Nursing Elites

1. In a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which of the following interventions is most important?

• A. Encouraging the patient to stop smoking.
• B. Administering bronchodilators.
• C. Monitoring oxygen saturation.
• D. Providing nutritional support.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Monitoring oxygen saturation is the most important intervention in a patient with COPD because it helps assess the adequacy of oxygenation. In COPD, patients often have compromised lung function, leading to decreased oxygen levels in the blood. Monitoring oxygen saturation allows healthcare providers to promptly identify and address any potential hypoxemia, which is vital in managing COPD exacerbations. While encouraging the patient to stop smoking (Choice A) is critical for long-term management, monitoring oxygen saturation takes precedence in the immediate care of a COPD patient. Administering bronchodilators (Choice B) and providing nutritional support (Choice D) are important aspects of managing COPD but are secondary to monitoring oxygen saturation, which directly impacts the patient's oxygenation status.

2. Which of the following is a primary intervention for a patient with sepsis?

• A. Administering antibiotics
• B. Administering IV fluids
• C. Administering antipyretics
• D. Monitoring blood cultures

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Monitoring blood cultures is a primary intervention for a patient with sepsis because it helps identify the causative organism, which is crucial in guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy. Administering antibiotics (Choice A) is important in treating sepsis but is considered a secondary intervention. Administering IV fluids (Choice B) is also crucial for sepsis management to restore perfusion and hemodynamic stability. Administering antipyretics (Choice C) may help reduce fever, but it is not a primary intervention for managing sepsis.

3. An older client with long-term type 2 diabetes Mellitus (DM) is seen in the clinic for a routine health assessment. Which assessment would the nurse complete to determine if a patient with type 2 diabetes Mellitus (DM) is experiencing long-term complications?

• A. Signs of respiratory tract infection
• B. Sensation in feet and legs
• C. Skin condition of lower extremities
• D. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assessing sensation in the feet and legs is crucial for detecting diabetic neuropathy, a common long-term complication of diabetes. While signs of respiratory tract infection, skin condition of lower extremities, and serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels are important assessments in diabetic care, they are not specific for detecting long-term complications like neuropathy.

4. A middle-aged female client with diabetes mellitus is being treated for the third episode of acute pyelonephritis in the past year. The client asks, 'What can I do to help prevent these infections?' How should the nurse respond?

• A. Test your urine daily for the presence of ketone bodies and proteins.
• B. Use tampons rather than sanitary napkins during your menstrual period.
• C. Drink more water and empty your bladder more frequently during the day.
• D. Keep your hemoglobin A1c under 9% by controlling your blood sugar levels.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Clients with long-standing diabetes mellitus are at risk for pyelonephritis due to various reasons. Elevated blood glucose levels in diabetes can lead to glucose spilling into the urine, altering the pH and creating a conducive environment for bacterial growth. Neuropathy associated with diabetes can reduce bladder tone and diminish the sensation of bladder fullness, resulting in less frequent voiding and increased risk of stasis and bacterial overgrowth. Increasing fluid intake, particularly water, and voiding regularly can help prevent stasis and microbial overgrowth. Testing urine for ketones and proteins or using tampons instead of sanitary napkins are not effective strategies for preventing pyelonephritis. Keeping the hemoglobin A1c levels below 9% is crucial for managing diabetes, but it alone does not directly prevent pyelonephritis.

5. A client who just returned from the recovery room after a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is restless, and her pulse rate is increased. As the nurse continues the assessment, the client begins to vomit a copious amount of bright-red blood. The immediate nursing action is to:

• A. Notify the surgeon
• B. Continue the assessment
• C. Check the client’s blood pressure
• D. Obtain a flashlight, gauze, and a curved hemostat

Correct answer: A

Rationale: In the scenario described, the client's presentation with bright-red blood vomiting after a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy is highly concerning for an immediate postoperative hemorrhage, which can be life-threatening. The priority action for the nurse is to notify the surgeon immediately. Prompt communication with the surgeon is vital to ensure swift intervention and appropriate management to address the hemorrhage effectively. Continuing the assessment, checking the client's blood pressure, or obtaining equipment are all secondary actions in this critical situation and would delay the necessary urgent intervention required to manage the hemorrhage effectively.

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