Nursing Elites

1. A nurse is talking with a client who is about to start using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to manage chronic pain. Which of the following statements should the nurse identify as an indication that the client needs further teaching?

• A. I wish I didn't have to attach the electrodes to my skin
• B. I will need to shave the hair off the skin where I place the electrodes
• C. I hope I don't have to take as many pain pills
• D. It's unfortunate that I have to be in the hospital for this treatment

Correct answer: D

Rationale: TENS is a portable treatment that can be done at home, so the client should not expect to remain in the hospital for this treatment.

2. A patient has a DNR (do-not-resuscitate) order but their family insists on resuscitation if necessary. What should the nurse do?

• A. Follow the family's wishes to resuscitate.
• B. Explain that the nurse must follow the DNR order.
• C. Ask the provider for clarification on the DNR.
• D. Call the ethics committee to discuss the situation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. The nurse must follow the legal DNR order, even if the family insists on resuscitation. Respecting the patient's wishes is crucial in providing ethical care. Choice A is incorrect because the nurse should prioritize the patient's documented wishes over the family's requests. Choice C may cause unnecessary delays in care as the DNR order is a legal document. Choice D is not the initial action to take in this situation; the nurse should first address the conflict between the family's wishes and the patient's DNR order.

3. A nurse manager notices a discrepancy in a nurse's narcotics record. What is the appropriate action?

• A. Ask the nurse for clarification about the record.
• B. Report the discrepancy to the pharmacy.
• C. Report the issue to the nurse manager immediately.
• D. Ignore the discrepancy as a clerical error.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The appropriate action when a nurse manager notices a discrepancy in a nurse's narcotics record is to report the discrepancy to the pharmacy. Reporting such discrepancies is crucial to ensure accountability and patient safety. Choice A is incorrect because the nurse manager should not confront the nurse directly without proper investigation. Choice C is incorrect because reporting to the nurse manager may not address the issue effectively. Choice D is incorrect because ignoring the discrepancy can compromise patient safety and violates protocols.

4. A nurse is assessing the skin of an immobilized patient. What will the nurse do?

• A. Use a standardized tool such as the Braden Scale.
• B. Limit the amount of fluid intake.
• C. Have special times for inspection so as not to interrupt routine care.
• D. Assess the skin every 4 hours.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. When assessing the skin of an immobilized patient, it is essential to use a standardized tool such as the Braden Scale to identify patients at high risk for impaired skin integrity. This tool helps in early identification and appropriate intervention. Choice B, limiting fluid intake, is not directly related to skin assessment. Choice C, having special times for inspection, may not ensure timely identification of skin issues. Choice D, assessing the skin every 4 hours, lacks specificity regarding the use of a validated tool for risk assessment.

5. A patient is receiving an opioid analgesic for pain management. What is the most important assessment for the nurse to perform?

• A. Monitor the patient's blood pressure.
• B. Assess the patient's respiratory rate.
• C. Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation.
• D. Assess the patient's heart rate.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient's respiratory rate. When a patient is receiving opioids, it is crucial to monitor their respiratory rate as opioids can depress the respiratory system, leading to respiratory depression and potential respiratory failure. Monitoring blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart rate are important assessments as well, but the priority lies in assessing respiratory rate due to the risk of respiratory depression associated with opioid use.

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