Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Which finding is most concerning?

• A. Mild redness at the incision site.
• B. Increased drainage from the surgical site.
• C. Fever of 101°F.
• D. Normal white blood cell count.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A fever of 101°F is the most concerning finding when assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Fever can indicate an inflammatory response to an infection, and in a postoperative patient, it can signal a surgical site infection or a systemic infection. Prompt attention is necessary to prevent complications such as sepsis. Mild redness at the incision site and increased drainage can be expected in the early postoperative period due to the normal healing process. A normal white blood cell count does not rule out infection as it can be influenced by various factors, and some infections may not initially cause a rise in white blood cells.

2. A healthcare provider is reviewing the laboratory report of a client who is receiving heparin therapy for a deep vein thrombosis. Which of the following lab values indicates a therapeutic response to the therapy?

• A. PT of 12 seconds
• B. aPTT of 70 seconds
• C. Platelets of 150,000/mm3
• D. INR of 1.5

Correct answer: B

Rationale: An aPTT of 70 seconds is within the therapeutic range for a client receiving heparin therapy. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is the most sensitive test to monitor heparin therapy. A therapeutic aPTT range for a client receiving heparin is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the control value. Choices A, C, and D are not indicators of a therapeutic response to heparin therapy. PT measures the extrinsic pathway of coagulation and is not specific to monitoring heparin therapy. Platelet count is important to monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, but it does not indicate the therapeutic response to heparin therapy. INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy, not heparin therapy.

3. A healthcare professional is reviewing the notes written by a previous shift. Which documentation reflects proper guidelines?

• A. Incomplete entries are acceptable as long as they are justified
• B. Documentation should include objective observations only
• C. Corrections in documentation should be signed and dated
• D. Entries should be modified by another healthcare professional if necessary

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Proper documentation should include objective observations and detailed notes to ensure continuity of care. Choice A is incorrect because incomplete entries can lead to gaps in information and compromise patient care. Choice C is not completely accurate as corrections should be made in a manner that does not obscure the original entry but does not necessarily require a signature. Choice D is incorrect as entries should ideally be corrected by the original author to maintain accountability and accuracy.

4. A patient is prescribed a diuretic for hypertension. What is the most important assessment the nurse should perform?

• A. Monitor the patient's respiratory rate.
• B. Check the patient's blood pressure regularly.
• C. Monitor the patient's potassium levels.
• D. Monitor the patient's sodium levels.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: When a patient is prescribed a diuretic for hypertension, monitoring the patient's sodium levels is crucial. Diuretics can lead to alterations in sodium levels, potentially causing complications like hyponatremia. While monitoring other parameters like respiratory rate, blood pressure, and potassium levels may also be important, the primary concern with diuretic therapy is the risk of sodium imbalance, making the monitoring of sodium levels the most critical assessment.

5. A patient has impaired skin integrity, and a nurse is providing care. What action should the nurse take to promote healing?

• A. Apply a dry, sterile dressing to the wound.
• B. Use sterile saline to clean the wound.
• C. Apply a warm compress to promote circulation.
• D. Keep the wound open to air for faster healing.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action to promote healing in a patient with impaired skin integrity is to use sterile saline to clean the wound. Sterile saline helps prevent infection and promotes healing of wounds by keeping the area clean. Applying a dry, sterile dressing (Choice A) may not be effective as it does not address the need for wound cleaning. Applying a warm compress (Choice C) may not be suitable for all types of wounds and could potentially cause harm. Keeping the wound open to air (Choice D) is generally not recommended as it can lead to infection and slow down the healing process.

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