a nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube in place which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent aspiration

ATI RN

ATI RN Exit Exam Test Bank

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a nasogastric tube in place. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent aspiration?

A. Elevate the head of the bed 45 degrees during feedings.
B. Place the client in the left lateral position for 30 minutes after feedings.
C. Flush the tube with 30 mL of sterile water before each feeding.
D. Check gastric residuals every 8 hours.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action to prevent aspiration in a client with a nasogastric tube is to elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees during feedings. This positioning helps reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents. Placing the client in the left lateral position after feedings does not directly prevent aspiration. Flushing the tube with sterile water before each feeding is important for tube patency but does not specifically prevent aspiration. Checking gastric residuals every 8 hours is necessary to monitor the client's tolerance to feedings but is not a direct preventive measure against aspiration.

2. A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of urinary incontinence. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A. Urine output of 50 mL in 2 hours
B. Presence of an indwelling urinary catheter
C. Frequent urination at night
D. Dark-colored urine

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, dark-colored urine. Dark-colored urine can indicate various issues such as dehydration, liver problems, or blood in the urine, which could be concerning and require further evaluation by the provider. Choices A, B, and C are not necessarily findings that would need immediate reporting to the provider. A urine output of 50 mL in 2 hours might be low but could be influenced by various factors and might not always require immediate action. The presence of an indwelling urinary catheter is a known history and not a new finding. Frequent urination at night could be a symptom related to various conditions but may not be an urgent concern unless accompanied by other significant symptoms.

3. What is the priority intervention for a patient presenting with chest pain?

A. Administer aspirin
B. Administer nitroglycerin
C. Reposition the patient
D. Prepare for surgery

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer aspirin. Administering aspirin is a priority intervention for a patient presenting with chest pain because it helps reduce the risk of further clot formation and improves oxygenation. Aspirin is commonly used in the initial management of suspected cardiac chest pain. Administering nitroglycerin can follow aspirin administration to help with vasodilation. Repositioning the patient or preparing for surgery are not the primary interventions for chest pain presentation.

4. How should bleeding in a patient on warfarin be monitored?

A. Monitor INR levels
B. Monitor hemoglobin levels
C. Monitor potassium levels
D. Monitor platelet count

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor INR levels. INR levels are the most critical indicator for monitoring bleeding risk in patients on warfarin. INR stands for International Normalized Ratio and specifically measures the clotting tendency of the blood. Monitoring hemoglobin levels, potassium levels, or platelet count are not as directly relevant to assessing bleeding risk in patients on warfarin.

5. A client receiving chemotherapy is being taught about infection prevention by a nurse. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

A. Wear a mask when gardening.
B. Avoid crowds to reduce the risk of infection.
C. You should take a daily vitamin to prevent infection.
D. Increase your intake of high-protein foods.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Avoid crowds to reduce the risk of infection.' Clients receiving chemotherapy are immunocompromised, so avoiding crowds can help decrease the likelihood of exposure to infections. Wearing a mask when gardening (choice A) is important but not directly related to infection prevention in the context of chemotherapy. Taking a daily vitamin (choice C) may be beneficial for overall health but is not specifically focused on infection prevention. Increasing intake of high-protein foods (choice D) is essential for nutrition but does not directly address infection prevention.