Nursing Elites

1. The nurse is caring for a client with rheumatoid arthritis one day after shoulder surgery. What would prompt the nurse to call the provider immediately?

• A. The client refused her pain medication this morning and is doing physical therapy.
• B. The client reports a minor headache and states she takes an over-the-counter pain pill at home.
• C. The client reports intermittent flatus and minor abdominal discomfort.
• D. The client has paresthesia in her fingers and intense increasing pain in her shoulder.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In a client with rheumatoid arthritis one day after shoulder surgery, paresthesia in the fingers and intense increasing pain in the shoulder could indicate nerve compression or damage, which are serious post-operative complications. This situation requires immediate attention from the provider to prevent further complications and ensure appropriate management. The other options, such as refusing pain medication, reporting a minor headache, or experiencing minor abdominal discomfort, are important but not as urgent or indicative of potential serious complications as paresthesia in the fingers and intense increasing pain in the shoulder.

2. To promote independence, which of these is the best intervention to implement?

• A. Perform the client’s activities of daily living for them.
• B. Speak directly in front of the client so they can read your lips well.
• C. Give the client their washcloth and toothbrush and leave the room.
• D. Allow the client to perform the activities of daily living they are able to do.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is to allow the client to perform the activities of daily living they are able to do. This intervention promotes independence by encouraging clients to maintain their functional abilities. Choice A is incorrect as performing the client's activities of daily living for them does not empower independence. Choice B is irrelevant to promoting independence. Choice C is not actively promoting independence as it involves leaving the client alone without any guidance or support.

3. Why is traction used?

• A. It allows the bones to realign
• B. It decreases the risk of misalignment
• C. It promotes wound healing
• D. It allows the client to rest longer

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Traction is used to help align the bones properly during the healing process. Choice A is correct because traction assists in allowing the bones to realign correctly, promoting proper healing. Choice B is incorrect as traction does not decrease the risk of misalignment; instead, it helps reduce misalignment by aiding in bone alignment. Choice C is incorrect because while traction indirectly supports wound healing by ensuring proper bone alignment, its primary purpose is not wound healing. Choice D is incorrect as the primary purpose of traction is not to allow the client to rest longer, but rather to aid in bone alignment for optimal healing.

4. The nurse is assessing a client who had a cast placed 4 hours ago. What assessment finding is cause for concern?

• A. The nurse assesses capillary refill of 2 seconds
• B. The nurse cannot insert one finger between the cast and the skin
• C. The nurse finds 2+ pulses distal from the cast
• D. The nurse does not observe any drainage

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Inability to insert a finger between the cast and skin indicates the cast is too tight, risking circulation problems.

5. The nurse notices a new area of skin breakdown near the site of a dressing. This would be an example of which phase of the nursing process?

• A. Diagnosis
• B. Assessment
• C. Implementation
• D. Evaluation

Correct answer: B

Rationale:

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