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 is caring for a patient who has just returned from surgery. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Monitor the patient's pain level.
• B. Assess the patient's vital signs.
• C. Assess the surgical incision site.
• D. Position the patient in a high Fowler's position.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the patient's vital signs. Assessing vital signs is crucial as it helps to detect any early signs of complications such as bleeding, shock, or changes in oxygenation. Monitoring the patient's pain level (Choice A) is important but assessing vital signs takes precedence. While assessing the surgical incision site (Choice C) is essential, ensuring the patient's physiological stability through vital sign assessment is the priority. Positioning the patient in a high Fowler's position (Choice D) may be necessary for comfort but does not address the immediate need to assess the patient's condition post-surgery.

3. A case manager at an assisted living facility is reviewing the use of complementary health practices by several clients. Which of the following actions should the case manager plan to take?

• A. Plan to report a client's use of echinacea to the provider as a contraindication to aspirin therapy
• B. Plan to schedule time for a new client to continue tai chi practice as a stress reduction technique
• C. Tell a client that yoga has not been proven effective to reduce manifestations of menopause
• D. Tell a client who drinks cranberry juice daily that it can help treat existing urinary tract infections

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Tai chi is a recognized complementary health practice for stress reduction. Scheduling time for a new client to continue tai chi practice aligns with supporting holistic care. Choice A is incorrect because reporting a client's use of echinacea as a contraindication to aspirin therapy is not necessary without further context or evidence of interactions. Choice C is wrong because yoga can indeed be effective in reducing manifestations of menopause. Choice D is also incorrect because while cranberry juice is known to help prevent urinary tract infections, it is not typically used to treat existing infections.

4. A client has a prescription for vancomycin 1g IV intermittent infusion over 30 minutes every 12 hours. What action should the nurse take?

• A. Start the infusion immediately
• B. Slow down the infusion rate
• C. Contact the provider for prescription clarification
• D. Check blood pressure during the infusion

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to contact the provider for prescription clarification. Administering vancomycin over less than 60 minutes can lead to infusion reactions like hypotension and flushing. Starting the infusion immediately (choice A) is incorrect as it goes against the prescribed rate. Slowing down the infusion rate (choice B) without provider approval can result in underdosing the medication. Checking blood pressure during the infusion (choice D) is important but not the most immediate action needed in this situation.

5. A nurse manager assigns a nursing assistant a task outside of their role. What should the nursing assistant do?

• A. Follow the manager's directive
• B. Report the task to the charge nurse
• C. Refuse to perform the task
• D. Perform the task and document later

Correct answer: B

Rationale: If a nurse manager assigns a nursing assistant a task that is outside of their role, the nursing assistant should report the task to the charge nurse. This is important because the charge nurse can provide guidance on whether the task is appropriate for the nursing assistant to perform. Choice A is incorrect because blindly following a directive that is outside of the nursing assistant's scope could lead to negative consequences. Choice C might not be the best course of action initially, as it's important to seek clarification first. Choice D is also not the best option because performing a task outside of one's role without proper authorization can pose risks to both the patient and the nursing assistant.

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