Nursing Elites

1. A patient with diabetes is admitted with high blood sugar levels. What is the nurse's priority intervention?

• A. Administer insulin as prescribed.
• B. Encourage the patient to exercise regularly.
• C. Encourage the patient to drink water.
• D. Provide the patient with a low-sugar diet.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering insulin is the priority intervention for a patient admitted with high blood sugar levels because it helps lower the blood sugar levels effectively and rapidly. Insulin is a crucial medication for managing hyperglycemia in diabetes. Encouraging exercise (choice B) can be beneficial in the long term for managing blood sugar levels but is not the most immediate priority. While staying hydrated (choice C) is important, it is not the priority intervention when dealing with high blood sugar levels. Providing a low-sugar diet (choice D) is essential for long-term diabetes management but is not the immediate action needed to address high blood sugar levels in an admitted patient.

2. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being cared for by a nurse. What is the most appropriate action to improve the patient's oxygenation?

• A. Encourage the patient to use incentive spirometry.
• B. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula as prescribed.
• C. Assist the patient with coughing and deep breathing exercises.
• D. Position the patient in a high Fowler's position.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Administering oxygen via nasal cannula as prescribed is the most appropriate action to improve the patient's oxygenation in COPD. Oxygen therapy helps maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood, which is crucial for managing COPD. Encouraging the use of incentive spirometry, assisting with coughing and deep breathing exercises, and positioning the patient in high Fowler's position are all beneficial interventions, but administering oxygen is the priority for immediate oxygenation support in COPD.

3. A healthcare provider orders a medication dose three times higher than usual. What is the nurse's first step?

• A. Administer the medication but monitor the patient closely.
• B. Verify the dosage with the prescribing provider.
• C. Administer a lower dose to minimize the risk.
• D. Hold the medication and wait for further clarification.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Verify the dosage with the prescribing provider. When faced with an unusual medication dose, the nurse's initial action should be to confirm the order with the healthcare provider who prescribed it. This step is crucial to prevent medication errors and ensure patient safety. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because administering the medication without clarification, administering a lower dose without approval, or holding the medication without consulting the provider can all pose risks to the patient's well-being.

4. A nurse is preparing to administer ampicillin 500 mg IV bolus every 6 hours. Available is ampicillin 500 mg in 50 mL dextrose 5% in water (D5W) to infuse over 20 minutes. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr?

• A. 100 mL/hr
• B. 150 mL/hr
• C. 200 mL/hr
• D. 250 mL/hr

Correct answer: B

Rationale: To infuse 50 mL over 20 minutes, the pump should be set to 150 mL/hr. This calculation ensures the correct rate for the infusion of the medication. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the correct calculation based on the given information.

5. Which goal is most appropriate for a patient who has had a total hip replacement?

• A. The nurse will assist the patient in ambulating in the hall 2 times a day.
• B. The patient will walk 100 feet using a walker by the time of discharge.
• C. The patient will ambulate briskly on the treadmill by the time of discharge.
• D. The patient will ambulate independently by the time of discharge.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Choice B is the most appropriate goal for a patient who has had a total hip replacement because it is specific, measurable, and achievable. Walking 100 feet using a walker is a realistic and individualized target for a patient in the recovery phase following hip surgery. Choices A, C, and D are not as suitable: Choice A does not specify a measurable distance or objective, Choice C sets a potentially unrealistic expectation for brisk ambulation on a treadmill, and Choice D lacks the specificity of the distance to be walked.

Similar Questions