Nursing Elites

1. A patient is admitted with signs of stroke. Which of the following diagnostic tests should the nurse anticipate as the priority?

• A. CT scan
• B. MRI
• C. X-ray
• D. Ultrasound

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A CT scan is the priority diagnostic test to identify and confirm the location and severity of a stroke.

2. 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.

3. A healthcare provider is assessing a client who has been using beclomethasone for 2 weeks to manage her asthma. What is the priority to report to the provider?

• A. Sore throat
• B. Cough
• C. Chest tightness
• D. Bronchospasms

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Bronchospasms. Bronchospasms can indicate worsening asthma and are considered a severe side effect that requires immediate attention. While sore throat, cough, and chest tightness are also possible side effects of beclomethasone, bronchospasms are of higher concern due to their association with significant respiratory distress and potential exacerbation of asthma symptoms.

4. A nurse is planning a staff education program to review nursing interventions for clients who have kidney failure. Which of the following sources should the nurse identify as the best resource for obtaining evidence-based information?

• A. The advice of an expert nephrology nurse
• B. Retrospective chart reviews
• C. Facility critical pathway
• D. A recent peer-reviewed nursing research article

Correct answer: D

Rationale: A peer-reviewed nursing research article is the best resource for obtaining evidence-based information because it provides the most current and reliable data on nursing interventions. Choice A, the advice of an expert nephrology nurse, may be helpful but could be based on individual experience rather than the latest research. Retrospective chart reviews (Choice B) focus on past cases and may not reflect current best practices. Facility critical pathways (Choice C) offer standardized care plans but may not always incorporate the most up-to-date evidence-based practices.

5. A client reports severe pain unrelieved by pain medication in a limb with traction. What is the nurse's priority?

• A. Increase the dosage of pain medication.
• B. Assess for compartment syndrome.
• C. Wait for the healthcare provider to address the issue.
• D. Reposition the client to alleviate the pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess for compartment syndrome. Severe unrelieved pain in a limb with traction can be a sign of compartment syndrome, a surgical emergency. Prompt assessment is crucial to prevent potential complications. Increasing pain medication dosage without addressing the underlying cause may delay necessary interventions. Waiting for the healthcare provider may lead to a critical delay in treatment. Repositioning the client may not alleviate the pain if it is due to compartment syndrome, and it is crucial to assess for this condition first.

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