Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to administer medications to four clients. The nurse should administer medications to which client first?

• A. A client who has pneumonia and a WBC count of 11,500/mm3 prescribed piperacillin
• B. A client who has renal failure and a serum potassium of 5.8 mEq/L prescribed sodium polystyrene sulfonate
• C. A client who is post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) prescribed atorvastatin
• D. A client who has anemia and a hemoglobin level of 11g/dL prescribed epoetin alfa

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The client with renal failure and high potassium levels requires immediate attention because hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac complications. Administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate helps lower the potassium levels. Choice A, the client with pneumonia and a high WBC count, although important, does not present an immediate life-threatening condition. Choice C, the post-CABG client prescribed atorvastatin, and Choice D, the client with anemia and a hemoglobin level of 11g/dL prescribed epoetin alfa, do not require immediate intervention compared to managing hyperkalemia in a client with renal failure.

2. Which of the following clients requiring crutches should a nurse teach about how to use a three-point gait?

• A. A client who has a right femur fracture with no weight-bearing on the affected leg
• B. A client who has bilateral leg braces due to paralysis of the lower extremities
• C. A client who has bilateral knee replacements with partial weight-bearing on both legs
• D. A client who is able to bear full weight on both lower extremities

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A three-point gait is recommended for clients who are non-weight bearing on one leg. In this case, a client with a right femur fracture requiring no weight-bearing on the affected leg would benefit from learning how to use a three-point gait. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they involve clients who have varying degrees of weight-bearing ability on both legs, which would not require the use of a three-point gait.

3. A nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client following a gastrectomy. Which of the following strategies should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Drink fluids between meals
• B. Eat three large meals each day
• C. Lie down for 30 minutes after meals
• D. Avoid drinking liquids with meals

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct strategy to include in the teaching after a gastrectomy is to avoid drinking liquids with meals. This helps prevent dumping syndrome, a condition characterized by rapid emptying of undigested food and fluids from the stomach into the small intestine. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect. Drinking fluids between meals is appropriate to maintain hydration, eating three large meals can exacerbate dumping syndrome, and lying down after meals is not recommended as it can increase the risk of reflux.

4. A nurse is caring for a patient who is postoperative day 1 following abdominal surgery. What is the nurse's priority action to prevent complications?

• A. Encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry.
• B. Assist the patient in ambulating around the unit.
• C. Reposition the patient every 2 hours.
• D. Administer pain medication as prescribed.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to encourage the patient to perform incentive spirometry. Incentive spirometry helps prevent respiratory complications, such as atelectasis, by promoting deep breathing and optimal lung expansion. Ambulating, repositioning, and administering pain medication are important interventions but do not take precedence over preventing respiratory complications in the immediate postoperative period.

5. A patient is receiving enteral feedings through a nasogastric (NG) tube. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?

• A. Flush the NG tube with water before and after each feeding.
• B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
• C. Administer medications through the NG tube every 4 hours.
• D. Increase the feeding rate if the patient is tolerating well.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Checking the placement of the NG tube before each feeding is crucial as it ensures the tube is correctly positioned, reducing the risk of complications such as aspiration or improper delivery of feedings. Flushing the NG tube with water before and after each feeding can disrupt the feeding schedule and is not a standard procedure. Administering medications through the NG tube every 4 hours may not be necessary for all patients and should be based on specific medication requirements. Increasing the feeding rate without proper assessment and monitoring can lead to feeding intolerance or complications, making it an inappropriate intervention.

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