Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal. Which of the following medications should the nurse plan to administer?

• A. Lorazepam
• B. Atenolol
• C. Naltrexone
• D. Methadone

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Lorazepam is the correct choice for managing acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms due to its effectiveness in controlling agitation and tremors associated with this condition. Atenolol (Choice B) is a beta-blocker mainly used for hypertension and angina, not for alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Naltrexone (Choice C) is used for alcohol dependence treatment by reducing cravings and the rewarding effects of alcohol, but it is not typically used in acute withdrawal situations. Methadone (Choice D) is an opioid agonist mainly used for opioid detoxification and maintenance therapy, not for alcohol withdrawal.

2. A nurse is planning care for a client who is 1 day postoperative following a total knee arthroplasty. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

• A. Keep the affected leg elevated as needed.
• B. Apply ice packs to the affected knee as prescribed.
• C. Encourage the client to ambulate as soon as possible.
• D. Perform range-of-motion exercises as instructed.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Encouraging the client to ambulate as soon as possible is essential in preventing complications like deep vein thrombosis post knee arthroplasty. While keeping the affected leg elevated and applying ice packs can be beneficial in certain situations, early ambulation takes precedence in this case. Performing range-of-motion exercises hourly may not be necessary and could potentially cause more harm than good if not done correctly or excessively.

3. A client receiving morphine via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) should have naloxone administered if their respiratory rate is below 10/min. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Monitor the client's blood pressure every 4 hours.
• B. Ask the client to rate their pain every 2 hours.
• C. Administer naloxone if the client's respiratory rate is below 10/min.
• D. Evaluate the client's use of the PCA every 4 hours.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to administer naloxone if the client's respiratory rate falls below 10/min. Naloxone is used to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression, which is a life-threatening situation. Monitoring the client's blood pressure every 4 hours (Choice A) is not the priority in this scenario as respiratory depression requires immediate attention. Asking the client to rate their pain every 2 hours (Choice B) is important for pain management but addressing respiratory depression takes precedence. Evaluating the client's use of the PCA every 4 hours (Choice D) is a routine nursing intervention but does not directly address the urgent need to reverse respiratory depression in this case.

4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client following a cholecystectomy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. I should avoid lifting objects heavier than 5 pounds for 1 week.
• B. I can resume my usual activities after 2 weeks.
• C. I should expect to have pain in my right shoulder.
• D. I should follow a low-protein diet for 1 week.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Pain in the right shoulder after a cholecystectomy is common due to residual gas from the procedure. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. It is important to avoid heavy lifting for a longer period than just 1 week to prevent complications. Resuming usual activities after 2 weeks may not be appropriate depending on the individual's recovery. Following a low-protein diet is not a standard recommendation post-cholecystectomy.

5. A healthcare professional is reviewing the medical record of a client scheduled for a CT scan with contrast media. The healthcare professional should identify which of the following findings as a contraindication to the procedure?

• A. White blood cell count of 6,000/mm³
• B. Urine specific gravity of 1.025
• C. History of asthma
• D. History of allergy to shellfish

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, a history of allergy to shellfish. A known allergy to shellfish is a contraindication for the use of contrast media in a CT scan due to the potential risk of an allergic reaction, which could be severe and life-threatening. Choices A, B, and C are not contraindications to the procedure. A normal white blood cell count, urine specific gravity within the normal range, and a history of asthma do not typically interfere with the administration of contrast media for a CT scan.

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