Nursing Elites

1. A nurse in the emergency department is caring for a patient who has extensive partial and full-thickness burns of the head, neck, and chest. While planning the patient’s care, the nurse should identify which of the following risks as the priority for assessment and intervention?

• A. Infection
• B. Airway obstruction
• C. Fluid imbalance
• D. Pain management

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a patient has extensive burns involving the head, neck, and chest, the priority concern is airway obstruction. The proximity of the burns to the airway can lead to swelling and compromise the patient's ability to breathe. In this situation, ensuring a clear airway and adequate oxygenation takes precedence over other risks such as infection, fluid imbalance, or pain management. While these are also important considerations in burn care, the immediate threat to the patient's life from airway compromise makes it the priority for assessment and intervention.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking warfarin. The nurse notes that the client has a new prescription for amoxicillin. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse monitor closely?

• A. Serum potassium
• B. Prothrombin time (PT)
• C. Serum sodium
• D. Blood glucose

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Prothrombin time (PT). Amoxicillin can potentiate the effects of warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding. Monitoring the prothrombin time (PT) is crucial in this situation to assess the client's clotting ability. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because amoxicillin's interaction with warfarin does not directly impact serum potassium, serum sodium, or blood glucose levels.

3. A nurse is performing a vaginal exam on a client who is in active labor. The nurse notes the umbilical cord protruding through the cervix. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Administer oxytocin to the client via intravenous infusion
• B. Apply oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
• C. Prepare for insertion of an intrauterine pressure catheter
• D. Assist the client into the knee-chest position

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The nurse should assist the client into the knee-chest position to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord. This position helps to prevent cord compression and improves fetal oxygenation. Administering oxytocin (Choice A) could worsen the situation by increasing contractions and potentially compressing the umbilical cord. Applying oxygen (Choice B) is not the priority in this emergency situation. Preparing for insertion of an intrauterine pressure catheter (Choice C) is not appropriate as the immediate concern is relieving pressure on the umbilical cord.

4. A nurse enters a client's room and sees smoke coming from the trash can. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Close the window
• B. Evacuate the room
• C. Call the fire department
• D. Attempt to extinguish the fire

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to evacuate the room first. In a fire situation, the priority is safety, following the RACE protocol: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish. Evacuating the room ensures the safety of both the client and the nurse. Closing the window (Choice A) can wait until after evacuation when there is no immediate danger. Calling the fire department (Choice C) is important but comes after ensuring personal safety and evacuating. Attempting to extinguish the fire (Choice D) is not recommended as it can put the nurse and the client at risk; firefighting should be left to professionals.

5. A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of losartan. Which of the following should the nurse assess first?

• A. Blood pressure
• B. Heart rate
• C. Serum potassium
• D. Liver function

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess blood pressure first. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker used to lower blood pressure. Assessing the patient's blood pressure before administering losartan is crucial to ensure it is not already too low, which could lead to hypotension. Assessing heart rate (choice B) is important but not the priority when administering losartan. Serum potassium levels (choice C) and liver function (choice D) are also important assessments, but they are not the primary concern before administering losartan.

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