Nursing Elites

1. A patient is 1 day postoperative following a hip arthroplasty. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent dislocation of the hip?

• A. Keep the patient in a side-lying position.
• B. Place a pillow between the patient's legs.
• C. Instruct the patient to avoid sitting for long periods.
• D. Elevate the head of the bed to 90 degrees.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Placing a pillow between the patient's legs is the correct action to prevent dislocation of the hip following arthroplasty. This technique helps maintain proper alignment and stability of the hip joint. Keeping the patient in a side-lying position may not provide the necessary support to prevent hip dislocation. Instructing the patient to avoid sitting for long periods is important for preventing complications like deep vein thrombosis but does not directly prevent hip dislocation. Elevating the head of the bed to 90 degrees is not relevant to preventing hip dislocation in a postoperative hip arthroplasty patient.

2. A nurse is planning care for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to assess first?

• A. A client who has a fractured femur and reports feeling short of breath.
• B. A client who is postoperative and has abdominal distention.
• C. A client who is receiving IV fluids and has a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F).
• D. A client who has cancer and has been receiving radiation therapy.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. A client with a fractured femur and reports feeling short of breath is at risk for a fat embolism, which is a medical emergency. The nurse should assess this client first to rule out this serious complication. Choice B may indicate paralytic ileus, which is important but not immediately life-threatening compared to a fat embolism. Choice C has a fever, which indicates infection but is not as urgent as a potential fat embolism. Choice D, a client receiving radiation therapy, is not experiencing an acute, life-threatening complication that requires immediate assessment compared to a fat embolism.

3. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a history of angina and is scheduled for surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
• B. Blood pressure of 138/84 mm Hg
• C. Platelet count of 150,000/mm³
• D. INR of 2.0

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. An INR of 2.0 is within the therapeutic range for clients receiving warfarin. It is crucial to report this finding to the provider before surgery to ensure appropriate management and potential adjustments to prevent excessive bleeding risks. Choices A, B, and C are within normal limits and do not directly impact the client's surgery preparation or risk for bleeding, so they do not require immediate reporting.

4. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient with hyperkalemia?

• A. Administer calcium gluconate
• B. Administer insulin
• C. Administer sodium bicarbonate
• D. Administer a diuretic

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer calcium gluconate. In hyperkalemia, the priority is to protect the heart from potential complications like arrhythmias. Calcium gluconate is the first-line treatment as it stabilizes the cardiac cell membrane. Insulin (Choice B) and sodium bicarbonate (Choice C) can be used in conjunction with other treatments to shift potassium into cells, but calcium gluconate is the priority. Administering a diuretic (Choice D) is not the primary intervention for hyperkalemia and can even worsen the condition by reducing potassium excretion.

5. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient's pain level post-surgery?

• A. Use a pain rating scale
• B. Check vital signs
• C. Observe for non-verbal cues
• D. Check for abnormal breath sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Using a pain rating scale is the most appropriate method to assess a patient's pain level post-surgery. Pain rating scales provide a standardized way for patients to communicate their pain intensity, allowing for accurate assessment and effective pain management. Checking vital signs (choice B) is important for monitoring a patient's overall health status but may not directly reflect their pain level. Observing for non-verbal cues (choice C) is valuable, but it may not always provide a clear indication of the pain intensity. Checking for abnormal breath sounds (choice D) is relevant for assessing respiratory status but does not directly evaluate the patient's pain level.

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