Nursing Elites

1. A home health nurse is carefully planning care for a client with Alzheimer's disease. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Place a daily calendar in the kitchen
• B. Replace buttoned clothing with zippered items
• C. Replace carpet with hardwood floors
• D. Create variation in the daily routine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Placing a daily calendar in the kitchen is essential for clients with Alzheimer's disease as it helps in orienting them to time and day, providing structure, and minimizing confusion in their daily routine. This action supports cognitive function and independence. Choice B is incorrect as it does not directly address cognitive orientation. Choice C is not a priority in the care plan and may not significantly impact the client's daily functioning. Choice D, creating variation in the daily routine, can actually increase confusion and anxiety in clients with Alzheimer's disease who thrive on predictability and structure.

2. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client following a below-the-knee amputation. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Avoid sitting in a chair for prolonged periods.
• B. Sleep with a pillow under the residual limb.
• C. Elevate the limb continuously for the first 48 hours.
• D. Apply lotion to the residual limb daily.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the client to avoid sitting in a chair for prolonged periods. This is important to prevent contractures from developing in the residual limb. Sleeping with a pillow under the residual limb can contribute to contracture formation rather than prevent it. While elevation of the limb is important for reducing swelling and promoting circulation, continuous elevation for 48 hours is not necessary and may not be practical. Applying lotion to the residual limb daily is generally not recommended immediately post-amputation as the wound site needs to heal without interference from lotions or creams.

3. A healthcare professional is assessing a client in the PACU. Which of the following findings indicates decreased cardiac output?

• A. Shivering
• B. Oliguria
• C. Bradypnea
• D. Constricted pupils

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Oliguria (low urine output) is a sign of decreased cardiac output because the kidneys are not being adequately perfused, leading to reduced urine production. Shivering (choice A) is a response to hypothermia, not directly related to cardiac output. Bradypnea (choice C) refers to abnormally slow breathing rate and is not a direct indicator of decreased cardiac output. Constricted pupils (choice D) can be caused by medications or sympathetic nervous system stimulation but are not specific to decreased cardiac output.

4. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed montelukast. Which of the following should the nurse include in teaching related to this medication?

• A. Advise the client to take the medication once daily at bedtime.
• B. This medication is for acute management of asthma.
• C. Avoid dairy products while taking this medication.
• D. If the client forgets to take the medication for a few days, he can double up on doses to catch up.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to advise the client to take the medication once daily at bedtime. Montelukast, a leukotriene modifier, is used for long-term therapy of asthma in adults and children, as well as to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. It should be taken once daily in the evening for optimal effectiveness. Choice B is incorrect because montelukast is not for acute management but for long-term therapy. Choice C is incorrect as there is no need to avoid dairy products while taking montelukast. Choice D is incorrect and potentially harmful advice; clients should never double up on doses if they forget to take a medication.

5. A nurse is assessing a client with pericarditis. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report?

• A. Paradoxical pulse
• B. Dependent edema
• C. Pericardial friction rub
• D. Substernal chest pain

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A paradoxical pulse is a sign of cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening complication of pericarditis that requires immediate intervention. It results from decreased cardiac output due to increased pressure in the pericardial sac. Reporting this finding promptly allows for timely treatment to prevent further deterioration. Dependent edema and substernal chest pain are common in pericarditis but are not as urgent as a paradoxical pulse. A pericardial friction rub is a classic finding in pericarditis and indicates inflammation but is not as critical as a paradoxical pulse.

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