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. If a nurse is uncomfortable documenting a verbal prescription, what should the nurse do?

• A. Document the prescription without seeking clarification.
• B. Clarify the verbal prescription with the healthcare provider.
• C. Refuse to document the prescription.
• D. Speak with the client's family to clarify the situation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a nurse is uncomfortable documenting a verbal prescription, the best course of action is to clarify the prescription with the healthcare provider. This is crucial to ensure that the information is accurate and to provide safe and appropriate care. Option A is incorrect because blindly documenting without seeking clarification can lead to errors. Option C is incorrect as refusing to document the prescription altogether is not in the best interest of the patient. Option D is also incorrect as speaking with the client's family is not the appropriate step to clarify a verbal prescription; the healthcare provider should be the primary source for this clarification.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who had a stroke involving the right cerebral hemisphere. The nurse should monitor for which of the following findings?

• A. Deficits in the right visual field
• B. Unable to discriminate words and letters
• C. Motor retardation
• D. Poor impulse control

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, poor impulse control. Right hemisphere strokes commonly affect judgment and safety awareness, leading to poor impulse control. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect for this scenario. Deficits in the right visual field are associated with left hemisphere strokes, while the inability to discriminate words and letters is typically seen with left hemisphere damage. Motor retardation is more common in strokes affecting the motor areas of the brain, not specifically related to right hemisphere strokes.

4. After a case manager completes a history and physical assessment for a client with COPD, which of the following actions should the case manager take next?

• A. Call the provider with a list of client concerns.
• B. Identify the client's current health needs.
• C. Compile a list of community resources for the client.
• D. Refer the client to a COPD support group.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: After completing a history and physical assessment for a client with COPD, the next step for the case manager should be to call the provider with a list of client concerns. This is crucial as the provider needs to be informed about any issues or changes in the client's health status to ensure appropriate management. Identifying the client's current health needs, as mentioned in option B, is important but would typically follow after communicating the client's concerns to the provider. Compiling a list of community resources (option C) and referring the client to a COPD support group (option D) are also valuable actions but are not the immediate next steps after completing the assessment.

5. What is the most appropriate method for assessing a patient's pain level?

• A. Observe the patient's facial expressions.
• B. Use a standardized pain scale, such as 0-10.
• C. Ask the patient to rate their pain based on their mood.
• D. Ask the patient's family members to assess the pain.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most appropriate method for assessing a patient's pain level is to use a standardized pain scale, such as a 0-10 scale. This method provides an objective and consistent way to measure and communicate the intensity of pain experienced by the patient. Choice A, observing facial expressions, can be subjective and may not always accurately reflect the level of pain. Choice C, asking the patient to rate their pain based on their mood, may be influenced by various factors unrelated to pain. Choice D, involving the patient's family members in assessing the pain, is not ideal as pain is a subjective experience that should be reported by the patient themselves.

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