Nursing Elites

1. A patient is 1 hour postoperative following an open reduction internal fixation of the left tibia. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Assess neurovascular status of the extremities every 4 hours
• B. Monitor the patient's pain level every 8 hours
• C. Assist the patient to the bathroom every 2 hours
• D. Keep the patient's left leg elevated on two pillows

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take 1 hour postoperative following an open reduction internal fixation of the left tibia is to assess neurovascular status of the extremities every 4 hours. This frequent assessment is crucial to monitor for any signs of complications such as impaired circulation or nerve damage. Monitoring every 4 hours allows for early detection of any issues, enabling timely intervention and prevention of potential complications. Monitoring the patient's pain level every 8 hours (choice B) is not as immediate or essential for postoperative care. Assisting the patient to the bathroom every 2 hours (choice C) may not be necessary if the patient is not ambulatory yet. Keeping the patient's left leg elevated on two pillows (choice D) can be beneficial but is not the priority in the immediate postoperative period compared to assessing neurovascular status.

2. When providing teaching to the family of a school-age child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which instruction should the nurse include?

• A. Limit the child's movement of the large joints.
• B. Encourage the child to perform independent self-care.
• C. Provide the child with a soft mattress for sleeping.
• D. Schedule a 2-hour daily nap for the child in the afternoon.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Encouraging the child to perform independent self-care is essential when managing juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This instruction helps minimize pain and stiffness in the child's joints while promoting mobility and independence. It is crucial for the child to learn self-management skills early to cope better with the condition in the long term.

3. A child is being cared for following a head injury. Which of the following findings should indicate to the healthcare provider that the child is developing diabetes insipidus?

• A. Urine specific gravity of 1.045
• B. Sodium level of 155
• C. Blood glucose level of 45
• D. Urine output of 35 ml per hour

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In a child with a head injury, the development of diabetes insipidus can occur due to pituitary hypofunction, leading to a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone. An elevated sodium level (hypernatremia) is a key finding in diabetes insipidus due to the excessive loss of free water in the urine, resulting in increased sodium concentration in the blood.

4. A parent is receiving discharge teaching following their infant's hypospadias repair. Which instruction should the parent follow?

• A. Apply a warm compress to the infant's surgical site twice daily.
• B. Avoid giving the infant a tub bath for 1 week.
• C. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the infant's penis daily.
• D. Clamp the infant's catheter for 30 minutes every 4 hours.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After hypospadias repair, it is essential to avoid giving the infant a tub bath for 1 week to prevent infection and promote proper healing. Submerging the surgical site in water too soon can increase the risk of infection and compromise the healing process.

5. A parent of an infant with diaper dermatitis is being taught by a nurse. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Use baby wipes that contain alcohol to clean the baby's skin.
• B. Expose the baby's skin to air.
• C. Use a blow dryer on the warm setting to dry the baby's skin.
• D. Give the baby a bath once a week.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should instruct the parent to expose the infant's skin to air as it helps in promoting the healing process of diaper dermatitis by allowing the skin to breathe and reducing moisture, which can worsen the condition.

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