Nursing Elites

1. 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.

2. A nurse in the PACU is caring for a client who has received general anesthesia and has a manifestation of malignant hyperthermia. The nurse should expect to administer which of the following medications?

• A. Acetaminophen
• B. Ibuprofen
• C. Dantrolene
• D. Diazepam

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Corrected Rationale: Dantrolene is the medication of choice to treat malignant hyperthermia, a life-threatening reaction to general anesthesia. It works by inhibiting the release of calcium ions in skeletal muscle cells, preventing muscle contracture and hypermetabolism. Acetaminophen (Choice A) and ibuprofen (Choice B) are not indicated for treating malignant hyperthermia. Diazepam (Choice D) may be used to control muscle spasms but is not the first-line treatment for malignant hyperthermia.

3. A nurse is teaching a client about levothyroxine for primary hypothyroidism. Which of the following statements should the nurse use when teaching the client?

• A. Take this medication until your symptoms are gone and then discontinue
• B. Symptoms improve immediately after starting the medication
• C. The medication decreases the overproduction of the thyroid hormone thyroxine
• D. Tremors, nervousness, and insomnia may indicate your dose is too high

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Tremors, nervousness, and insomnia indicate that the dose may be too high, requiring a dose adjustment.

4. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer the initial dose of ceftriaxone to a client who has endometritis. Which of the following statements by the client should cause the healthcare professional to hold the medication and consult the provider?

• A. I have a severe allergy to amoxicillin
• B. I get sick when I take diuretics
• C. I have a history of hearing problems
• D. I take prednisone for my asthma

Correct answer: A

Rationale: A severe allergy to amoxicillin could indicate a potential cross-reactivity with ceftriaxone, so the medication should be held. Cross-reactivity between penicillins (like amoxicillin) and cephalosporins (like ceftriaxone) is a known concern due to their similar chemical structures. Choices B, C, and D do not directly contraindicate the administration of ceftriaxone for endometritis.

5. A client was exposed to anthrax. Which of the following antibiotics should be administered?

• A. Fluconazole
• B. Tobramycin
• C. Ciprofloxacin
• D. Vancomycin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is Ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic effective in treating anthrax exposure. Fluconazole (Choice A) is an antifungal medication used for fungal infections, not anthrax. Tobramycin (Choice B) is an antibiotic used for bacterial infections but is not the first line of treatment for anthrax. Vancomycin (Choice D) is also an antibiotic, but it is not the preferred choice for treating anthrax.

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