Nursing Elites

1. A patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication. What should the nurse assess for?

• A. Check for compartment syndrome
• B. Increase the pain medication
• C. Prepare the patient for surgery immediately
• D. Administer a sedative to calm the patient

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Correct answer: When a patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment compromises circulation and can lead to tissue damage. It is a surgical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Choice B is incorrect because simply increasing pain medication without identifying the cause of the unrelieved pain may mask symptoms of a serious issue like compartment syndrome. Choice C is incorrect as surgery would only be necessary if compartment syndrome is confirmed. Choice D is incorrect as administering a sedative does not address the underlying issue of unrelieved pain and may delay appropriate treatment.

2. 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.

3. What are the important considerations when administering blood products to a patient?

• A. Ensuring proper documentation of the transfusion
• B. Verifying the patient's identity before administration
• C. Monitoring for allergic reactions or transfusion reactions
• D. Monitoring the patient's vital signs during transfusion

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Verifying the patient's identity before administration is a critical step to ensure that the correct blood product is given to the right patient, thereby preventing transfusion errors. While ensuring proper documentation of the transfusion (choice A) is important for record-keeping, verifying patient identity (choice B) directly addresses the risk of administering blood to the wrong patient. Monitoring for allergic reactions or transfusion reactions (choice C) and monitoring the patient's vital signs during transfusion (choice D) are also essential considerations during blood product administration, but verifying patient identity takes precedence to prevent potentially life-threatening errors.

4. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client by nasogastric tube. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Administer the medication without further assessment.
• B. Check the tube placement before administering any medication.
• C. Administer the medication in liquid form only.
• D. Administer half the dosage as a precaution.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Check the tube placement before administering any medication. Before administering medication through a nasogastric tube, the nurse must first verify the tube's correct placement to ensure the medication reaches the stomach and to prevent complications such as aspiration. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because administering medication without confirming proper tube placement can lead to serious consequences for the client.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative following a cholecystectomy and reports pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take? (SATA)

• A. Change the client's position
• B. Identify the client's pain level
• C. Remind the client to use incisional splinting
• D. Offer the client a back rub

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct actions the nurse should take when caring for a client postoperative following a cholecystectomy and reporting pain include changing the client's position. This can help relieve postoperative pain by reducing pressure on the surgical site. Identifying the client's pain level is important but not specific to alleviating postoperative pain. While reminding the client to use incisional splinting can be beneficial, it may not directly address the immediate pain concern. Offering the client a back rub is not typically indicated for postoperative pain relief after a cholecystectomy.

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