Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a narcotic medication. What should the nurse do with the unused portion after administration?

• A. Store it in the medication cart for later use
• B. Discard it with a witness present
• C. Return it to the pharmacy
• D. Report it to the provider

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take with the unused portion of a narcotic medication after administration is to discard it with a witness present. This procedure is necessary to comply with controlled substance regulations and prevent diversion or misuse of the medication. Storing it in the medication cart for later use is inappropriate as it can lead to unauthorized access. Returning it to the pharmacy is not recommended as the medication has already been dispensed. Reporting it to the provider is not the standard procedure for disposing of controlled substances.

2. A nurse in an emergency department is monitoring the hydration status of a client receiving oral rehydration. What finding should the nurse intervene for?

• A. Heart rate of 80 beats per minute
• B. Heart rate of 120 beats per minute
• C. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
• D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A heart rate of 120 beats per minute indicates tachycardia, which can be a sign of dehydration and requires intervention. A heart rate of 80 beats per minute is within the normal range and does not indicate dehydration. A blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg is considered normal. A respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute is also within the normal range and does not point towards dehydration.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer enteral feedings to a client with a nasogastric (NG) tube. What action should the nurse take first?

• A. Measure the residual gastric volume
• B. Verify tube placement
• C. Flush the tube with 100 mL of water
• D. Administer the feeding in small boluses

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the crucial initial step a nurse should take before administering enteral feedings through an NG tube. This step ensures that the tube is correctly positioned in the stomach, reducing the risk of complications such as aspiration. Measuring residual gastric volume, flushing the tube with water, or administering the feeding in small boluses are all important steps in enteral feeding but should only be done after confirming the correct tube placement.

4. A nurse is updating the plan of care for a client with limited mobility. What intervention should the nurse include to prevent skin breakdown?

• A. Reposition the client every 4 hours
• B. Apply lotion to the skin every 2 hours
• C. Use a special mattress to reduce pressure on the skin
• D. Increase fluid intake to promote skin hydration

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Use a special mattress to reduce pressure on the skin.' This intervention is crucial in preventing skin breakdown in clients with limited mobility as it helps to reduce pressure on bony prominences. Repositioning every 4 hours (Choice A) is important but may not be sufficient to prevent skin breakdown entirely. Applying lotion every 2 hours (Choice B) may not address the root cause of skin breakdown related to pressure. Increasing fluid intake (Choice D) is beneficial for overall skin health but may not directly prevent skin breakdown caused by pressure points.

5. A healthcare provider is preparing to perform a routine abdominal assessment. What action should the healthcare provider take first?

• A. Inspect the abdomen
• B. Auscultate bowel sounds
• C. Palpate the abdomen
• D. Percuss the abdomen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct first action in a routine abdominal assessment is to inspect the abdomen. This allows the healthcare provider to visually assess for any visible abnormalities such as scars, distention, or masses. Auscultating bowel sounds comes after inspection as the second step to assess bowel motility. Palpation and percussion follow in the sequence of a comprehensive abdominal assessment. Therefore, inspecting the abdomen is the priority to gather initial information before proceeding with further assessment techniques.

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