Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who is undergoing surgery for a hip fracture. What is a priority intervention to reduce the risk of postoperative complications?

• A. Encourage early ambulation
• B. Provide intravenous antibiotics
• C. Apply anti-embolism stockings
• D. Place a Foley catheter to monitor output

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Encouraging early ambulation is crucial in reducing the risk of postoperative complications, such as blood clots and pneumonia. Early mobilization helps prevent complications like deep vein thrombosis and pneumonia by promoting circulation and preventing respiratory complications. Providing intravenous antibiotics (Choice B) is important for preventing infections but is not the priority immediately post-surgery. Applying anti-embolism stockings (Choice C) is beneficial in preventing venous thromboembolism but does not address the immediate need for mobility. Placing a Foley catheter (Choice D) may be necessary during surgery but is not a priority intervention to reduce postoperative complications related to immobility.

2. A client with diabetes mellitus has a foot ulcer. What is an appropriate intervention to promote wound healing?

• A. Apply a heating pad to the wound
• B. Apply a moisture-retentive dressing
• C. Provide daily wound irrigation
• D. Apply an ice pack to the wound

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to apply a moisture-retentive dressing. This type of dressing promotes a moist wound environment, which is crucial for wound healing. Applying a heating pad can lead to tissue damage, while daily wound irrigation can disrupt the wound healing process. Applying an ice pack is not recommended for promoting wound healing in this scenario.

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 reviewing the lab report of a client who has been experiencing a fever for the last 3 days. What lab result indicates the client is experiencing fluid volume deficit (FVD)?

• A. Decreased BUN levels
• B. Increased hematocrit
• C. Increased white blood cell count
• D. Decreased hematocrit

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Increased hematocrit. Increased hematocrit indicates hemoconcentration, which is a sign of fluid volume deficit. When there is a decrease in fluid volume in the body, the blood becomes more concentrated, leading to an increase in hematocrit levels. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because decreased BUN levels, increased white blood cell count, and decreased hematocrit are not indicative of fluid volume deficit.

5. A healthcare professional is planning to administer an intramuscular injection to a client. What muscle should the healthcare professional choose to avoid injury?

• A. Deltoid
• B. Ventrogluteal
• C. Rectus femoris
• D. Dorsogluteal

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The ventrogluteal muscle is the preferred site for intramuscular injections to avoid injury. Choosing the ventrogluteal site reduces the risk of injury to major nerves and blood vessels, unlike the deltoid, rectus femoris, or dorsogluteal sites. The deltoid muscle is commonly used for vaccines but has a higher risk of injury due to its proximity to the radial nerve. The rectus femoris muscle is not recommended for intramuscular injections due to its location and the risk of injury. The dorsogluteal site is also not recommended as it poses a risk of injury to the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal artery.

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