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 client who is in labor and has an external fetal monitor in place. The nurse observes late decelerations in the fetal heart rate. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• A. Decrease the client's IV fluids
• B. Reposition the client
• C. Administer oxygen by face mask
• D. Document the findings

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Administering oxygen by face mask is the priority intervention when late decelerations are observed in the fetal heart rate. Late decelerations indicate uteroplacental insufficiency, and administering oxygen helps to improve fetal oxygenation. Repositioning the client may also be necessary to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord, but providing oxygen takes precedence to enhance fetal oxygenation. Decreasing IV fluids may not directly address the underlying issue leading to late decelerations. Documenting the findings is important but should not be the first action taken when managing late decelerations.

3. A nurse is evaluating a client receiving hemodialysis. Which of the following lab values requires immediate intervention?

• A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
• B. Potassium 6.5 mEq/L
• C. Calcium 9 mg/dL
• D. Chloride 98 mEq/L

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Potassium levels above 5.0 mEq/L can lead to cardiac issues, and a level of 6.5 mEq/L requires immediate intervention. Hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Choices A, C, and D are within normal ranges and do not require immediate intervention in the context of hemodialysis monitoring.

4. A nurse witnesses a colleague administering the wrong IV solution to a client. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Complete an incident report.
• B. Ask the colleague if they intend to report the error.
• C. Call the healthcare provider to notify them of the error.
• D. Notify the supervisor about the situation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first step for the nurse to take in this situation is to ask the colleague if they intend to report the error. It is important to address the error promptly and directly with the colleague involved to ensure that the appropriate actions are taken to correct the mistake and prevent harm to the client. Completing an incident report, calling the healthcare provider, or notifying the supervisor can be done after discussing the error with the colleague. Immediate communication with the colleague directly involved in the error is crucial to address the situation effectively.

5. 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.

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