Nursing Elites

1. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient's pain who is non-verbal?

• A. Looking for changes in vital signs that may indicate pain
• B. Using alternative methods like touch or distraction
• C. Using a pain scale appropriate for non-verbal patients
• D. Observing for facial expressions or other non-verbal cues

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing pain in non-verbal patients, looking for changes in vital signs that may indicate pain is crucial. While using alternative methods like touch or distraction can be helpful, they may not directly indicate the presence of pain. Using a pain scale appropriate for non-verbal patients is important, but it may not always provide immediate feedback. Observing for facial expressions or other non-verbal cues can be subjective and may not always accurately reflect the level of pain the patient is experiencing. Therefore, monitoring vital signs is a more objective way to assess pain in non-verbal patients.

2. Which action should the nurse take to minimize the risk of medication errors?

• A. Prepare medications ahead of time to ensure they are ready.
• B. Ensure two nurses double-check medications before administration.
• C. Administer medications at the same time each day.
• D. Rely on memory to administer the correct medications.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because ensuring two nurses double-check medications before administration is a crucial step in minimizing the risk of medication errors. This practice helps in verifying the accuracy of medication orders and reducing the chances of mistakes. Choice A may not necessarily prevent errors as preparing medications ahead of time does not guarantee accuracy. Choice C, administering medications at the same time each day, is important for consistency but does not directly address the risk of errors. Choice D, relying on memory, is highly discouraged as it increases the likelihood of errors due to human forgetfulness.

3. What is the most important nursing intervention when caring for a patient with a wound?

• A. Apply an occlusive dressing over the wound.
• B. Clean the wound with normal saline.
• C. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.
• D. Reassess the wound every 4 hours for changes.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most important nursing intervention when caring for a patient with a wound is to clean the wound with normal saline. This is crucial for preventing infection and promoting healing. Applying an occlusive dressing (Choice A) can be important but should come after cleaning the wound. Administering antibiotics (Choice C) is not the first-line intervention for all wounds and should be based on the healthcare provider's prescription. Reassessing the wound (Choice D) is essential but not the most important initial intervention.

4. A patient with a urinary catheter reports discomfort. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Ensure the catheter tubing is not kinked.
• B. Irrigate the catheter to relieve the discomfort.
• C. Change the catheter to a smaller size.
• D. Remove the catheter and replace it with a new one.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to ensure the catheter tubing is not kinked. This is the priority action because a kinked tubing can obstruct urine flow, leading to discomfort and potential complications. It is essential to troubleshoot the current catheter first before considering other interventions. Irrigating the catheter (Choice B) may not address the underlying issue of kinking. Changing the catheter to a smaller size (Choice C) or removing and replacing it with a new one (Choice D) should only be considered if ensuring the tubing is unkinked does not resolve the discomfort.

5. What are the common side effects of opioid analgesics, and how should they be managed?

• A. Drowsiness and dizziness, ensuring safety precautions
• B. Respiratory depression, ensuring adequate ventilation
• C. Constipation and nausea, managed with stool softeners
• D. Nausea and vomiting, managing with antiemetics

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Common side effects of opioid analgesics include drowsiness and dizziness. These side effects can impair a person's ability to operate machinery or drive safely. To manage these side effects, it is essential to advise patients to avoid activities that require alertness until they know how the medication affects them. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because respiratory depression, constipation, and nausea are also common side effects of opioids, but they are not the primary side effects being asked for in this question.

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