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 teaching a school-age child and the parent how to administer insulin, which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Store the insulin in the refrigerator after each use.
• B. Rotate injection sites each time you give the injection.
• C. You should give the insulin at room temperature.
• D. Administer the insulin within 30 minutes of each meal.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: It is essential to give insulin at room temperature to prevent discomfort during administration. Cold insulin can cause stinging and pain, which can be avoided by allowing the insulin to reach room temperature before administration. Storing insulin in the refrigerator is correct for long-term storage, but it should be brought to room temperature before use. Rotating injection sites is important to prevent lipohypertrophy, a condition characterized by fatty lumps that can develop if injections are consistently given in the same area. Administering insulin within 30 minutes of a meal is generally recommended to match the insulin peak action with the peak glucose levels after eating, but giving insulin at room temperature is more crucial to ensure comfort and proper absorption.

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 child receives a vaccine for MMR. Six hours after the injection, the child�s parent reports local soreness, erythema, lethargy, and a fever of 101�F to a nurse. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Give instructions on relieving symptoms with acetaminophen
• B. Seek emergency help, because these symptoms are signs of anaphylactic reaction
• C. Tell the parent that a live vaccine will cause a mild case of measles
• D. Obtain and fill out a Vaccine Adverse Event Report form

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Low-grade fever, malaise, and muscle aches are common reactions. Acetaminophen usually alleviates these problems. MMR is a live vaccine but it is attenuated or completely avirulent and does not cause measles in healthy children, only immunocompromised children.

5. Which parental statement at the end of a teaching session by the nurse indicates correct understanding of colostomy stoma care for the infant client?

• A. We will change the colostomy bag with each wet diaper.
• B. We will expect a moderate amount of bleeding after cleansing the area around the stoma.
• C. We will watch for skin irritation around the stoma.
• D. We will use adhesive enhancers when we change the bag.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Choosing option C, 'We will watch for skin irritation around the stoma,' demonstrates understanding of proper colostomy stoma care. Monitoring for skin irritation is crucial as it can indicate issues such as leakage, improper sealing, or infection. Options A, B, and D are incorrect. Changing the colostomy bag with each wet diaper (option A) is unnecessary unless indicated by a healthcare provider to prevent skin breakdown. Expecting bleeding after cleansing (option B) is not normal and may signal a problem that requires medical attention. Using adhesive enhancers (option D) should be done based on specific recommendations and not necessarily with every bag change.

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