Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to administer ampicillin 500 mg IV bolus every 6 hours. Available is ampicillin 500 mg in 50 mL dextrose 5% in water (D5W) to infuse over 20 minutes. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr?

• A. 100 mL/hr
• B. 150 mL/hr
• C. 200 mL/hr
• D. 250 mL/hr

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To infuse 50 mL over 20 minutes, the pump should be set to 150 mL/hr. This calculation ensures the correct rate for the infusion of the medication. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the correct calculation based on the given information.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is prescribed furosemide. Which of the following outcomes indicates that the medication is effective?

• A. Improvement in visual acuity
• B. Decreased respiratory rate
• C. Weight loss of 1.36 kg (3 lb) in 24 hours
• D. Increased urinary output

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Increased urinary output is the desired outcome when administering furosemide to a client with heart failure. Furosemide is a diuretic that promotes the excretion of excess fluids from the body, which helps in reducing fluid overload, a common symptom of heart failure. Choices A, B, and C are not directly related to the action of furosemide in treating heart failure. Visual acuity improvement, decreased respiratory rate, and rapid weight loss are not typical indicators of furosemide effectiveness in managing heart failure.

3. A patient with COPD is admitted with shortness of breath and a productive cough. Which of the following interventions should the nurse implement first?

• A. Administer oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula
• B. Encourage the patient to cough and deep breathe
• C. Place the patient in a high-Fowler’s position
• D. Administer a bronchodilator as prescribed

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Placing the patient in a high-Fowler’s position should be implemented first. This intervention helps improve lung expansion, making it easier for the patient to breathe. Elevating the head of the bed reduces the work of breathing and can alleviate symptoms of respiratory distress. Administering oxygen, encouraging coughing and deep breathing, and administering a bronchodilator are important interventions in the care of a patient with COPD, but positioning the patient for optimal lung expansion takes precedence in this scenario.

4. A nurse is caring for a client with pneumonia who has a new prescription for antibiotics. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Administer the antibiotic immediately
• B. Obtain a sputum culture
• C. Notify the provider of the prescription
• D. Check the client's allergy history

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when caring for a client with pneumonia who has a new prescription for antibiotics is to obtain a sputum culture. This is important to identify the specific bacteria causing the pneumonia before administering antibiotics. Administering the antibiotic immediately (Choice A) may not be appropriate without knowing the specific pathogen. Notifying the provider of the prescription (Choice C) is important but not the first action to be taken. Checking the client's allergy history (Choice D) is relevant but not the priority in this situation.

5. A nurse manager is implementing a quality improvement project to reduce the number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections at the facility. Which of the following actions should the nurse manager take first?

• A. Develop an MRSA protocol for implementation.
• B. Provide educational in-services for staff.
• C. Evaluate outcomes resulting from interventions.
• D. Conduct a chart review to evaluate precipitating factors of clients who develop MRSA.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Conducting a chart review to evaluate the precipitating factors of clients who develop MRSA is the initial step in reducing these infections. By identifying factors contributing to MRSA infections, the nurse manager can develop targeted interventions. Developing an MRSA protocol (choice A) and providing educational in-services (choice B) would be premature without understanding the specific factors at play. Evaluating outcomes (choice C) should come after implementing interventions based on the findings from the chart review.

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