a client complains of pain in their leg and the nurse notes swelling and pallor what is the priority nursing action
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment A

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

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. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with a new tracheostomy?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to suction the tracheostomy as needed to maintain a patent airway. After a tracheostomy procedure, the immediate concern is airway patency to prevent respiratory compromise. Suctioning helps clear secretions and maintains a clear airway, reducing the risk of respiratory distress. Monitoring the patient's oxygen saturation (choice B) is important but not the priority compared to ensuring a clear airway. Providing humidified air (choice C) and administering pain medication (choice D) are also essential aspects of care for a patient with a tracheostomy, but they are not the priority when immediate airway management is required.

3. Which of the following is a primary focus of tertiary prevention in mental health?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Rehabilitation and prevention of further deterioration. Tertiary prevention in mental health aims to provide interventions and support to individuals who already have a mental illness to prevent further deterioration and promote recovery. Choice A, identifying early signs of mental illness, is more aligned with primary prevention which focuses on preventing the onset of mental health problems. Choice B, preventing the occurrence of mental health problems, pertains to secondary prevention which involves early detection and intervention to prevent the progression of mental health issues. Choice D, providing a safe environment to prevent harm, is important but it is not the primary focus of tertiary prevention which is more centered on rehabilitation and improving the quality of life for individuals with existing mental health conditions.

4. A nurse manager is discussing electronic medical records with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain client confidentiality?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Log out of the computer terminal before leaving. Logging out before leaving the computer terminal is crucial to ensuring patient data remains confidential and to prevent unauthorized access. Choice B is incorrect because sharing passwords compromises confidentiality. Choice C is incorrect as changing passwords regularly, although a good practice for security, is not directly related to maintaining client confidentiality. Choice D is incorrect as it does not address the immediate concern of maintaining client confidentiality through proper access to electronic medical records.

5. A patient with a history of asthma is admitted with shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer a bronchodilator as prescribed. This intervention is the priority for a patient with asthma experiencing shortness of breath as it helps relax the airways, making breathing easier. Encouraging the use of an incentive spirometer (Choice B) is beneficial for lung expansion but not the priority in this acute situation. Placing the patient in a high Fowler's position (Choice C) can also help with breathing but is not as immediate as administering a bronchodilator. While monitoring the patient's oxygen saturation closely (Choice D) is important, the immediate action to address the breathing difficulty is administering a bronchodilator.

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