Nursing Elites

1. How should a healthcare professional assess for infection in a patient post-surgery?

• A. Check the surgical site
• B. Check for fever
• C. Check for abnormal breath sounds
• D. Check the patient's skin color

Correct answer: A

Rationale: When assessing for infection in a patient post-surgery, checking the surgical site is crucial. Changes in the appearance of the surgical site, such as redness, swelling, warmth, or drainage, can indicate an infection. While checking for fever (Choice B) is also important as it can be a sign of infection, it is a more general symptom and may not always be present. Checking for abnormal breath sounds (Choice C) and skin color (Choice D) are not typically direct indicators of infection in a post-surgery patient.

2. A nurse is caring for a client who has cirrhosis and a new prescription for lactulose. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following therapeutic effects of this medication?

• A. Improved mental status.
• B. Increased urine output.
• C. Decreased serum ammonia.
• D. Decreased bilirubin levels.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decreased serum ammonia. Lactulose is prescribed to decrease serum ammonia levels in clients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. By reducing serum ammonia, lactulose helps improve the mental status of these clients. Therefore, monitoring for decreased serum ammonia is crucial to assess the effectiveness of lactulose therapy. Choice A (Improved mental status) is indirectly related as it is the desired outcome of decreasing ammonia levels. Choices B (Increased urine output) and D (Decreased bilirubin levels) are not directly associated with the therapeutic effects of lactulose in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy.

3. A client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine is receiving teaching from a nurse. Which statement by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

• A. I will need to take this medication for 3 months.
• B. I will take this medication with an antacid.
• C. I will avoid foods that contain iodine.
• D. I will take this medication in the morning before breakfast.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: "I will take this medication in the morning before breakfast." Levothyroxine should be taken in the morning before breakfast to improve absorption and effectiveness. Choice A is incorrect because the duration of levothyroxine therapy is usually long-term and not limited to 3 months. Choice B is incorrect because levothyroxine should not be taken with antacids as they may decrease its absorption. Choice C is incorrect because there is no need to avoid foods that contain iodine while taking levothyroxine.

4. A client with iron deficiency anemia has a new prescription for ferrous sulfate. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Take with a glass of milk to prevent stomach upset.
• B. Take with orange juice to enhance absorption.
• C. Take on an empty stomach to increase absorption.
• D. Take with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction is to take ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach to increase absorption. This is because taking it with food or dairy products like milk can reduce its absorption. Orange juice is not recommended as it may interfere with the absorption of iron. Taking ferrous sulfate on an empty stomach may cause gastrointestinal upset, but this can be minimized by gradually increasing the dose.

5. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is receiving foot care education from a nurse. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Soak your feet in warm water daily.
• B. Wear cotton socks.
• C. Apply lotion to your feet after bathing.
• D. Trim toenails straight across.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Trim toenails straight across.' In clients with diabetes, trimming toenails straight across is important to prevent ingrown toenails, reducing the risk of infections. Soaking feet in warm water daily (choice A) can lead to dry skin and potentially cause skin breakdown in diabetic clients. While wearing cotton socks (choice B) is beneficial for good foot hygiene, it is not as crucial as trimming toenails correctly. Applying lotion to feet after bathing (choice C) is helpful for moisturizing the skin, but the emphasis should be on nail care to prevent complications like ingrown toenails.

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