Nursing Elites

1. A nurse manager of a med surge unit is assigning care responsibilities for the oncoming shift. A client is waiting transfer back to the unit from the PACU following thoracic surgery. To which staff member should the nurse assign the client?

• A. Charge nurse
• B. RN
• C. LVN
• D. AP

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: RN. An RN is required for managing post-surgical care in the immediate postoperative period, especially for a client following thoracic surgery. The RN is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to assess the client's condition, provide complex care, and recognize and respond to any complications that may arise. Assigning the client to the Charge nurse (A) may not be appropriate as the Charge nurse focuses more on administrative and managerial tasks rather than direct patient care. LVNs (C) and APs (D) may have limitations in their scope of practice when it comes to managing post-surgical care following thoracic surgery, which requires a higher level of assessment and intervention that an RN can provide.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a terminal illness and is approaching death. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication of impending death?

• A. Hypertension.
• B. Tachycardia.
• C. Cold extremities.
• D. Diaphoresis.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Cold extremities are a critical sign of impending death as they indicate decreased circulation, leading to poor perfusion to the extremities. This phenomenon occurs as the body redirects blood flow to vital organs, preparing for the end of life. Hypertension and tachycardia are less likely to be seen in the terminal phase and are usually associated with other conditions like shock or sepsis. Diaphoresis, or excessive sweating, may occur in various situations but is not a specific indicator of impending death in this context.

3. How should a healthcare professional assess and manage a patient with delirium?

• A. Assess for confusion and reorient the patient
• B. Provide a quiet environment and administer sedatives
• C. Provide oxygen therapy and monitor vital signs
• D. Provide pain relief and monitor for signs of recovery

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct way to assess and manage a patient with delirium is by assessing for confusion and reorienting the patient. Delirium is characterized by acute confusion and disturbance in attention, so reorienting the patient to time, place, and person can help improve their awareness and cognition. Providing a quiet environment is important to reduce stimuli that can exacerbate delirium, but administering sedatives may worsen the condition. Oxygen therapy and monitoring vital signs are essential aspects of general patient care but are not specific to managing delirium. Providing pain relief is important for overall patient comfort but may not directly address the core issue of delirium.

4. What is the first step in managing a client with delirium?

• A. Administer sedative medication to calm the client
• B. Identify any reversible causes of delirium
• C. Limit environmental stimulation to reduce anxiety
• D. Administer antipsychotic medication to control behavior

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first step in managing a client with delirium is to identify any reversible causes of delirium. This is crucial because addressing the underlying cause can help in resolving delirium more effectively. Administering sedative or antipsychotic medications without addressing the root cause may not be helpful and can even worsen the condition. Limiting environmental stimulation, although important, is not the primary step in managing delirium.

5. A healthcare professional is planning care for a client who has a prescription for mechanical restraints. Which of the following interventions should the healthcare professional include in the plan?

• A. Document the client's status every 60 minutes.
• B. Provide a staff member to stay with the client continuously.
• C. Measure vital signs every 4 hours.
• D. Obtain a prescription for the restraints every 8 hours.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a client has a prescription for mechanical restraints, it is essential to provide continuous monitoring for their safety and to observe any behavioral changes. Having a staff member stay with the client continuously allows for immediate intervention if needed. Documenting the client's status every 60 minutes (Choice A) may not provide real-time monitoring, which is crucial in this situation. While measuring vital signs every 4 hours (Choice C) is important, continuous observation takes precedence in this scenario. Obtaining a prescription for the restraints every 8 hours (Choice D) is not a necessary intervention once the initial prescription is in place.

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