Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has had a total hip arthroplasty. Which of the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?

• A. I will avoid sitting in a chair for longer than 30 minutes.
• B. I will avoid crossing my legs when sitting.
• C. I will bend at the hips to pick up items from the floor.
• D. I will avoid using a raised toilet seat.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because bending at the hips can dislocate the hip joint in clients who have had a total hip arthroplasty. This movement should be avoided to prevent complications post-surgery. Choices A, B, and D are all correct statements for a client who has had a total hip arthroplasty. Avoiding prolonged sitting, crossing legs, and using a raised toilet seat are all appropriate measures to ensure proper healing and prevent complications.

2. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Use a 21-gauge needle for injection.
• B. Inject the medication into the client's deltoid muscle.
• C. Administer the medication within 5 cm (2 in) of the umbilicus.
• D. Massage the injection site after administration.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take when preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously is to administer the medication within 5 cm (2 in) of the umbilicus. This practice ensures proper subcutaneous delivery of the medication. Choice A is incorrect because a smaller gauge needle, typically 25-26 gauge, is used for subcutaneous injections. Choice B is incorrect as heparin should not be injected into the deltoid muscle but rather into fatty tissue. Choice D is incorrect as massaging the injection site after administration can lead to tissue irritation or bruising.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Heart rate of 60/min
• B. Respiratory rate of 16/min
• C. Sodium level of 138 mEq/L
• D. Weight gain of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) in 24 hours

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. A weight gain of 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) in 24 hours can indicate fluid retention and worsening heart failure in clients taking digoxin. This rapid weight gain could be due to fluid accumulation, a common sign of heart failure exacerbation. Reporting this finding to the provider is crucial for prompt intervention. Choices A, B, and C are within normal ranges and not directly indicative of worsening heart failure in this context, making them less urgent to report compared to the significant weight gain.

4. A nurse is assessing a client who has anemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

• A. Increased appetite
• B. Pallor
• C. Tachycardia
• D. Hypertension

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pallor. Pallor, which is paleness of the skin, is a common sign of anemia due to a decreased number of red blood cells or hemoglobin levels. This results in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, leading to the paleness of the skin. Choice A, increased appetite, is not typically associated with anemia. Choice C, tachycardia (increased heart rate), can be present in anemia as the body compensates for decreased oxygenation. Choice D, hypertension (high blood pressure), is not a common finding in anemia; instead, low blood pressure may be observed due to decreased blood volume.

5. A nurse is assessing a client who has a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Calf tenderness.
• B. Shortness of breath.
• C. Elevated blood pressure.
• D. Respiratory rate of 18/min.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Shortness of breath is a critical finding that can indicate a pulmonary embolism, a severe complication of DVT. This symptom suggests a potential life-threatening situation and requires immediate intervention. Calf tenderness, while common in DVT, is not as urgent as shortness of breath. Elevated blood pressure and a respiratory rate of 18/min are important to assess but are not typically as indicative of a serious complication like a pulmonary embolism.

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