Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and notices clots in the client's urinary catheter and decreased urinary output. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Administer an antispasmodic
• B. Irrigate the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation
• C. Apply gentle manual pressure to the bladder
• D. Clamp the catheter tubing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should irrigate the catheter with 0.9% sodium chloride irrigation. This action helps clear the clots in the catheter and restore proper urine flow after a TURP. Administering an antispasmodic (Choice A) is not the appropriate action for clots in the catheter and decreased urinary output. Applying gentle manual pressure to the bladder (Choice C) or clamping the catheter tubing (Choice D) could potentially worsen the situation by causing bladder distention or preventing urine drainage.

2. A nurse on a medical unit is preparing to discharge a client to home. Which of the following actions should the nurse take as part of the medication reconciliation process?

• A. Discontinue current medications
• B. Write new prescriptions
• C. Compare prescriptions with the client’s medications
• D. Ask the client to decide

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action in the medication reconciliation process is to compare prescriptions with the client’s medications. This step ensures that there are no conflicting medications prescribed, reducing the risk of adverse drug interactions. Discontinuing current medications or writing new prescriptions without comparing them can lead to errors and potential harm. Asking the client to decide is not appropriate in this context as it is the nurse's responsibility to ensure medication safety based on professional judgment and knowledge.

3. A nurse is caring for a patient with an infection. Which laboratory result is most important to monitor?

• A. White blood cell count (WBC)
• B. C-reactive protein (CRP)
• C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• D. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: White blood cell count (WBC). Monitoring the white blood cell count is crucial when caring for a patient with an infection as it helps assess the body's response to the infection. An elevated white blood cell count often indicates an active infection or inflammation, while a decreasing count may signal improvement or potential complications. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are nonspecific markers of inflammation and not as specific to monitoring infection progression as the white blood cell count. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity and blood volume, but they are not the primary indicators for monitoring infection.

4. What are the nursing interventions for a patient with acute kidney injury (AKI)?

• A. Preparing the patient for dialysis if necessary
• B. Providing dietary modifications to reduce potassium
• C. Monitoring urine output and electrolytes
• D. Administering fluids and monitoring blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct nursing intervention for a patient with acute kidney injury (AKI) includes preparing the patient for dialysis if necessary. While choices B, C, and D are also important aspects of managing AKI, the critical intervention in severe cases is to prepare the patient for dialysis to support kidney function. Providing dietary modifications to reduce potassium, monitoring urine output and electrolytes, and administering fluids are essential components of the overall care plan for AKI patients, but in cases where the condition is severe or if conservative management fails, dialysis may be required to support the patient's kidney function and prevent further complications.

5. A healthcare provider writes a medication order that seems excessively high for the patient's condition. What is the nurse's first step?

• A. Administer the medication immediately.
• B. Hold the medication and consult the provider.
• C. Reduce the dose without consulting the provider.
• D. Administer the medication after double-checking with another nurse.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first step for the nurse when encountering a medication order that appears excessively high for the patient's condition is to hold the medication and consult the provider. Administering the medication immediately (Choice A) without clarification could pose a risk to the patient's safety. Reducing the dose without consulting the provider (Choice C) is not recommended as it may lead to suboptimal treatment. Administering the medication after double-checking with another nurse (Choice D) is not sufficient; consulting the provider directly is crucial to ensure the accuracy and safety of the medication order.

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