Nursing Elites

1. What action should the healthcare provider take for a patient with a chest tube?

• A. Strip the drainage tubing every 4 hours.
• B. Keep the drainage system below the level of the patient's chest.
• C. Clamp the chest tube when ambulating the patient.
• D. Ensure the water seal chamber is filled to the prescribed level.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Ensuring the water seal chamber is filled to the prescribed level is essential for the chest tube's effective functioning. This maintains the integrity of the system, prevents air from entering the pleural space, and facilitates proper drainage. Stripping the drainage tubing, keeping the drainage system below the chest level, or clamping the chest tube during ambulation are not recommended practices and can lead to complications.

2. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Take your pulse before taking the medication.
• B. Take the medication with an antacid.
• C. Double the dose if you miss one.
• D. Take the medication with a high-fiber meal.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Take your pulse before taking the medication.' When administering digoxin, it is crucial to monitor the pulse rate because digoxin can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate). Checking the pulse helps in assessing the heart rate before taking the medication, as bradycardia is a common side effect of digoxin. Choice B is incorrect because digoxin should not be taken with antacids, as they can reduce its absorption. Choice C is incorrect; the dose should never be doubled if a dose is missed. Choice D is incorrect because taking digoxin with a high-fiber meal can also affect its absorption. Therefore, the essential instruction for the client is to monitor the pulse before taking digoxin.

3. During tracheostomy care, what action should a healthcare professional take?

• A. Use clean technique to remove the inner cannula.
• B. Remove the outer cannula for cleaning.
• C. Soak the inner cannula in normal saline.
• D. Change tracheostomy ties if they are wet.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Changing tracheostomy ties if they are wet is essential to prevent infection and maintain skin integrity. Wet ties can harbor bacteria, increasing the risk of skin breakdown and other complications. Regularly changing wet ties promotes cleanliness, reduces the likelihood of complications, and ensures optimal care for the client with a tracheostomy.

4. A client is being discharged with a prescription for furosemide. Which of the following instructions should be included?

• A. Avoid foods high in potassium.
• B. Monitor your weight daily.
• C. Take the medication with food.
• D. Change positions slowly.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct instruction to include for a client being discharged with a prescription for furosemide is to 'Change positions slowly.' Furosemide, a diuretic, can cause dizziness and orthostatic hypotension, increasing the risk of falls. By advising the client to change positions slowly, the body can adjust to postural changes gradually, reducing the likelihood of falls and related injuries.

5. A healthcare professional is supervising a newly licensed colleague who is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which of the following actions by the newly licensed colleague requires intervention?

• A. Selecting a 25-gauge needle
• B. Administering the injection at a 45° angle
• C. Using the ventrogluteal site for the injection
• D. Aspirating for blood return before injecting the medication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Administering an intramuscular injection at a 90° angle is essential for proper medication delivery into the muscle tissue. Injecting at a 45° angle is incorrect for intramuscular injections and is typically used for subcutaneous injections where the needle is inserted into the fatty tissue layer beneath the skin. Choice A is correct as selecting a 25-gauge needle is appropriate for an intramuscular injection. Choice C is also correct as the ventrogluteal site is a suitable site for intramuscular injections. Choice D is correct as aspirating for blood return is a necessary step to ensure the needle is not in a blood vessel before injecting the medication.

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