Nursing Elites

1. A nursing care plan states, 'Assist the patient to the bedside commode PRN.' When will this patient get this assistance to the commode?

• A. Whenever needed
• B. At bedtime
• C. During the night
• D. During the day

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Whenever needed.' The abbreviation 'PRN' stands for 'pro re nata,' which translates to 'as needed' or 'whenever necessary.' This means that the patient will receive assistance to the commode whenever they require it, based on their individual needs and condition. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because 'PRN' does not specify a specific time like bedtime, during the night, or during the day; instead, it indicates assistance based on the patient's needs.

2. A nurse is caring for newborn infants in a nursery when a man enters the area to take his baby back to the room. The man does not have an identification bracelet, and the nurse does not recognize him. What is the next action of the nurse?

• A. Call security and ask them to escort the man out of the nursery
• B. Ask the man to wait and check the infant's chart
• C. Ask the man to return to his room and bring an identification band
• D. Allow the man to take the baby to his room

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The safety of infants in newborn nurseries is maintained by requiring parents to wear identification bracelets to identify themselves as the rightful parents. This practice minimizes the risk of mistakenly allowing an unauthorized individual to take a baby. In this scenario, since the nurse does not recognize the man and he lacks an identification bracelet, the appropriate action is to ask him to return to his room and bring the identification band. This step ensures the proper identity verification before allowing the man to take the baby. Calling security without first verifying the man's identity may escalate the situation unnecessarily. Checking the infant's chart alone does not confirm the man's identity. Allowing the man to take the baby without proper verification poses a safety risk to the infant.

3. What is a common error when taking a pulse?

• A. Placing the index finger on the radial artery located on the thumb side of a patient's wrist.
• B. Noting a pulse as 'weak' when the pulsation disappears upon adding pressure.
• C. Counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying the number by four.
• D. None of the above will cause errors.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is counting the pulse for 15 seconds and multiplying the number by four. To accurately assess a patient's heart rate or pulse, it is crucial to count the pulse for a full minute. Counting for only 15 seconds and then multiplying by four may result in an inaccurate heart rate calculation. This approach could miss arrhythmias or intermittent pulsations that could be vital indicators of the patient's condition. Placing the index finger on the radial artery, which is located on the thumb side of the patient's wrist, is the correct technique for taking a pulse. Noting a pulse as 'weak' when the pulsation disappears upon adding pressure is a valid observation and not an error in itself. Therefore, the most common error in this scenario is incorrectly calculating the pulse rate by multiplying a 15-second count by four.

4. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer a dose of platelets to a client. Which of the following actions must the healthcare professional perform before giving the platelets?

• A. Start an IV of 0.9% Normal Saline to administer with the platelets
• B. Ensure the container with the platelets is intact and not damaged
• C. Verify the client's identity using two unique identifiers
• D. Check the client's chart to ensure no contraindications to platelet transfusion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Before administering platelets, it is crucial to check the integrity of the container holding the blood product. An intact container ensures the sterility and safety of the platelets, minimizing the risk of contamination or infection. Option A is incorrect as administering platelets typically does not require starting a new IV line unless indicated for the specific patient. Option C is not the priority as verifying the client's identity can be done at any point during the administration process but is not specific to the platelet transfusion itself. Option D, checking the client's chart for antibiotic use, is not directly related to ensuring the safety of the blood product container.

5. During a client interview, which of the following leading questions should the nurse avoid asking?

• A. What medication do you take at home?
• B. You are really excited about the plastic surgery, aren't you?
• C. Were you aware I've had this same type of surgery?
• D. What would you like to talk about?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse should avoid asking leading questions during a client interview as they can influence the client's response. Option B is a leading question as it suggests an expected response from the client, potentially biasing the information provided. This can lead to inaccurate data collection and subsequent errors in diagnostic reasoning. Choices A, C, and D are open-ended questions that encourage the client to provide unbiased information and allow for a more comprehensive assessment.

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