Nursing Elites

1. A client complains of pain in their leg, and the nurse notes swelling and pallor. What is the priority nursing action?

• A. Administer pain medication.
• B. Elevate the limb and monitor closely.
• C. Encourage movement to reduce swelling.
• D. Notify the provider immediately about the symptoms.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Notify the provider immediately about the symptoms. Swelling and pallor in a limb can be indicative of serious circulatory issues or compartment syndrome. It is crucial to inform the healthcare provider promptly to assess and address the situation. Administering pain medication (choice A) may temporarily alleviate the symptoms but does not address the underlying cause. Elevating the limb and monitoring closely (choice B) can be beneficial but does not replace the need for immediate professional evaluation. Encouraging movement to reduce swelling (choice C) is contraindicated in this scenario as it may worsen the condition if a circulatory issue or compartment syndrome is present.

2. A patient requires repositioning every 2 hours. Which task can the nurse delegate to the nursing assistive personnel?

• A. Determining the level of comfort
• B. Changing the patient's position
• C. Identifying immobility hazards
• D. Assessing circulation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Changing the patient's position.' Repositioning the patient every 2 hours can be delegated to nursing assistive personnel as it involves physically moving the patient. Tasks like determining the level of comfort (choice A) and assessing circulation (choice D) are clinical judgments that require a nursing license and should be performed by the nurse. Similarly, identifying immobility hazards (choice C) involves critical thinking and assessment skills that are within the nurse's scope of practice.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has diarrhea due to shigella. Which of the following precautions should the nurse take?

• A. Wear gloves only
• B. Wear a mask
• C. Wash hands before and after client care
• D. Use an N95 respirator

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct precaution for a nurse caring for a client with shigella-induced diarrhea is to wash hands before and after client care. Shigella is a highly contagious bacterium that spreads through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected individuals. While wearing gloves is important when directly handling bodily fluids, hand hygiene is crucial in preventing the transmission of the infection. Wearing a mask or using an N95 respirator is not necessary for preventing the spread of shigella, as it primarily spreads through the fecal-oral route rather than through respiratory droplets.

4. A nurse enters a client's room and finds the client pulseless. The client's living will requests no resuscitation be performed, but the provider has not written the prescription. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Administer emergency medications without performing CPR
• B. Begin CPR
• C. Call the provider for a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order
• D. Respect the client's wishes, and do not attempt CPR

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this situation is to begin CPR. In the absence of a written DNR order by the provider, the nurse is ethically and legally obligated to initiate CPR to attempt to save the client's life. Administering emergency medications without CPR (Choice A) may not address the immediate need for life-saving measures. Calling the provider for a DNR order (Choice C) may cause a delay in providing necessary resuscitative measures. Respecting the client's wishes and not attempting CPR (Choice D) goes against the nurse's duty to provide immediate life-saving interventions in the absence of a DNR order.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who is being admitted from the PACU following an abdominal hysterectomy. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?

• A. Urinary output
• B. Pain level
• C. Oxygen saturation
• D. Abdominal dressing

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Oxygen saturation. Following abdominal surgery, the priority assessment is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Monitoring oxygen saturation is crucial as the client may be at risk of respiratory complications due to the effects of anesthesia, pain medications, and the surgical procedure itself. Assessing urinary output is important for monitoring kidney function but is not the priority immediately postoperatively. Pain level assessment is essential for the client's comfort but does not take precedence over ensuring oxygen saturation. Checking the abdominal dressing is important for wound assessment, but ensuring adequate oxygenation is the priority in the immediate postoperative period.

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