Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare professional is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the most important action to prevent infection?

• A. Use sterile gloves during the procedure.
• B. Clean the catheter insertion site with alcohol.
• C. Insert the catheter as quickly as possible.
• D. Use a smaller catheter size to minimize trauma.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Using sterile gloves during catheter insertion is crucial to prevent infection. Sterile gloves help maintain asepsis during the procedure, reducing the risk of introducing microorganisms into the urinary tract. Cleaning the insertion site with alcohol, as mentioned in choice B, is important but not as critical as using sterile gloves. Choice C, inserting the catheter as quickly as possible, is not recommended as it can lead to errors and increase the risk of contamination. Choice D, using a smaller catheter size to minimize trauma, is not directly related to preventing infection but rather focuses on patient comfort and reducing tissue damage.

2. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer the initial dose of ceftriaxone to a client who has endometritis. Which of the following statements by the client should cause the healthcare professional to hold the medication and consult the provider?

• A. I have a severe allergy to amoxicillin
• B. I get sick when I take diuretics
• C. I have a history of hearing problems
• D. I take prednisone for my asthma

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A severe allergy to amoxicillin could indicate a potential cross-reactivity with ceftriaxone, so the medication should be held. Cross-reactivity between penicillins (like amoxicillin) and cephalosporins (like ceftriaxone) is a known concern due to their similar chemical structures. Choices B, C, and D do not directly contraindicate the administration of ceftriaxone for endometritis.

3. A healthcare provider writes a medication order that seems excessively high for the patient's condition. What is the nurse's first step?

• A. Administer the medication immediately.
• B. Hold the medication and consult the provider.
• C. Reduce the dose without consulting the provider.
• D. Administer the medication after double-checking with another nurse.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first step for the nurse when encountering a medication order that appears excessively high for the patient's condition is to hold the medication and consult the provider. Administering the medication immediately (Choice A) without clarification could pose a risk to the patient's safety. Reducing the dose without consulting the provider (Choice C) is not recommended as it may lead to suboptimal treatment. Administering the medication after double-checking with another nurse (Choice D) is not sufficient; consulting the provider directly is crucial to ensure the accuracy and safety of the medication order.

4. How does a healthcare professional assess a patient's fluid balance, and what signs indicate fluid overload?

• A. Checking lung sounds for crackles
• B. Checking for signs of orthopnea
• C. Monitoring intake and output, and checking for edema
• D. Measuring daily weight

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is monitoring intake and output and checking for edema. Monitoring intake and output provides information about fluid balance in the body, while checking for edema helps assess for fluid overload. Lung sounds and signs of orthopnea are more indicative of respiratory issues rather than fluid balance. Daily weight measurement is useful to assess fluid status, but it alone may not provide a comprehensive evaluation of fluid balance.

5. The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which action will be most appropriate to prevent the spread of disease?

• A. Wear a gown, gloves, face mask, and goggles for interactions with the patient.
• B. Transport the patient safely and quickly when going to the radiology department.
• C. Place the patient in a room with negative airflow.
• D. Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only. Patients on contact precautions require dedicated equipment to prevent the spread of disease. Using one blood pressure cuff exclusively for the patient on contact precautions helps minimize the risk of transmitting infections to other patients. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while wearing protective gear and isolating the patient in a room with negative airflow are important infection control measures, using dedicated equipment for the patient on contact precautions is specifically recommended to prevent the spread of disease in this scenario.

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