Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports a decrease in the effectiveness of their pain medication. What factor should the nurse identify as contributing to this decrease?

• A. History of frequent alcohol use
• B. Decreased physical activity
• C. Bowel inflammation
• D. History of opioid use

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Bowel inflammation. Bowel inflammation can interfere with the absorption of medications, including pain medication, leading to decreased effectiveness. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because although they can impact pain management in various ways, they are not directly related to the decreased effectiveness of pain medication due to absorption issues.

2. A nurse is assessing the IV infusion site of a client who reports pain at the site. The site is red, and there is warmth along the course of the vein. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Flush the IV line with saline
• B. Discontinue the infusion
• C. Elevate the limb
• D. Apply a cold compress

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to discontinue the infusion. The symptoms described - pain, redness, and warmth along the vein - are indicative of phlebitis, which is inflammation of the vein. Continuing the infusion can lead to further complications. Flushing the IV line, elevating the limb, or applying a cold compress do not address the underlying issue of phlebitis and may not be sufficient to resolve the problem. Therefore, the priority action is to discontinue the infusion to prevent worsening of the condition.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication through a nasogastric (NG) tube. What action should the nurse take first?

• A. Flush the NG tube with 60 mL of water
• B. Verify tube placement
• C. Crush the medications and dissolve them in water
• D. Administer all medications together

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the priority before administering any medications through a nasogastric tube. This step ensures that the tube is correctly positioned in the stomach to prevent complications such as aspiration. Flushing the tube with water, crushing medications, or administering them together should only be done after confirming the correct placement of the NG tube. Therefore, option B is the correct first action to take in this scenario.

4. A client who is at risk for developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after surgery. What intervention should the nurse implement to reduce this risk?

• A. Avoid ambulation to prevent injury
• B. Use compression stockings
• C. Use a heating pad for comfort
• D. Elevate the client's legs on a pillow

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct intervention to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after surgery is to use compression stockings. Compression stockings help prevent DVT by promoting venous return, which reduces the likelihood of blood pooling in the legs and forming clots. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because avoiding ambulation can actually increase the risk of DVT, using a heating pad does not directly address DVT prevention, and elevating the client's legs on a pillow alone may not provide sufficient compression to prevent DVT.

5. A client has a new prescription for a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). What instruction should the nurse include?

• A. Inhale the medication for 1 second
• B. Shake the inhaler vigorously before use
• C. Hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the mouth
• D. Exhale immediately after inhalation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for a client using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is to hold the inhaler 1-2 inches from the mouth. This distance allows for the proper delivery of the medication into the lungs. Choice A is incorrect because the duration of inhalation can vary depending on the medication, and 1 second may not be adequate. Choice B is incorrect as shaking the inhaler vigorously is not necessary for all MDIs and can lead to inaccurate dosing. Choice D is incorrect as the client should hold their breath for about 10 seconds after inhalation to allow the medication to deposit in the lungs.

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