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 nurse is teaching a client about signs of infection after surgery. What statement indicates further teaching is required?

• A. Redness and swelling are normal after surgery
• B. Any drainage from the incision site is not concerning
• C. Yellow drainage is normal
• D. I should monitor for increased redness or warmth

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Any drainage from the incision site should be monitored, and any signs of infection, such as increased redness or warmth, need to be reported to the healthcare provider. Choices A, C, and D provide accurate information about signs of infection after surgery and do not indicate a need for further teaching.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin subcutaneously to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Inject at a 90-degree angle
• B. Inject at a 45-degree angle
• C. Massage the injection site after administering
• D. Use a longer needle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to inject enoxaparin subcutaneously at a 45-degree angle. This angle helps ensure proper delivery of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue. Option A (Inject at a 90-degree angle) is incorrect because subcutaneous injections are usually given at a shallower angle. Option C (Massage the injection site after administering) is incorrect as massaging the site can cause bruising and should generally be avoided. Option D (Use a longer needle) is incorrect as using a longer needle is unnecessary and may increase the risk of injecting the medication too deeply.

4. A client with a history of seizures is admitted for monitoring. What should the nurse prioritize?

• A. Ensure the client is on seizure precautions.
• B. Educate the client about seizure triggers.
• C. Monitor for signs of an impending seizure.
• D. Initiate IV access for anti-seizure medication.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to ensure the client is on seizure precautions. This is crucial in preventing injury during a seizure episode. While educating the client about seizure triggers (choice B) is important for long-term management, it is not the priority when the client is admitted for monitoring. Monitoring for signs of an impending seizure (choice C) is essential but does not address immediate safety concerns. Initiating IV access for anti-seizure medication (choice D) is not the priority unless a seizure occurs and medical intervention is needed.

5. A nurse is caring for a patient postoperatively after a thyroidectomy. Which of the following findings should be reported immediately?

• A. Hoarseness
• B. Difficulty swallowing
• C. Numbness in the fingers
• D. Tingling around the mouth

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Tingling around the mouth should be reported immediately as it may indicate hypocalcemia, a serious complication resulting from accidental removal or damage to the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy. Hoarseness and difficulty swallowing are common post-thyroidectomy symptoms related to the surgery itself and the manipulation of the vocal cords and nearby structures. Numbness in the fingers is not typically associated with immediate serious complications of a thyroidectomy.

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