Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare provider is planning to administer medications to a client who is receiving enteral feedings through an NG tube. Which of the following actions should the healthcare provider plan to take?

• A. Dissolve each medication in 5 mL of sterile water.
• B. Administer medications through a secondary infusion.
• C. Mix medications with the enteral feeding.
• D. Flush the NG tube with 30 mL of water before and after administering medications.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Flushing the NG tube with water before and after administering medications is essential to prevent clogging of the tube and ensure proper delivery of medication. This practice helps maintain tube patency and decreases the risk of obstruction, which could compromise the client's treatment and nutrition. By flushing the tube, the healthcare provider ensures that the medication is completely delivered and that there are no residual drug particles left in the tube, which could lead to blockages or inconsistent dosing. Therefore, flushing the NG tube is a crucial step in the safe administration of medications to clients receiving enteral feedings. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Dissolving medications in sterile water (Choice A) may not be suitable for all drugs, as some medications may require specific diluents. Administering medications through a secondary infusion (Choice B) is not the standard practice for enteral medication administration. Mixing medications with the enteral feeding (Choice C) can cause interactions between medications and the feeding formula, affecting their absorption and effectiveness.

2. During a teaching session on dietary management for heart failure, a client makes a statement. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I should increase my intake of foods high in sodium.
• B. I should increase my intake of foods high in potassium.
• C. I should decrease my intake of fluids.
• D. I should decrease my intake of fiber.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because decreasing fluid intake is essential in managing fluid retention and symptoms of heart failure. Restricting fluids helps prevent excessive fluid buildup in the body, thus reducing the workload on the heart and alleviating symptoms like swelling and shortness of breath. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect. Increasing intake of foods high in sodium can exacerbate fluid retention and worsen heart failure symptoms. Increasing potassium-rich foods is beneficial for some heart conditions but not heart failure specifically. Decreasing fiber intake is not a standard recommendation for heart failure management.

3. A client is receiving enteral feedings through an NG tube. Which of the following actions should be taken to prevent aspiration?

• A. Monitor gastric residuals every 4 hours.
• B. Position the client in a semi-Fowler's position.
• C. Check for tube placement by auscultating air after feeding.
• D. Warm the formula to body temperature before feeding.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Monitoring gastric residuals every 4 hours is essential to assess the stomach's ability to empty properly, reducing the risk of aspiration. It helps in determining if the feedings are being tolerated by the client and if adjustments are needed in the feeding regimen. Positioning the client in a semi-Fowler's position helps prevent reflux and aspiration by promoting proper digestion and emptying of the stomach contents. Checking for tube placement by auscultating air after feeding confirms correct tube placement in the stomach. Warming the formula to body temperature before feeding enhances client comfort but does not directly prevent aspiration. Therefore, the correct answer is to monitor gastric residuals to prevent aspiration, as it directly assesses the stomach's ability to empty properly and the tolerance of the feedings.

4. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of insulin. Which of the following actions should the professional take?

• A. Use a 1-inch needle.
• B. Insert the needle at a 90-degree angle.
• C. Use a tuberculin syringe.
• D. Aspirate before injecting.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When administering a subcutaneous injection, inserting the needle at a 90-degree angle is appropriate. This angle helps ensure proper delivery of the medication into the subcutaneous tissue. Using a 1-inch needle is common for subcutaneous injections to reach the subcutaneous fat layer adequately. Tuberculin syringes are typically used for intradermal injections, not subcutaneous injections. Aspirating before injecting is not necessary for subcutaneous injections as it is primarily used for intramuscular injections to ensure the needle is not in a blood vessel.

5. A healthcare professional is assessing a client who has chronic pain. Which of the following findings should the healthcare professional expect?

• A. Hypotension
• B. Tachycardia
• C. Hyperthermia
• D. Depression

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Depression. Chronic pain is often associated with psychological effects like depression. Patients with chronic pain may experience feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair, which are characteristic of depression. While chronic pain can lead to changes in vital signs like increased blood pressure and heart rate, hypotension, tachycardia, or hyperthermia are not typically expected findings solely due to chronic pain. Therefore, the healthcare professional should be alert to signs of depression in clients with chronic pain and address these psychological impacts appropriately.

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