a nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who has developed pulmonary edema what is the nurses priority action
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI Capstone Comprehensive Assessment B

1. A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who has developed pulmonary edema. What is the nurse's priority action?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to place the patient in a high Fowler's position. This position helps improve lung expansion and oxygenation in cases of pulmonary edema by reducing venous return to the heart and enhancing respiratory mechanics. Administering a diuretic (Choice A) can be important but is not the priority over positioning in this situation. Administering oxygen (Choice C) is essential, but the priority action for improving oxygenation is the positioning of the patient. Monitoring lung sounds (Choice D) is crucial for ongoing assessment but is not the priority action when the patient is in distress with pulmonary edema.

2. A client with pneumonia is receiving oxygen therapy. Which of the following oxygen delivery devices should be used to deliver a precise oxygen concentration?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A Venturi mask should be used to deliver a precise oxygen concentration to a client with pneumonia. Venturi masks are designed to deliver a specific oxygen concentration by mixing oxygen with room air in a precise ratio. This device is ideal for patients who require accurate oxygen delivery, such as those with chronic lung diseases. Nasal cannulas deliver a lower concentration of oxygen and are more suitable for patients with mild respiratory issues. Simple face masks and non-rebreather masks do not provide as precise control over the oxygen concentration as a Venturi mask.

3. A client had a left hip arthroplasty. Which of the following interventions should the nurse use to prevent dislocation?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to maintain a foam wedge between the legs. This intervention helps prevent hip dislocation by maintaining proper leg alignment after surgery. Monitoring for shortening of the affected leg (choice B) is not directly related to preventing dislocation. Encouraging the use of elastic stockings (choice C) is more related to preventing deep vein thrombosis rather than dislocation. Avoiding flexing the hips more than 60 degrees (choice D) is important post-surgery, but it is not the most direct intervention to prevent dislocation.

4. A nurse manager is asked to select clients for early discharge from the unit following a mass casualty event. Which of the following clients should the nurse manager recommend?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse manager should recommend the client awaiting a screening colonoscopy later that day for early discharge following a mass casualty event. This client is stable and not in immediate need of hospital care. Choices B, C, and D involve clients who require ongoing monitoring and care due to recent developments or treatments, making them unsuitable for early discharge during a mass casualty event.

5. A healthcare provider is reviewing a client's lab results. Which of the following lab values should the provider report?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Sodium 126 mEq/L. A sodium level of 126 mEq/L is below the normal range, indicating hyponatremia, which can have serious health implications and should be reported to the healthcare provider for further evaluation and intervention. Choices A, B, and D are within or close to the normal ranges for magnesium, potassium, and chloride, respectively, and do not require immediate reporting as they are not significantly abnormal.

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