Nursing Elites

1. A client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted with increasing shortness of breath. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
• B. Reposition the client to improve breathing.
• C. Perform chest physiotherapy.
• D. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Administer oxygen via nasal cannula. Oxygen therapy is the priority intervention for a client with COPD experiencing increasing shortness of breath. It helps improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress. Choice B is not the priority as oxygenation needs to be addressed first. Choice C, chest physiotherapy, may be beneficial but is not the immediate priority in this situation. Choice D, encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe, is not the priority intervention when oxygenation is compromised.

2. Which client is at greatest risk for developing delirium?

• A. An adult client who cannot sleep due to pain.
• B. An older client who attempted suicide 1 month ago.
• C. A young adult taking antipsychotic medications twice daily.
• D. A middle-aged woman using supplemental oxygen.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Older adults who have attempted suicide are at higher risk for developing delirium, especially in the context of underlying mental health conditions. Choice A is incorrect as sleep disturbances due to pain may lead to discomfort but not necessarily delirium. Choice C is incorrect as taking antipsychotic medications, if managed well, does not inherently increase the risk of delirium. Choice D is incorrect as using supplemental oxygen alone does not significantly increase the risk of developing delirium.

3. When a pediatric client is taking the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol, what signs of overdose should the nurse instruct the parents to report?

• A. Seizures
• B. Increased respiratory rate
• C. Bradycardia
• D. Irritability

Correct answer: C

Rationale: When a pediatric client is taking propranolol, the nurse should instruct the parents to report signs of overdose, including bradycardia. Propranolol is a beta-blocker that can lead to dangerously slow heart rate as a sign of overdose. While increased respiratory rate, seizures, and irritability may occur in some cases, bradycardia is the most critical symptom indicating an overdose of this medication.

4. A 17-year-old adolescent reports flu-like symptoms and is brought to the emergency room. What intervention should the nurse implement first?

• A. Assess the client's temperature.
• B. Place a mask on the client.
• C. Obtain a chest X-ray per protocol.
• D. Determine the client's blood pressure.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to place a mask on the client. This intervention is crucial in preventing the spread of infections like the flu, especially in a healthcare setting where the risk of transmission is high. Assessing the client's temperature (Choice A) can be important but is not the priority in this situation. Obtaining a chest X-ray (Choice C) and determining the client's blood pressure (Choice D) are not the immediate interventions needed for a 17-year-old reporting flu-like symptoms.

5. A client is receiving morphine for postoperative pain. What is the nurse's priority assessment?

• A. Monitor the client's respiratory rate.
• B. Monitor the client's level of consciousness.
• C. Assess the client's level of pain.
• D. Monitor the client's blood pressure.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the client's respiratory rate. Morphine can cause respiratory depression, so assessing the respiratory rate is crucial to detect this potential side effect early. Monitoring the client's level of consciousness (Choice B) is important but comes after ensuring adequate breathing. Assessing the client's pain level (Choice C) is essential but not the priority when dealing with the side effects of morphine. Monitoring the client's blood pressure (Choice D) is also important but not the priority assessment when the focus is on respiratory depression.

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