Nursing Elites

1. What is the first nursing action for a patient with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome?

• A. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
• B. Increase fluids to prevent dehydration
• C. Obtain cardiac enzymes
• D. Get IV access and auscultate heart sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering sublingual nitroglycerin is the priority nursing action for a patient with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome. Nitroglycerin helps dilate the blood vessels, improve blood flow to the heart, and reduce cardiac workload. This action aims to relieve chest pain promptly and prevent further cardiac tissue damage. Increasing fluids is not the initial priority for a patient with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome. Obtaining cardiac enzymes is important for diagnosis but is not the first action in managing acute symptoms. Getting IV access and auscultating heart sounds are important interventions, but they come after administering sublingual nitroglycerin in the management of acute coronary syndrome.

2. What should the healthcare provider do if a patient presents with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome?

• A. Administer sublingual nitroglycerin
• B. Administer aspirin
• C. Obtain cardiac enzymes
• D. Get IV access and auscultate heart sounds

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering sublingual nitroglycerin is the priority action in the treatment of chest pain in acute coronary syndrome. Nitroglycerin helps dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow to the heart and relieving chest pain. Aspirin can also be given to reduce clot formation, but nitroglycerin takes precedence in providing immediate relief. Obtaining cardiac enzymes and assessing heart sounds are important steps in the diagnostic process but do not address the immediate need to relieve chest pain and prevent cardiac tissue damage. Therefore, administering sublingual nitroglycerin is the most appropriate initial intervention for a patient presenting with chest pain and possible acute coronary syndrome.

3. What are the expected manifestations in a patient experiencing a thrombotic stroke?

• A. Sudden numbness or loss of function on one side of the body
• B. Sudden loss of consciousness and seizure
• C. Gradual onset of difficulty speaking
• D. Loss of sensation in the affected limb

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct manifestation in a patient experiencing a thrombotic stroke is sudden numbness or loss of function on one side of the body. This is due to the blockage of a blood vessel by a clot, leading to a lack of blood flow to a specific part of the brain. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Sudden loss of consciousness and seizure are more commonly associated with hemorrhagic strokes. Gradual onset of difficulty speaking is often seen in ischemic strokes affecting language areas, not specifically in thrombotic strokes. Loss of sensation in the affected limb is more indicative of sensory nerve damage rather than the motor deficits seen in thrombotic strokes.

4. A nurse is assessing a client who has meningitis. The nurse should identify which of the following findings as a positive Kernig's sign?

• A. After stroking the lateral area of the foot, the client's toes contract and draw together
• B. After hip flexion, the client is unable to extend their leg completely without pain
• C. The client's voluntary movement is not coordinated
• D. The client reports pain and stiffness when flexing their neck

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A positive Kernig's sign is identified when a client is unable to extend their leg completely without pain after hip flexion. This finding suggests meningeal irritation. Choices A, C, and D do not describe Kernig's sign. Choice A describes a normal plantar reflex, Choice C refers to coordination deficits, and Choice D indicates neck pain and stiffness, which are not related to Kernig's sign.

5. A client is to undergo a liver biopsy. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to the client following the procedure?

• A. Lie on your left side.
• B. Lie on your right side.
• C. Increase your fluid intake.
• D. Decrease your fluid intake.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: After a liver biopsy, the nurse should instruct the client to lie on the right side. This position helps apply pressure to the biopsy site, promoting hemostasis and reducing the risk of bleeding. Lying on the left side may not provide adequate pressure to the site. Increasing fluid intake is generally beneficial to prevent dehydration and aid in the recovery process, whereas decreasing fluid intake could lead to dehydration and possible complications. Therefore, the correct instruction is to lie on the right side.

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