Nursing Elites

1. After administering nitroglycerin to a client with coronary artery disease (CAD) who reports chest pain, what should be the nurse's next priority action?

• A. Obtain a 12-lead ECG
• B. Monitor the client's blood pressure
• C. Notify the healthcare provider
• D. Administer a second dose of nitroglycerin

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct next priority action after administering nitroglycerin to a client with CAD experiencing chest pain is to monitor the client's blood pressure. Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension, so it is crucial to assess and monitor the client's blood pressure for any signs of decreased perfusion or adverse effects. Obtaining a 12-lead ECG may be important but is not the immediate priority. Notifying the healthcare provider and administering a second dose of nitroglycerin should only be considered after ensuring the client's blood pressure is stable.

2. The nurse is caring for a client who has undergone a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Which action should the nurse take to prevent postoperative complications?

• A. Encourage the client to cough and deep breathe every 1 to 2 hours.
• B. Maintain the client in a supine position at all times.
• C. Keep the client on bed rest for the first 48 hours.
• D. Restrict the client's fluid intake to prevent overload.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe every 1 to 2 hours is crucial post-CABG surgery to prevent respiratory complications, such as atelectasis and pneumonia. These actions help to expand lung volume, clear secretions, and prevent the collapse of alveoli. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because maintaining the client in a supine position at all times can lead to complications like decreased lung expansion, keeping the client on bed rest for the first 48 hours may increase the risk of thromboembolism, and restricting fluid intake postoperatively can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.

3. The client admitted to the hospital with pulmonary edema is preparing for discharge. The client should be reminded of the importance of complying with which measure to prevent a recurrence?

• A. Weigh oneself every morning before breakfast.
• B. Sleep with the head elevated on multiple pillows.
• C. Adjust diuretic dose without healthcare provider guidance.
• D. Take additional digoxin (Lanoxin) as a preventive measure.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Monitoring weight daily, especially in the morning before breakfast, is crucial in detecting fluid retention early and preventing pulmonary edema. Sudden weight gain can indicate fluid accumulation, prompting timely intervention to prevent complications. Choice A is the correct answer because daily weight monitoring is a key component in managing heart failure and preventing pulmonary edema recurrence. Choices B and D are not directly related to preventing fluid retention or pulmonary edema recurrence. Choice C is unsafe as adjusting diuretic doses without healthcare provider guidance can lead to electrolyte imbalances and worsening of the condition.

4. In monitoring the effectiveness of warfarin therapy for a client with a history of atrial fibrillation, which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?

• A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
• B. Prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR)
• C. Platelet count
• D. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) are crucial laboratory values to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy in clients with atrial fibrillation. These values help ensure that the client is within the therapeutic range and that the anticoagulant effect of warfarin is appropriate. Monitoring aPTT, platelet count, or ESR is not directly related to assessing the effectiveness of warfarin therapy in these cases.

5. The healthcare professional is assessing a client who presents with jaundice. Which assessment finding is most important for the healthcare professional to follow up on?

• A. Urine specific gravity of 1.03
• B. Frothy, tea-colored urine
• C. Clay-colored stools
• D. Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Elevated serum amylase and lipase levels are indicative of pancreatitis, a serious condition that can manifest with jaundice. Timely follow-up is crucial to manage pancreatitis and its complications effectively in a jaundiced client. Choices A, B, and C are less critical in this scenario. Urine specific gravity within normal range, frothy tea-colored urine, and clay-colored stools can be associated with various conditions but are not directly indicative of pancreatitis, which is the most concerning condition associated with jaundice.

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