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 client complains of pain in the leg while in skeletal traction. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Increase the pain medication immediately
• B. Check for signs of infection
• C. Reposition the client's leg for comfort
• D. Notify the physician of the client's complaints

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Check for signs of infection. In skeletal traction, the priority action for the nurse when a client complains of pain in the leg is to first assess for signs of infection. Pain in skeletal traction can be a symptom of infection or other complications, so checking for signs of infection is crucial before considering other interventions. Increasing pain medication immediately (Choice A) may mask the symptoms of an underlying infection. Repositioning the client's leg for comfort (Choice C) may provide temporary relief but does not address the potential underlying issue. Notifying the physician of the client's complaints (Choice D) is important but assessing for infection should come first to ensure timely and appropriate intervention.

3. A nurse manager of a rural clinic is orienting a new employee. Which of the following information should the nurse include as a characteristic of rural health?

• A. Lower rates of maternal morbidity
• B. Reduced incidence of death from motor-vehicle crashes
• C. Increased rates of chronic illness
• D. More frequent dental preventative care visits

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Increased rates of chronic illness.' Rural areas often face challenges such as limited access to healthcare services, healthcare provider shortages, socioeconomic factors, and lifestyle choices that contribute to higher rates of chronic illnesses. Maternal morbidity rates are typically higher in rural areas due to limited access to obstetric care. While rural areas may have fewer motor-vehicle crashes compared to urban areas, the severity of crashes is usually higher due to factors like longer emergency response times. Dental care access can also be limited in rural areas, leading to less frequent preventative care visits.

4. A patient with chronic kidney disease has been prescribed a low-protein diet. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

• A. Encourage the patient to eat small, frequent meals.
• B. Monitor the patient's intake and output.
• C. Educate the patient on the benefits of a low-protein diet.
• D. Monitor the patient's protein intake closely.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the patient's protein intake closely. In patients with chronic kidney disease on a low-protein diet, monitoring protein intake is crucial to prevent complications such as malnutrition or inadequate nutrient intake. Encouraging small, frequent meals (Choice A) can be beneficial but is not the priority over monitoring protein intake. Monitoring intake and output (Choice B) is important but does not directly address the specific focus on protein intake. Educating the patient on the benefits of a low-protein diet (Choice C) is essential but not as immediate as monitoring the actual protein intake.

5. Which intervention is essential when caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube?

• A. Suction the NG tube every 4 hours.
• B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
• C. Flush the NG tube with water before and after each medication administration.
• D. Remove the NG tube once the patient feels comfortable.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Checking the placement of the NG tube before each feeding is crucial to ensure it is correctly positioned and safe to use. Option A is incorrect as routine suctioning can lead to complications and should only be done as needed. Option C is not necessary unless there are specific instructions for flushing. Option D is incorrect as the NG tube should only be removed by healthcare professionals based on medical criteria, not solely based on the patient's comfort.

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