Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is preparing to perform a focused respiratory assessment on a client with COPD. What is an expected finding?

• A. Normal respiratory rate
• B. Nasal flaring
• C. Decreased breath sounds
• D. Increased breath sounds

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Nasal flaring is an expected finding in clients with COPD who are experiencing respiratory distress. Nasal flaring is a sign of increased work of breathing and respiratory distress, commonly seen in clients with COPD exacerbation. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. A normal respiratory rate would not be an expected finding in a client with COPD, as they often have an increased respiratory rate. Decreased breath sounds could indicate diminished airflow but are not typically a common finding in COPD. Increased breath sounds are not typical in COPD and could indicate other conditions like pneumonia.

2. A client expresses anxiety about an upcoming surgery. What should the nurse do?

• A. Administer a sedative
• B. Ask the client to describe their feelings
• C. Call the surgeon to address the anxiety
• D. Provide information on post-op care

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client expresses anxiety, it is essential for the nurse to encourage the client to verbalize their feelings. This helps the client express concerns, fears, and uncertainties, enabling the nurse to provide appropriate emotional support. Administering a sedative (Choice A) should not be the initial response as it does not address the underlying emotional needs of the client. Calling the surgeon to address anxiety (Choice C) may not be within the nurse's scope of practice and may not directly address the client's emotional needs. Providing information on post-op care (Choice D) is important but not the priority when the client is experiencing anxiety preoperatively.

3. A healthcare provider is preparing to perform a routine abdominal assessment. What action should the healthcare provider take first?

• A. Inspect the abdomen
• B. Auscultate bowel sounds
• C. Palpate the abdomen
• D. Percuss the abdomen

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct first action in a routine abdominal assessment is to inspect the abdomen. This allows the healthcare provider to visually assess for any visible abnormalities such as scars, distention, or masses. Auscultating bowel sounds comes after inspection as the second step to assess bowel motility. Palpation and percussion follow in the sequence of a comprehensive abdominal assessment. Therefore, inspecting the abdomen is the priority to gather initial information before proceeding with further assessment techniques.

4. A nurse is assessing a client who reports a burning sensation at the site of a peripheral IV. The site is red and swollen. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Apply a cold compress
• B. Discontinue the IV line
• C. Elevate the limb
• D. Increase the IV flow rate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to discontinue the IV line. The client's symptoms of a burning sensation, redness, and swelling at the IV site indicate phlebitis, which is inflammation of the vein. The priority action in this situation is to remove the source of irritation, which is the IV line, to prevent further complications such as infection or thrombosis. Applying a cold compress may provide temporary relief but does not address the underlying issue. Elevating the limb is not the priority in this case. Increasing the IV flow rate can worsen the phlebitis by causing further irritation to the vein.

5. A healthcare provider is assessing the pain level of a client who has dementia and difficulty communicating. Which pain assessment technique should the healthcare provider use?

• A. Verbal self-report
• B. Pain scale
• C. Behavioral indicators
• D. Observing facial expressions

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In clients with dementia and difficulty communicating, using behavioral indicators such as agitation and restlessness is more reliable for assessing pain than relying on verbal self-report, pain scales, or observing facial expressions. Verbal self-report may not be possible due to communication challenges, pain scales may be difficult for the client to comprehend, and observing facial expressions alone may not provide a comprehensive assessment of pain in individuals with dementia.

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