Nursing Elites

1. What are the early signs of heart failure in a patient?

• A. Shortness of breath and weight gain
• B. Fatigue and chest pain
• C. Nausea and vomiting
• D. Cough and elevated blood pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Shortness of breath and weight gain. Early signs of heart failure typically manifest as shortness of breath due to fluid accumulation in the lungs and weight gain due to fluid retention in the body. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Fatigue and chest pain are symptoms commonly associated with heart conditions but are not specific early signs of heart failure. Nausea and vomiting are not typically early signs of heart failure. Cough can be a symptom of heart failure, but it is usually associated with other symptoms like shortness of breath rather than being an isolated early sign. Elevated blood pressure is not an early sign of heart failure; in fact, heart failure is more commonly associated with low blood pressure.

2. A client with multiple fractures following a motor-vehicle crash is struggling with opening a milk carton. Which of the following client statements should the nurse recommend a referral to an occupational therapist?

• A. I can't brush my teeth properly
• B. I am so frustrated I can't open my milk carton
• C. I can't hold a pencil
• D. I can't write anymore

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B. Struggling to open a milk carton indicates difficulty with fine motor skills and activities of daily living. This statement suggests a need for assistance from an occupational therapist to improve hand strength, coordination, and independence in performing essential tasks. Choices A, C, and D do not directly relate to the need for occupational therapy services in this context. In contrast, the inability to open a milk carton highlights specific challenges that occupational therapy can address effectively.

3. How should a healthcare professional assess a patient with fluid overload?

• A. Monitor weight and assess for edema
• B. Monitor blood pressure and auscultate lung sounds
• C. Assess for jugular venous distention
• D. Monitor oxygen saturation and check for fluid retention

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct way to assess a patient with fluid overload is by monitoring weight and assessing for edema. Weight monitoring helps in detecting fluid retention, and edema is a visible sign of excess fluid accumulation. Although monitoring blood pressure and auscultating lung sounds are important assessments in heart failure, they are not specific to fluid overload. Assessing for jugular venous distention is more indicative of right-sided heart failure rather than fluid overload. Monitoring oxygen saturation and checking for fluid retention are not primary assessments for fluid overload.

4. What is the initial step a nurse should take when irrigating a wound?

• A. Wear sterile gloves while removing the old dressing
• B. Cleanse the wound from the center outward
• C. Apply a warm compress to the wound
• D. Use a 20 mL syringe to irrigate the wound

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct first action when irrigating a wound is to cleanse the wound from the center outward. This method helps remove debris and pathogens effectively, reducing the risk of infection. Choice A is incorrect because wearing sterile gloves should be done before starting the wound irrigation but is not the first action in the process. Choice C is incorrect as applying a warm compress is not the initial step in wound irrigation. Choice D is also incorrect as using a syringe to irrigate the wound comes after cleansing the wound.

5. What is the nurse's priority when caring for a client with a tracheostomy who is showing signs of respiratory distress?

• A. Administer a bronchodilator
• B. Suction the tracheostomy
• C. Notify the physician immediately
• D. Increase the oxygen flow rate

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to suction the tracheostomy. When a client with a tracheostomy is experiencing respiratory distress, the priority intervention is to clear the airway by suctioning the tracheostomy to remove secretions that may be obstructing the air passage. Administering a bronchodilator (Choice A) may be considered if bronchospasm is present, but the immediate focus should be on clearing the airway. Notifying the physician (Choice C) is important but should not delay the immediate intervention of suctioning. Increasing the oxygen flow rate (Choice D) may provide temporary relief, but addressing the root cause of the distress by suctioning is the priority.

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