Nursing Elites

1. When teaching a client and their family how to care for the client’s tracheostomy at home, which of the following should the nurse include?

• A. Use tracheostomy covers when outdoors
• B. Maintain a sterile technique when performing tracheostomy care
• C. Do not remove the outer cannula for routine cleaning
• D. Clean around the stoma with normal saline solution

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to use tracheostomy covers when outdoors. This practice helps protect the stoma from foreign particles and temperature changes, reducing the risk of infection. Maintaining a sterile technique when performing tracheostomy care (choice B) is important to prevent infections but is not specific to outdoor care. Removing the outer cannula for routine cleaning (choice C) is not recommended as it may cause trauma or dislodgment of the tracheostomy tube. Cleaning around the stoma with povidone-iodine (choice D) is not advisable as it can be irritating to the skin and may impair the healing process.

2. A client with congestive heart failure (CHF) is receiving furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory value should the LPN monitor closely while the client is taking this medication?

• A. Sodium
• B. Potassium
• C. Calcium
• D. Magnesium

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The LPN should monitor potassium levels closely while the client is taking furosemide (Lasix) due to the medication's potential to cause hypokalemia. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to potassium loss through increased urine output. Hypokalemia can result in serious complications such as cardiac dysrhythmias. Monitoring sodium levels (choice A) is important but not as critical as monitoring potassium in this context. Calcium (choice C) and magnesium (choice D) levels are not typically affected by furosemide and are not the priority for monitoring in this scenario.

3. A healthcare provider is receiving a prescription for a client who is experiencing dysphagia following a stroke. Which of the following prescriptions should the healthcare provider clarify?

• A. Dietitian consult
• B. Speech therapy referral
• C. Oral suction at the bedside
• D. Clear liquids

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Clear liquids.' Clients with dysphagia following a stroke are at high risk of aspiration, and clear liquids have a higher risk of aspiration compared to thickened liquids. Therefore, the healthcare provider should clarify the prescription for clear liquids and consider recommending thickened liquids instead to reduce the risk of aspiration. Choice A, 'Dietitian consult,' is essential to ensure the client receives appropriate nutrition tailored to their condition. Choice B, 'Speech therapy referral,' is crucial for dysphagia management and rehabilitation. Choice C, 'Oral suction at the bedside,' is a standard intervention to maintain airway patency and is not contraindicated in clients with dysphagia.

4. A nurse is called away for an emergency while conversing with a client who is concerned about his medical diagnosis. The nurse returns to the client promptly, as promised. Which of the following ethical principles is the nurse demonstrating?

• A. Fidelity
• B. Autonomy
• C. Beneficence
• D. Justice

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Fidelity. Fidelity in nursing ethics involves keeping promises and being faithful to commitments, demonstrating reliability and trustworthiness. In this scenario, the nurse is exemplifying fidelity by returning promptly to the client as promised. Choice B, Autonomy, refers to respecting a patient's right to make their own decisions, not relevant in this situation. Choice C, Beneficence, involves the duty to act in the best interest of the patient, which is not the primary focus here. Choice D, Justice, pertains to fairness and equity in the distribution of healthcare resources, not applicable to the nurse's actions in this case.

5. Heparin 20,000 units in 500 ml D5W at 50 ml/hour has been infusing for 5.5 hours. How much heparin has the client received?

• A. 11,000 units.
• B. 13,000 units.
• C. 15,000 units.
• D. 17,000 units.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To calculate the total amount of heparin received, multiply the infusion rate (50 ml/hour) by the total infusion time (5.5 hours). This results in 275 ml of the solution infused. Since there are 20,000 units of heparin in 500 ml, there are 800 units per ml. Therefore, 275 ml contains 220,000 units. However, the heparin is diluted in 500 ml, so the client has received half of this amount, which is 110,000 units. Therefore, the correct answer is 11,000 units. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the correct calculation based on the provided information.

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