Nursing Elites

1. Why is monitoring Serum Vancomycin levels important?

• A. to assess renal function
• B. to determine therapeutic range
• C. to measure trough levels
• D. to evaluate antibiotic resistance

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Monitoring Serum Vancomycin levels is essential to determine the drug's therapeutic range, ensuring optimal effectiveness while avoiding toxicity. Peak levels indicate the drug's highest concentration, while trough levels represent the lowest concentration before the next dose. Assessing renal function is typically done using creatinine, BUN, or creatinine clearance tests, not Serum Vancomycin levels. Evaluating antibiotic resistance involves sensitivity testing, not monitoring Vancomycin levels. Therefore, the correct answer is to determine the therapeutic range.

2. All of the following tasks could be delegated to a nursing assistant or unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) except:

• A. monitoring intravenous infusion
• B. assisting a client to the bathroom
• C. offering fluid intake every 1-2 hours
• D. monitoring/recording the amount of fluid taken

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Monitoring an intravenous infusion involves assessing for complications, adjusting the flow rate, and monitoring the client's response, which requires the knowledge and skills of a licensed nurse (RN or LPN). Tasks that can be delegated to nursing assistants or unlicensed assistive personnel include assisting a client to the bathroom, offering fluids, and recording fluid intake. These activities are within the scope of practice for UAPs as they do not involve the specialized knowledge and training needed for intravenous infusion monitoring.

3. When planning task assignments for five clients on the skilled nursing unit in a long-term care facility, which task should a licensed practical nurse (LPN) assign to another LPN?

• A. Bathing a client who is confused and requires assistance with a shower
• B. Administering regular insulin in accordance with a sliding-dosage scale every 4 hours to a client with diabetes mellitus
• C. Assisting a client requiring a bed bath and frequent ambulation with a cane
• D. Transporting a client who must be accompanied to physical therapy twice during the shift

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When assigning tasks, the nurse must consider the skills and educational level of the nursing staff. The nursing assistant may be assigned tasks like caring for a confused client, assisting with a shower or a bed bath, ambulating a client with a cane, and accompanying a client to physical therapy. The LPN is educated to administer medications like regular insulin in accordance with a sliding scale. This task requires a higher level of training and knowledge than the tasks that can be delegated to a nursing assistant. Administering insulin involves assessing blood glucose levels, calculating dosages, and understanding the effects of insulin therapy on the client's condition. Therefore, the correct answer is administering regular insulin to a client with diabetes mellitus. Choices A, C, and D involve tasks that are within the scope of practice of a nursing assistant, not an LPN.

4. A nurse planning care for her assigned clients understands that which aspect is the purpose of the hospital's standards of care?

• A. Identify methods of treatment.
• B. Provide direction for care based on the client's diagnosis.
• C. Identify new care methods based on current medical research.
• D. Provide direction for the practice of nursing

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The purpose of the hospital's standards of care is to provide a broad direction for the overall practice of nursing that applies to all nursing situations, across specialty areas, and across the country. These standards guide the practice of nursing by outlining the expected level of care and professional performance. While identifying methods of treatment is important, it is usually specific to individual client needs and not the overarching goal of standards of care. Providing direction for care solely based on the client's diagnosis is limited to a particular patient's treatment plan and does not encompass the broader scope of nursing practice. Identifying new care methods based on current medical research is essential for advancing healthcare practices but is not the primary purpose of the hospital's standards of care.

5. A client admitted to the hospital has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in his medical record. The nurse understands which information about DNR orders?

• A. The only individuals who may change the DNR order are healthcare providers
• B. The DNR order can be changed if the client's condition warrants it
• C. The DNR order does not remain fixed for the duration of the client's hospitalization
• D. The DNR order requires frequent review as specified by state or agency policy

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is that the DNR order requires frequent review as specified by state or agency policy. If the client's condition changes, the DNR order may need to be changed. For this reason, DNR orders require frequent review as specified by state or agency policy. A DNR order may be changed at any time and does not remain in effect for the duration of the client's hospitalization. The client's request regarding DNR status is the priority. Choice A is incorrect because healthcare providers, not just immediate family members, may change the DNR order based on the client's condition. Choice B is incorrect as DNR orders can be changed if the client's condition warrants it, not remaining unchanged. Choice C is incorrect as DNR orders are not fixed for the duration of hospitalization, they can be modified based on the client's needs.

Similar Questions