Nursing Elites

1. When a client's postoperative pain seems to be getting worse due to grief over the recent death of their spouse, what should the nurse consider?

• A. calling the physician for an increased dosage of pain medication
• B. calling the physician for a sedative
• C. referring the client for a psychiatric consult
• D. developing interventions for grief and loss

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is developing interventions for grief and loss. In this scenario, the client's pain is not solely sensory but also affective due to grieving over the death of their spouse. It is essential to address the emotional component of pain by providing support and interventions for grief and loss. Referring the client for a psychiatric consult may not be necessary as grieving is a normal response to such a significant loss. Calling the physician for an increased dosage of pain medication or a sedative solely focuses on the sensory aspect of pain and does not address the underlying emotional distress.

2. In an emergency situation, the nurse determines whether a client has an airway obstruction. Which of the following does the nurse assess?

• A. ability to speak
• B. ability to hear
• C. oxygen saturation
• D. adventitious breath sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In an emergency situation to assess for airway obstruction, the nurse should prioritize assessing the client's ability to speak. If a client can speak, it indicates that the airway is patent and not completely obstructed, allowing air to pass through the vocal cords for speech production. Choices B, C, and D are not the primary assessments for determining airway obstruction. Assessing the ability to hear is not directly related to an airway obstruction. While oxygen saturation and adventitious breath sounds are important in respiratory assessments, they are not the initial indicators of an airway obstruction. Oxygen saturation reflects the amount of oxygen in the blood, and adventitious breath sounds refer to abnormal lung sounds that may indicate conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis, but they do not specifically confirm airway patency.

3. The nurse assesses a client for physiological risk factors for falls. The nurse should conclude that the client is not at risk if which of the following is discovered?

• A. history of dizziness
• B. need for a wheelchair due to reduced mobility
• C. weakness and fatigue noted when climbing stairs
• D. intact recent and remote memory

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is intact recent and remote memory. Intact memory function indicates that the client is less likely to be at risk for falls as it suggests cognitive awareness and orientation, which are important for safety. Choices A, B, and C are risk factors for falls: a history of dizziness can lead to imbalance, the need for a wheelchair due to reduced mobility can increase fall risk, and weakness and fatigue when climbing stairs indicate physical limitations that predispose a client to falls. Therefore, these options would suggest an increased risk for falls.

4. A nurse working the 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift is reviewing the records of the assigned clients. Which client should the nurse assess first?

• A. A client scheduled for hemodialysis at 10 a.m.
• B. A client scheduled for contrast computed tomography (CT) at noon.
• C. A client scheduled for a nuclear scanning procedure at 10 a.m.
• D. A client scheduled for hydrotherapy for the treatment of a burn injury at 10:30 a.m.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is the client scheduled for hemodialysis at 10 a.m. This client needs immediate assessment before the procedure, which may take up to 5 hours. The nurse should ensure the client is physically and emotionally prepared, check for fluid overload by assessing weight and lung sounds, review vital signs, and laboratory test results. The other clients described in the options have needs that are not as urgent. The client scheduled for a nuclear scanning procedure at 10 a.m. may require information reinforcement and increased fluid intake before the procedure. The client scheduled for hydrotherapy for the treatment of a burn injury at 10:30 a.m. may need pain medication administered 30 minutes prior to the therapy. The client scheduled for a contrast CT at noon may need procedure information reinforcement and a special contrast preparation just before the procedure.

5. A nurse is planning the assignments for the shift. Which task should the nurse assign to the nursing assistant?

• A. Monitoring the vital signs for a client who needs a blood transfusion
• B. Performing hygiene for a client with diarrhea on whom contact precautions have been imposed
• C. Performing a dressing change on a client with a draining abdominal wound that requires frequent dressing changes
• D. Ambulating a client with angina who needs to be ambulated for the first time since admission

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When assigning tasks, a nurse should consider the job description of the nursing assistant, their clinical competence, and state law. Monitoring vital signs for a client needing a blood transfusion, performing a dressing change on a client with a draining wound, and ambulating a client with angina are tasks that require a licensed nurse's skill. On the other hand, providing hygiene care for a client with diarrhea under contact precautions is a task suitable for a nursing assistant. Nursing assistants are trained to provide hygiene care effectively and manage clients under specific precautions, making this task appropriate for them.

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