Nursing Elites

1. The healthcare provider is caring for a client with a chest tube following thoracic surgery. Which intervention should the healthcare provider include in the plan of care?

• A. Clamp the chest tube for 30 minutes every 2 hours.
• B. Milk the chest tube to ensure patency.
• C. Keep the drainage system at the level of the chest.
• D. Ensure that the chest tube is not clamped or kinked.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Ensuring that the chest tube is not clamped or kinked is essential to maintain proper drainage and prevent complications. Clamping the chest tube can lead to a buildup of pressure in the pleural space, causing potential harm to the client. Milking the chest tube is not recommended as it can cause damage to the delicate tubing. Keeping the drainage system at the level of the chest ensures proper drainage by gravity, preventing backflow of fluids, but ensuring the tube is not clamped or kinked takes precedence in this scenario.

2. A female client is admitted with a tentative diagnosis of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Which finding is most important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?

• A. Facial weakness and difficulty speaking.
• B. Decreased deep tendon reflexes in the legs.
• C. Inability to move the eyes.
• D. Respiratory distress and cyanosis.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: In Guillain-Barre syndrome, decreased deep tendon reflexes are a critical finding that may indicate impending respiratory failure. This is due to the involvement of the peripheral nervous system affecting the muscles, including those involved in breathing. Reporting decreased deep tendon reflexes promptly is essential to prevent respiratory compromise. Facial weakness, difficulty speaking, and inability to move the eyes are common manifestations of Guillain-Barre syndrome but are not as immediately concerning as respiratory distress and impending respiratory failure.

3. The nurse is assisting with the triage of clients at a large community disaster and finds a man lying on the ground, who states that the blast threw him out of a second-story window. Which action should the nurse implement first?

• A. Logroll the client to his side and assess for back injuries
• B. Perform a complete neurological assessment
• C. Open the client's airway immediately
• D. Place the nurse's hands around the client's neck to stabilize

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Opening the client's airway immediately is the priority in this scenario. Ensuring the airway is clear takes precedence over other actions as it is crucial for the client's breathing and oxygenation. Logrolling the client to assess for back injuries may worsen the condition if there are spinal injuries, so this should not be done as the first step. Performing a complete neurological assessment is important but not the immediate priority over ensuring the airway is clear. Placing the nurse's hands around the client's neck to stabilize is incorrect and could potentially harm the client, as neck stabilization should only be done if there is a suspected neck injury, which is not indicated in this case.

4. A client with a history of diabetes mellitus is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Which finding requires immediate intervention?

• A. Blood glucose of 200 mg/dL.
• B. Serum bicarbonate of 20 mEq/L.
• C. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg.
• D. Urine output of 50 mL in 4 hours.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: In a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), urine output of 50 mL in 4 hours indicates oliguria, which is a concerning sign of decreased renal perfusion and potential renal failure. This finding requires immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration of kidney function.\n\nChoice A (Blood glucose of 200 mg/dL) is elevated but not the most urgent concern in this scenario. Choice B (Serum bicarbonate of 20 mEq/L) reflects metabolic acidosis, which is expected in DKA but does not require immediate intervention. Choice C (Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg) is slightly elevated but not acutely concerning in the context of DKA.

5. A client with a history of myocardial infarction is prescribed aspirin therapy. Which instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?

• A. Take aspirin with food.
• B. Take aspirin at the same time every day.
• C. Avoid taking aspirin with alcohol.
• D. Discontinue aspirin if you experience ringing in your ears.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct instruction for the nurse to include in the client's teaching plan is to avoid taking aspirin with alcohol. Combining aspirin with alcohol can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and other complications. Taking aspirin with food helps reduce stomach upset, but it is not the most crucial instruction in this scenario. While taking aspirin at the same time every day can help with consistency, it is not as critical as avoiding alcohol. Discontinuing aspirin if experiencing ringing in the ears is important to address potential side effects, but it is not directly related to preventing complications when combining with alcohol.

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