Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is planning care for a client who is postoperative following a bowel resection. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?

• A. Encourage the client to drink adequate fluids daily.
• B. Administer pain medication as needed.
• C. Instruct the client to splint the incision with a pillow.
• D. Encourage the client to eat a balanced diet.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct intervention for a client post-bowel resection is to instruct the client to splint the incision with a pillow. This technique helps prevent dehiscence, which is the separation of wound edges, and reduces pain when coughing or moving. Splinting supports the incision site, decreasing tension on the wound. Encouraging the client to drink adequate fluids promotes hydration and aids in recovery, but a specific volume like 1,000 mL mentioned in choice A is not essential. Pain medication should be administered as needed for adequate pain control, not necessarily before every meal. Instructing the client to eat a balanced diet, including adequate protein, is crucial for wound healing and overall recovery, rather than limiting protein intake.

2. A client scheduled for a thoracentesis requires assistance from a nurse. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Assist the client to a prone position.
• B. Assist the client to a sitting position.
• C. Assist the client to a supine position.
• D. Assist the client to a lateral position.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assist the client to a sitting position. Placing the client in a sitting position helps facilitate easier access during the thoracentesis procedure by allowing gravity to assist in the removal of pleural fluid. Placing the client in a prone, supine, or lateral position would not provide the optimal positioning needed for a thoracentesis and could make the procedure more challenging or uncomfortable for the client.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has osteoarthritis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Apply heat to inflamed joints
• B. Provide passive range-of-motion exercises
• C. Encourage prolonged use of NSAIDs
• D. Apply cold packs to the joints

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Applying heat to inflamed joints can help relieve pain in clients with osteoarthritis. Heat therapy can help improve blood circulation, relax muscles, and reduce stiffness. Choice B, providing passive range-of-motion exercises, may be beneficial for joint mobility but is not the first-line intervention for pain relief in osteoarthritis. Choice C, encouraging prolonged use of NSAIDs, should be done cautiously due to potential side effects and should be guided by a healthcare provider. Choice D, applying cold packs to the joints, is not recommended for osteoarthritis as cold therapy can worsen stiffness and discomfort in this condition.

4. A nurse is preparing to administer an intermittent enteral feeding to a client who has an NG tube. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Heat the feeding to 105°F (40.6°C).
• B. Elevate the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
• C. Flush the tube with 0.9% sodium chloride.
• D. Verify the pH of the gastric aspirate.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Verifying the pH of the gastric aspirate is the correct action to take before administering an intermittent enteral feeding through an NG tube. This step ensures proper tube placement in the stomach, as the gastric aspirate should have an acidic pH (usually below 5). Heating the feeding solution, elevating the head of the bed, or flushing the tube with saline are not directly related to verifying tube placement and are not the immediate actions needed before administering the feeding.

5. Which lab value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving insulin therapy?

• A. Monitor blood glucose
• B. Monitor potassium levels
• C. Monitor calcium levels
• D. Monitor sodium levels

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to monitor blood glucose levels. When a patient is receiving insulin therapy, it is crucial to monitor blood glucose levels regularly to prevent hypoglycemia, a potential side effect of insulin therapy. Monitoring potassium, calcium, or sodium levels is important for different medical conditions or treatments and is not directly related to insulin therapy.

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