Nursing Elites

1. A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is washing her hands prior to assisting with a surgical procedure. Which of the following actions by the nurse demonstrates proper surgical hand-washing technique?

• A. The nurse washes with her hands held higher than her elbows.
• B. The nurse uses an alcohol-based hand rub for 30 seconds.
• C. The nurse scrubs hands and forearms for 2 minutes with soap and water.
• D. The nurse washes her hands with soap and water for only 15 seconds.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Proper surgical hand-washing technique involves washing with the hands held higher than the elbows. This positioning is essential to ensure proper rinsing and to prevent the risk of contamination. Option B, using an alcohol-based hand rub for 30 seconds, is not specific to surgical hand-washing and is more commonly used for routine hand hygiene. Option C, scrubbing hands and forearms for 2 minutes with soap and water, is excessive and not typically required for routine hand-washing. Option D, washing hands with soap and water for only 15 seconds, is insufficient for thorough surgical hand-washing.

2. A nurse is providing care to four clients. Which of the following situations requires the nurse to complete an incident report?

• A. A nurse tied a client's restraints straps to the moveable part of the bed frame.
• B. An assistive personnel placed a surgical mask on a client who has TB before transporting her to radiology.
• C. A nurse administered a medication to a client 30 minutes before the dose is due.
• D. A client who has an IV infusion pump receives an additional 250 mL of IV fluid.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. An incident report should be completed when a nurse administers medication to a client significantly earlier than the scheduled time. This deviation from the prescribed schedule could potentially impact the client's treatment plan and requires documentation for proper evaluation and follow-up. Choices A, B, and D do not necessarily require an incident report. Choice A involves improper restraint application, which is a safety issue but does not directly involve medication administration. Choice B involves a protective measure for a client with TB, which is within the scope of practice for assistive personnel. Choice D describes an increase in IV fluid administration, which may need monitoring but does not necessarily indicate a need for an incident report unless there are specific complications or adverse effects related to the additional fluid.

3. A charge nurse is assigning client care for four clients. Which of the following tasks should the nurse assign to a PN?

• A. Creating a plan of care for a client who is recovering following a stroke.
• B. Assessing a pressure injury on a client who is on bed rest.
• C. Providing nasopharyngeal suctioning for a client who has pneumonia.
• D. Teaching a client who has asthma to use a metered-dose inhaler.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is providing nasopharyngeal suctioning for a client who has pneumonia. This task falls within the practical nurse's scope of practice, as it involves direct patient care and basic interventions. Creating a plan of care for a client recovering from a stroke involves critical thinking and comprehensive assessment, which are typically responsibilities of registered nurses. Assessing a pressure injury requires specialized wound care knowledge, often performed by wound care specialists or registered nurses with wound care training. Teaching a client to use a metered-dose inhaler involves patient education and requires a thorough understanding of asthma management, making it more suitable for a registered nurse.

4. A nurse is caring for a young adult at a college health clinic. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Give the client information about immunization against meningitis.
• B. Tell the client to have a TB skin test every 2 years.
• C. Determine the client’s health risks.
• D. Teach the client about exercise recommendations.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Assessing the client’s health risks is the priority as it provides essential information to guide subsequent care. By understanding the client’s health risks, the nurse can tailor health education and interventions, such as immunizations and lifestyle modifications, to address specific needs. Providing information about immunization against meningitis (Choice A) is important but should come after assessing health risks. Instructing the client to have a TB skin test every 2 years (Choice B) is relevant but not the initial step in care. Teaching about exercise recommendations (Choice D) is also essential but should follow the assessment of health risks.

5. A client has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent infection?

• A. Ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks.
• B. Clean the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily.
• C. Irrigate the catheter with normal saline every shift.
• D. Secure the catheter to the client's leg.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Cleaning the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily is essential to prevent infection when caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. This practice helps reduce the risk of introducing pathogens into the urinary tract. Ensuring the catheter tubing is free of kinks (Choice A) is important for maintaining proper urine flow but is not directly related to preventing infection. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline every shift (Choice C) is not a routine practice and can increase the risk of introducing pathogens. Securing the catheter to the client's leg (Choice D) is important for stability but does not directly prevent infection.

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