Nursing Elites

1. A healthcare provider is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter. Which of the following assessment findings indicates that the catheter requires irrigation?

• A. Bladder scan shows 525 mL
• B. Absent urinary output for 1 hour
• C. Cloudy urine
• D. Bloody urine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. A large bladder scan result (525 mL) suggests catheter blockage and may require irrigation to resolve. Choice B (absent urinary output for 1 hour) could indicate a different issue such as urinary retention but does not specifically indicate the need for catheter irrigation. Choices C (cloudy urine) and D (bloody urine) may suggest infection or other urinary issues, but they do not directly indicate the need for catheter irrigation.

2. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that requires a peak and trough level. What is the nurse's priority action?

• A. Administer the medication before the peak level is obtained.
• B. Withhold the medication until the trough level is obtained.
• C. Administer the medication based on the previous trough level.
• D. Ensure that the medication is administered within 2 hours of the peak level.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The nurse's priority action should be to withhold the medication until the trough level is obtained. This is crucial to ensure accurate dosing based on the patient's levels. Administering the medication before the peak level is obtained (choice A) can lead to incorrect dosing. Administering the medication based on the previous trough level (choice C) may not reflect the current levels accurately. Ensuring that the medication is administered within 2 hours of the peak level (choice D) is not necessary for obtaining accurate peak and trough levels.

3. The nurse is evaluating a client who had a cardiac catheterization with a left antecubital insertion site. Which of the following pulses should the nurse palpate?

• A. Brachial pulse in the right arm
• B. Radial pulse in the right arm
• C. Brachial pulse in the left arm
• D. Radial pulse in the left arm

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to palpate the radial pulse in the left arm. When the antecubital insertion site is on the left side, it is important to assess the radial pulse on the same side to monitor circulation accurately. Palpating the brachial pulse in the right or left arm or the radial pulse in the right arm would not provide direct information about the circulation related to the catheterization site.

4. Which intervention is most effective for managing a patient with constipation?

• A. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
• B. Administer a stool softener as prescribed.
• C. Provide the patient with a high-fiber diet.
• D. Teach the patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective intervention for managing constipation in a patient is to administer a stool softener as prescribed. Stool softeners help relieve constipation by making the stool easier to pass, especially in postoperative patients. Increasing fluid intake can be beneficial but may not address the underlying cause of constipation. While a high-fiber diet is important for bowel health, it may not provide immediate relief for constipation. Teaching a patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers is not recommended for managing constipation as it can lead to adverse effects like increasing intra-abdominal pressure.

5. A client with cirrhosis and ascites requires a care plan. Which intervention should the nurse include?

• A. Increase the client's sodium intake
• B. Increase the client's saturated fat intake
• C. Decrease the client's carbohydrate intake
• D. Decrease the client's fluid intake

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In cirrhosis with ascites, decreasing fluid intake is crucial to manage the condition. This helps prevent further fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Increasing sodium intake (Choice A) can worsen fluid retention and edema. Increasing saturated fat intake (Choice B) is not recommended as it can contribute to liver damage. Decreasing carbohydrate intake (Choice C) is not directly related to managing ascites in cirrhosis.

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