Nursing Elites

1. A hospice nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and reports severe pain. After the nurse administers the prescribed opioid and benzodiazepine, the client becomes somnolent and difficult to arouse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Withhold the benzodiazepine but continue the opioid
• B. Contact the provider about replacing the opioid with an NSAID
• C. Administer the benzodiazepine but withhold the opioid
• D. Continue the medication dosages that relieve the client's pain

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to contact the provider about replacing the opioid with an NSAID. In this scenario, the client is experiencing excessive sedation after the administration of both opioid and benzodiazepine. Switching to a non-opioid analgesic like an NSAID can help manage pain effectively without causing additional sedation. Option A is incorrect because continuing the opioid may exacerbate sedation. Option C is incorrect as administering the benzodiazepine may further increase sedation. Option D is incorrect because maintaining the current medication dosages that are causing excessive sedation is not in the client's best interest.

2. Which of the following assessment tools is used to determine the patient's level of consciousness?

• A. The Snellen Scale
• B. The Norton Scale
• C. The Morse Scale
• D. The Glasgow Scale

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, The Glasgow Scale. The Glasgow Coma Scale is specifically designed to assess a patient's level of consciousness by evaluating eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the Snellen Scale is used for vision testing, the Norton Scale is used for assessing the risk of pressure sores, and the Morse Scale is used for evaluating a patient's risk of falling, not for determining the level of consciousness.

3. Most water leaves the body by way of the:

• A. Lungs
• B. Intestines
• C. Skin
• D. Kidneys

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Most water leaves the body through the kidneys. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste and excess substances from the blood to form urine, which is then excreted out of the body. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while a small amount of water can be lost through respiration, feces, and sweating, the primary organ responsible for regulating water balance and excretion is the kidneys.

4. The doctor has ordered 500 mg of a medication PO once a day. The tablets on hand are labeled as 1 tablet = 250 mg. How many tablets will you administer to your patient?

• A. 1 Tablet
• B. 2 Tablets
• C. 3 Tablets
• D. 4 Tablets

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To calculate the number of tablets needed, divide the total dosage prescribed (500 mg) by the dosage per tablet (250 mg per tablet). 500 mg / 250 mg per tablet = 2 tablets. Therefore, the correct answer is 2 tablets. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not accurately reflect the correct calculation based on the provided information.

5. Low birth weight is defined as a newborn's weight of:

• A. 2500 grams or less at birth, regardless of gestational age.
• B. 1500 grams or less at birth, regardless of gestational age.
• C. 2500 grams or less at birth, according to gestational age.
• D. 1500 grams or less at birth, according to gestational age.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Low birth weight is defined as 2500 grams or less at birth, regardless of gestational age. This means that any newborn weighing 2500 grams or less is considered to have a low birth weight, irrespective of how many weeks they were in the womb. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they specify a weight of 1500 grams or less, which is not the standard definition of low birth weight. The correct definition is 2500 grams or less, not influenced by gestational age.

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