Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is planning care for a client who is scheduled for a lumbar puncture. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional include?

• A. Restrict the client's fluid intake for 4 hours following the procedure
• B. Apply cold compresses to the puncture site after the procedure
• C. Instruct the client to increase oral fluid intake after the procedure
• D. Keep the client in a prone position for 12 hours after the procedure

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action to include in caring for a client scheduled for a lumbar puncture is to instruct the client to increase oral fluid intake after the procedure. Increasing oral fluid intake helps replace cerebrospinal fluid lost during the lumbar puncture and reduces the risk of headaches. Restricting fluid intake (Choice A) is not recommended as it can lead to dehydration. Applying cold compresses (Choice B) is not necessary after a lumbar puncture. Keeping the client in a prone position for 12 hours (Choice D) is not required after a lumbar puncture and can cause discomfort and complications.

2. What is the most appropriate method for assessing a patient's pain level?

• A. Observe the patient's facial expressions.
• B. Use a standardized pain scale, such as 0-10.
• C. Ask the patient to rate their pain based on their mood.
• D. Ask the patient's family members to assess the pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate method for assessing a patient's pain level is to use a standardized pain scale, such as a 0-10 scale. This method provides an objective and consistent way to measure and communicate the intensity of pain experienced by the patient. Choice A, observing facial expressions, can be subjective and may not always accurately reflect the level of pain. Choice C, asking the patient to rate their pain based on their mood, may be influenced by various factors unrelated to pain. Choice D, involving the patient's family members in assessing the pain, is not ideal as pain is a subjective experience that should be reported by the patient themselves.

3. A charge nurse is planning care for a group of clients on a medical-surgical unit. Which of the following tasks should the nurse delegate to an assistive personnel (AP)?

• A. Giving a glycerin suppository to a client for constipation
• B. Evaluating the effectiveness of ibuprofen administered to a client who reported a headache
• C. Discussing dietary changes with a client who has a prescription for a gluten-free diet
• D. Measuring hourly urinary output for a client who is postoperative

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because measuring hourly urinary output is a task that falls within the scope of practice for assistive personnel. This task involves a technical skill that can be delegated by the charge nurse. Choices A, B, and C require higher-level nursing assessments and interventions that should be performed by licensed nursing staff. Giving a glycerin suppository involves medication administration, evaluating the effectiveness of ibuprofen requires assessment and critical thinking, and discussing dietary changes involves education and assessment of the client's understanding and compliance, all of which are beyond the scope of practice for assistive personnel.

4. Which intervention is most effective for managing a patient with constipation?

• A. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
• B. Administer a stool softener as prescribed.
• C. Provide the patient with a high-fiber diet.
• D. Teach the patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective intervention for managing constipation in a patient is to administer a stool softener as prescribed. Stool softeners help relieve constipation by making the stool easier to pass, especially in postoperative patients. Increasing fluid intake can be beneficial but may not address the underlying cause of constipation. While a high-fiber diet is important for bowel health, it may not provide immediate relief for constipation. Teaching a patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers is not recommended for managing constipation as it can lead to adverse effects like increasing intra-abdominal pressure.

5. A healthcare professional is caring for a client with impaired mobility. Which of the following support devices should the healthcare professional plan to use to prevent the client from developing plantar flexion contractures?

• A. Sheepskin heel pad
• B. Footboard
• C. Trochanter roll
• D. Abduction pillow

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A footboard is the correct choice to prevent plantar flexion contractures by maintaining proper alignment of the feet. Plantar flexion contractures involve the foot pointing downward, and a footboard helps keep the foot in a neutral position. Choice A, the sheepskin heel pad, is used for pressure ulcer prevention and comfort but does not specifically address plantar flexion contractures. Choice C, the trochanter roll, is used for hip positioning, not foot alignment. Choice D, the abduction pillow, is used to maintain proper positioning of the legs but does not directly address plantar flexion contractures.

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