Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following an abdominal surgery. Which of the following assessments should the nurse prioritize?

• A. Assess the client's pain level.
• B. Monitor the client's respiratory rate.
• C. Measure the client's blood pressure.
• D. Check the client's bowel sounds.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor the client's respiratory rate. This assessment is crucial in the postoperative period to detect any respiratory complications such as hypoxia or respiratory distress. Assessing pain level (Choice A) is important but may not be the top priority as respiratory status takes precedence. Measuring blood pressure (Choice C) is also important but not as critical immediately postoperatively as monitoring respiratory function. Checking bowel sounds (Choice D) is relevant for assessing gastrointestinal function but is typically not the top priority in the immediate postoperative phase.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who is at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement?

• A. Massage the client's legs every 4 hours.
• B. Administer prophylactic antibiotics.
• C. Apply sequential compression devices to the client's legs.
• D. Encourage the client to remain on bed rest.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Applying sequential compression devices is the appropriate intervention for a client at risk for developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This intervention helps prevent venous stasis by promoting circulation in the lower extremities, reducing the risk of DVT. Massaging the client's legs every 4 hours is contraindicated as it can dislodge a blood clot and increase the risk of embolism. Administering prophylactic antibiotics is not indicated for preventing DVT. Encouraging the client to remain on bed rest can contribute to venous stasis and increase the risk of developing DVT.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for enoxaparin. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Inject the medication into the deltoid muscle
• B. Inject the medication deep into subcutaneous tissue
• C. Massage the injection site for 2 minutes after administration
• D. Insert the needle at a 10-degree angle

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take when administering enoxaparin is to inject the medication deep into subcutaneous tissue. This method helps ensure proper absorption of the medication and prevents tissue irritation. Injecting into the deltoid muscle (Choice A) is not recommended for enoxaparin administration. Massaging the injection site (Choice C) can lead to tissue damage and bruising. Inserting the needle at a 10-degree angle (Choice D) is not the correct technique for administering enoxaparin.

4. A nurse is planning care for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?

• A. Serum calcium level
• B. Blood glucose level
• C. Serum albumin level
• D. Serum sodium level

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Serum albumin level. Monitoring the serum albumin level helps assess the nutritional effectiveness of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Serum albumin is a protein that reflects the long-term nutritional status of a patient. Serum calcium level (choice A) is not directly related to TPN effectiveness. Blood glucose level (choice B) is important to monitor in diabetic patients but is not the primary indicator of TPN efficacy. Serum sodium level (choice D) is more related to fluid balance and electrolyte status rather than the effectiveness of TPN.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is 36 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Heart rate of 92/min
• B. Serosanguineous wound drainage
• C. Yellow wound drainage
• D. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Yellow wound drainage can indicate infection, especially 36 hours postoperative, and should be reported to the provider promptly. Serosanguineous drainage is a normal finding in the early stages of wound healing, and a heart rate of 92/min and a blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg are within normal ranges for a postoperative client. Therefore, the nurse should prioritize reporting the yellow wound drainage as it may require immediate intervention.

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