for assistance in determining the route of administration
D. Administering the medication intravenously because this route is generally used for clients with CHF

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Telephone prescriptions involve a health care provider dictating a prescribed therapy over the telephone to the nurse. The nurse must clarify the prescription by repeating it clearly and precisely to the health care provider. The nurse then writes the prescription on the health care provider's prescription sheet or enters it into the electronic medical record. It is crucial not to interpret an unclear prescription or administer a medication by a route that has not been expressly prescribed. In this case, the nurse should call the health care provider who gave the telephone prescription to clarify the prescription, ensuring the correct route of administration is specified. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because administering the medication without clarification, seeking assistance from the nursing supervisor, or choosing an arbitrary route of administration can compromise patient safety and violate medication administration protocols.