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 client with a new prescription for levothyroxine is receiving teaching from a nurse. Which statement indicates understanding of the teaching?

• A. I should take this with food
• B. I will see immediate results
• C. I might not realize the full effect of the medication for several weeks
• D. I should stop if I feel better

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'I might not realize the full effect of the medication for several weeks.' Levothyroxine is a medication that may take several weeks for the full effect to be evident. Choice A is incorrect because levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach. Choice B is incorrect because immediate results are not expected with levothyroxine. Choice D is incorrect because stopping the medication without consulting a healthcare provider can be harmful, even if the client feels better.

3. A client who is 97 years old has successfully been treated for heart failure and is found not breathing. There is no DNR order in place. What should the nurse do?

• A. Notify the family and await further instructions.
• B. Initiate CPR and call for emergency assistance.
• C. Allow the family to make decisions about care.
• D. Follow the family's wishes and perform no interventions.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, with no DNR order in place and the client not breathing, the nurse should initiate CPR and call for emergency assistance. Option A is incorrect as immediate action is required in the absence of breathing. Option C is incorrect as the nurse should act promptly to provide life-saving measures. Option D is incorrect because the nurse's primary duty is to provide care in the absence of a directive preventing intervention.

4. What is a recommended nursing action for a client who experiences short-term memory loss after Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)?

• A. Provide cognitive-behavioral therapy
• B. Offer frequent orientation and reassurance
• C. Administer a sedative to improve memory recall
• D. Refer the client to a neurologist for further evaluation

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct nursing action for a client experiencing short-term memory loss after ECT is to offer frequent orientation and reassurance. This helps the client feel supported and aids in memory retention. Providing cognitive-behavioral therapy (Choice A) may be beneficial for other conditions but is not the primary intervention for memory loss post-ECT. Administering a sedative (Choice C) is not recommended as it may further affect memory recall. Referring the client to a neurologist (Choice D) for further evaluation is not the initial action needed; offering support and orientation should be the first approach to manage memory issues post-ECT.

5. A hospice nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new diagnosis of a terminal illness and her family. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

• A. Hospice care focuses on providing comfort and symptom management.
• B. The provider will coordinate your health care needs while in hospice.
• C. You do not need to choose a family caregiver before being admitted into a hospice facility.
• D. Hospice care continues to help families with grief after a death occurs.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because hospice care provides ongoing support to families with grief even after a patient's death. Choice A is incorrect because hospice care focuses on providing comfort and symptom management rather than disease treatment and rehabilitation. Choice B is incorrect as the statement does not accurately reflect the role of a hospice provider. Choice C is incorrect; a family caregiver is not a prerequisite for admission into a hospice facility.

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