Nursing Elites

1. When preparing an injection for opioid medication, a nurse draws 1mL from a 2mL vial. What should the nurse do next?

• A. Ask another nurse to observe medication wastage
• B. Document the amount of medication drawn on the MAR
• C. Dispose of the remaining medication in a sharps container
• D. Administer the entire vial of medication to avoid wastage

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When drawing medication from a vial, especially for controlled substances like opioids, any wastage must be witnessed by another healthcare professional to ensure accuracy, prevent diversion, and maintain safety standards. This process is crucial for proper documentation and accountability. Recording the amount drawn on the Medication Administration Record (MAR) is important for tracking administered doses and preventing errors. Disposing of the remaining medication in a sharps container is not recommended as it does not address proper wastage documentation. Administering the entire vial of medication just to avoid wastage is inappropriate and can lead to potential harm or overdose in the patient.

2. An 18-year-old client is admitted to the intensive care unit from the emergency room following a diving accident. The injury is suspected to be at the level of the 2nd cervical vertebra. The nurse's priority assessment should be

• A. Response to stimuli
• B. Bladder control
• C. Respiratory function
• D. Muscle strength

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Injuries at the level of the 2nd cervical vertebra can affect the phrenic nerve, leading to potential impairment of respiratory function. Assessing respiratory function is crucial as compromised breathing can quickly escalate to life-threatening situations. While response to stimuli is important, ensuring adequate oxygenation takes precedence due to the immediate threat to life. Bladder control may be affected by spinal cord injuries at higher levels, but it is not the priority in this scenario. Muscle strength is a potential consequence of cervical spinal cord injury, but assessing respiratory function is more critical in the acute phase.

3. A home health nurse is teaching a new caregiver how to care for a client who has had a tracheostomy for 1 year. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Use tracheostomy covers when going outdoors.
• B. Maintain sterile technique when performing tracheostomy care.
• C. Do not remove the outer cannula for routine cleaning.
• D. Clean around the stoma with normal saline.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to use tracheostomy covers when going outdoors. This instruction is important as it helps protect the airway from dust and other particles, reducing the risk of infection or irritation. Choice B is incorrect because maintaining sterile technique is crucial during tracheostomy care to prevent infections, but it is not the most pertinent instruction in this scenario. Choice C is incorrect as removing the outer cannula is not a routine cleaning procedure and should only be done by healthcare professionals when necessary. Choice D is incorrect because cleaning around the stoma with normal saline is not recommended as it can cause irritation to the skin and stoma site.

4. A client is receiving discharge instructions for using a walker. Which statement indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will hire someone to trim the tree that hangs low over the stairs of my front porch.
• B. I will avoid using the walker on uneven surfaces.
• C. I will use the walker on stairs for added support.
• D. I will not need to make any changes to my home environment.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because hiring someone to trim low-hanging branches over stairs ensures home safety and reflects an understanding of walker use. This action indicates the client's awareness of potential hazards and the importance of a safe environment for walker use. Choice B is incorrect as avoiding uneven surfaces is a general safety precaution but does not directly relate to walker use and does not demonstrate an understanding of the teaching. Choice C is incorrect because using a walker on stairs is not recommended due to safety concerns such as balance and fall risks. Choice D is incorrect as making no changes to the home environment may pose safety risks when using a walker, showing a lack of understanding regarding safety precautions needed for walker use.

5. The nurse is caring for a client with a central venous catheter. What is the most important action for the nurse to take to prevent infection?

• A. Change the catheter dressing every 72 hours.
• B. Flush the catheter with heparin solution daily.
• C. Ensure the catheter is clamped when not in use.
• D. Maintain sterile technique when handling the catheter.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Maintaining sterile technique when handling a central venous catheter is crucial in preventing infections. Changing the catheter dressing every 72 hours, while important for overall catheter care, does not directly address infection prevention. Flushing the catheter with heparin solution daily is essential for maintaining patency but does not primarily prevent infections. Ensuring the catheter is clamped when not in use is important for preventing air embolism but is not the most critical action to prevent infection. The most effective way to prevent infections is by strictly adhering to sterile techniques during catheter handling, which minimizes the risk of introducing pathogens into the catheter site.

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