Nursing Elites

1. A client with COPD is being cared for by a nurse. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

• A. Administer oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula
• B. Encourage pursed-lip breathing
• C. Position the client in high Fowler's position
• D. Encourage deep breathing and coughing

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client with COPD is to encourage pursed-lip breathing. Pursed-lip breathing helps maintain airway patency by preventing the collapse of small airways during exhalation, improving breathing efficiency. Administering oxygen at 2 L/min via nasal cannula may be appropriate for some COPD patients but is not the priority intervention. Positioning the client in high Fowler's position may help improve breathing but is not as specific as pursed-lip breathing for COPD. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing may be beneficial in other respiratory conditions, but it is not the most effective intervention for COPD.

2. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client who has a prescription for the use of oxygen in his home. Which of the following should the nurse teach the client about using oxygen safely in his home?

• A. Family members who smoke should be at least 10 ft away from the client when oxygen is in use
• B. Nail polish should not be used near a client who is receiving oxygen
• C. A 'No Smoking' sign should be placed on the front door
• D. Cotton bedding and clothing should be replaced with items made from wool

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Placing a 'No Smoking' sign on the front door is crucial for fire safety when using oxygen at home. Choice A is incorrect as family members who smoke should not be around the client when oxygen is in use, not just at a distance. Choice B is not directly related to oxygen safety. Choice D is also irrelevant as the type of bedding and clothing material does not impact oxygen safety.

3. A nurse is assessing a client who has a brainstem injury. The nurse should expect the client to exhibit which of the following findings?

• A. Decerebrate posturing.
• B. Hypervigilance.
• C. Absence of deep tendon reflexes.
• D. Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Decerebrate posturing. Decerebrate posturing is an abnormal body posture characterized by rigid extension of the arms and legs, which indicates severe brainstem injury affecting the midbrain and pons. This posture suggests dysfunction or damage to neural pathways controlling muscle tone. Choice B, hypervigilance, is not typically associated with brainstem injury but rather with increased alertness and arousal. Choice C, absence of deep tendon reflexes, is not a specific finding related to brainstem injury. Choice D, a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15, indicates a fully awake and alert state, which is not expected in a client with a brainstem injury.

4. A healthcare professional is caring for a client with coronary artery disease (CAD) who is prescribed aspirin. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional report to the provider?

• A. A history of gastrointestinal bleeding
• B. A history of hypertension
• C. A platelet count of 180,000/mm³
• D. A prothrombin time (PT) of 12 seconds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: A history of gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding are at increased risk of complications when taking aspirin due to its effects on platelet function and the gastrointestinal tract. Reporting this finding to the provider is crucial to ensure patient safety. Choices B, C, and D are not directly related to the increased risk associated with aspirin use in patients with a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, making them less relevant in this scenario. While monitoring platelet count and PT are important in patients taking aspirin, a history of gastrointestinal bleeding takes precedence as it directly impacts the safety and effectiveness of aspirin therapy in this client.

5. What is an essential nursing intervention for a client experiencing delirium?

• A. Control behavioral symptoms with low-dose psychotropics
• B. Identify the underlying causative condition
• C. Increase environmental stimulation
• D. Administer antipsychotic medication

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B - 'Identify the underlying causative condition.' When a client is experiencing delirium, it is crucial to determine the root cause of this acute change in mental status. This can involve a thorough assessment to identify any medical conditions, medications, infections, or environmental factors that may be contributing to the delirium. By pinpointing the underlying cause, appropriate interventions can be implemented to address the specific issue. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because controlling behavioral symptoms with low-dose psychotropics, increasing environmental stimulation, and administering antipsychotic medication do not target the primary need of identifying and addressing the causative condition of delirium.

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