Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare professional caring for a patient who is immobile frequently checks for impaired skin integrity. What is the rationale for this action?

• A. Inadequate blood flow leads to decreased tissue ischemia.
• B. Patients with limited caloric intake develop thicker skin.
• C. Pressure reduces circulation to affected tissue.
• D. Verbalization of skin care needs is decreased.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The rationale behind checking for impaired skin integrity in an immobile patient is that pressure reduces circulation to the affected tissue. Prolonged pressure on specific body parts can lead to reduced blood flow to those areas, causing tissue damage and potentially leading to pressure ulcers. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because inadequate blood flow causing decreased tissue ischemia, limited caloric intake leading to thicker skin, and decreased verbalization of skin care needs are not directly related to the rationale for checking for impaired skin integrity in immobile patients.

2. The nurse is providing care for a client who is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely to assess for complications?

• A. Serum potassium
• B. Blood glucose
• C. Serum sodium
• D. Serum calcium

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Blood glucose. When caring for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), monitoring blood glucose levels is essential due to the increased risk of hyperglycemia associated with TPN infusion. Elevated blood glucose levels can lead to complications such as hyperglycemia, which can be harmful to the client. While monitoring serum potassium (Choice A), serum sodium (Choice C), and serum calcium (Choice D) are also important aspects of care, when specifically considering TPN administration, blood glucose monitoring takes precedence due to the potential for significant complications related to glucose imbalances.

3. When a nurse instructs a client with hearing loss about cleaning their new hearing aids, which statement indicates that the client understands the instructions?

• A. I use a damp cloth to clean the outside part of my hearing aids.
• B. I clean my hearing aids' ear molds with rubbing alcohol.
• C. I always keep the volume of my hearing aids turned up for better hearing.
• D. I remove the batteries from my hearing aids when not in use at night.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A because cleaning the outside part of hearing aids with a damp cloth is an appropriate method. Rubbing alcohol can damage ear molds, so choice B is incorrect. Keeping the volume of hearing aids turned up high may lead to discomfort, making choice C incorrect. Removing batteries when not in use at night is good practice for battery life, but it does not directly relate to understanding cleaning instructions, so choice D is less relevant in this context.

4. The healthcare professional prepares a 1,000 ml IV of 5% dextrose and water to be infused over 8 hours. The infusion set delivers 10 drops per milliliter. The healthcare professional should regulate the IV to administer approximately how many drops per minute?

• A. 80
• B. 8
• C. 21
• D. 25

Correct answer: C

Rationale: To calculate the drops per minute for the IV infusion, first determine the total drops to be infused over 8 hours. 1,000 ml to be infused over 8 hours means 125 ml per hour (1000 ml / 8 hours = 125 ml/hr). Since the infusion set delivers 10 drops per ml, 125 ml/hr x 10 drops/ml = 1250 drops/hr. To find drops per minute, divide the drops per hour by 60 (minutes in an hour): 1250 drops/hr / 60 minutes = 20.83 drops/minute, which rounds up to 21 drops per minute (Option C). This rate ensures the correct infusion rate over 8 hours. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect calculations and do not provide the appropriate infusion rate needed to administer the IV over the specified time period.

5. What action should the nurse take to prevent the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a client who is postoperative day 2 following hip replacement surgery?

• A. Encourage the client to remain on bed rest as much as possible.
• B. Apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) to the client's legs.
• C. Massage the client's legs to improve circulation.
• D. Encourage the client to perform ankle and foot exercises.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct action to prevent DVT in a postoperative client is to apply sequential compression devices (SCDs) to promote venous return. This helps prevent stasis of blood in the lower extremities, reducing the risk of clot formation. Encouraging bed rest (Choice A) may lead to decreased mobility and increase the risk of DVT. Massaging the client's legs (Choice C) is contraindicated in the presence of DVT as it can dislodge a clot. Encouraging ankle and foot exercises (Choice D) may be beneficial for circulation, but SCDs are more effective at preventing DVT in this scenario.

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