Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is developing a plan of care for an older adult who is at risk for falls. Which of the following actions should the nurse include?

• A. Lock beds and wheelchairs when not in use
• B. Administer a sedative at bedtime
• C. Provide information about home safety checks
• D. Teach balance and strengthening exercises

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to include in the plan of care for an older adult at risk for falls is to lock beds and wheelchairs when not in use. This measure is crucial for preventing falls and ensuring patient safety in healthcare settings. Administering sedatives at bedtime (Choice B) is not recommended as it does not address the underlying risk factors for falls and may increase the risk of injury. Providing information about home safety checks (Choice C) is important for fall prevention in the home environment but is not directly related to healthcare settings. Teaching balance and strengthening exercises (Choice D) is beneficial for fall prevention but may not be suitable for all older adults at risk for falls, especially in acute care settings.

2. After surgery, a patient is experiencing pain. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Administer pain medication as prescribed.
• B. Assess the patient's pain using a pain scale.
• C. Offer the patient non-pharmacological pain relief methods.
• D. Reassess the patient's pain level after 30 minutes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient's pain using a pain scale. This is the priority action because it allows the nurse to obtain an objective measure of the patient's pain intensity. By accurately assessing the pain level, the nurse can determine the appropriate intervention, which may include administering pain medication as prescribed (choice A) or offering non-pharmacological pain relief methods (choice C). Reassessing the patient's pain level after 30 minutes (choice D) is important but comes after the initial assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions implemented.

3. Which goal is most appropriate for a patient who has had a total hip replacement?

• A. The nurse will assist the patient in ambulating in the hall 2 times a day.
• B. The patient will walk 100 feet using a walker by the time of discharge.
• C. The patient will ambulate briskly on the treadmill by the time of discharge.
• D. The patient will ambulate independently by the time of discharge.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the most appropriate goal for a patient who has had a total hip replacement because it is specific, measurable, and achievable. Walking 100 feet using a walker is a realistic and individualized target for a patient in the recovery phase following hip surgery. Choices A, C, and D are not as suitable: Choice A does not specify a measurable distance or objective, Choice C sets a potentially unrealistic expectation for brisk ambulation on a treadmill, and Choice D lacks the specificity of the distance to be walked.

4. What is the priority action for a patient with a fever?

• A. Administer an antipyretic medication as prescribed.
• B. Assess the patient's temperature regularly.
• C. Provide cooling measures such as a cool compress.
• D. Provide the patient with blankets for comfort.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority action when a patient has a fever is to assess the patient's temperature regularly. Monitoring the temperature helps track the effectiveness of interventions and detect any worsening fever. Administering antipyretic medication (Choice A) should be done based on healthcare provider's orders after assessing the patient's condition. While providing cooling measures such as a cool compress (Choice C) can help reduce fever, assessing the temperature takes precedence. Providing blankets for comfort (Choice D) is not the priority when dealing with a fever.

5. A forensic nurse is using the epidemiological triangle to explain factors that contribute to violent behavior. Which of the following factors should the nurse identify as an environmental factor in the epidemiological triangle?

• A. Crowded living conditions
• B. Traumatic brain injury
• C. Alzheimer's disease
• D. Impaired coping abilities

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Crowded living conditions are considered an environmental factor in the epidemiological triangle as they can contribute to the spread of violence. In this context, environmental factors refer to external influences such as social and physical environments. Traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and impaired coping abilities are not typically classified as environmental factors in the epidemiological triangle. Traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease are more related to individual health conditions, while impaired coping abilities are more focused on individual psychological factors rather than external environmental influences.

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