Nursing Elites

1. What is the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional to take when a medication error occurs?

• A. Document the error in the patient's medical record.
• B. Report the error to the healthcare provider immediately.
• C. Apologize to the patient and explain what happened.
• D. Continue administering the medication and monitor the patient closely.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When a medication error occurs, the most appropriate action for a healthcare professional is to report the error to the healthcare provider immediately. This is crucial for ensuring prompt corrective action to mitigate any potential harm to the patient. Documenting the error is important but should come after reporting it to the relevant authorities. Apologizing to the patient is important for maintaining trust and communication but should not take precedence over reporting and addressing the error. Continuing to administer the medication without addressing the error is unsafe and goes against patient safety protocols.

2. What are the clinical manifestations of left-sided heart failure, and how do they differ from right-sided heart failure?

• A. Jugular venous distention and hepatojugular reflex
• B. Hepatomegaly, ascites, and peripheral edema
• C. Dyspnea, cough, and orthopnea
• D. Pulmonary congestion and fatigue

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Clinical manifestations of left-sided heart failure include pulmonary symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and orthopnea. However, left-sided heart failure can also manifest as jugular venous distention and hepatojugular reflex due to the backflow of blood into the pulmonary circulation. Right-sided heart failure is characterized by systemic symptoms like hepatomegaly, ascites, and peripheral edema. Choice B is incorrect as it presents manifestations of right-sided heart failure. Choice C includes symptoms of left-sided heart failure. Choice D describes pulmonary congestion, which is more specific to left-sided heart failure, but it does not encompass the full range of clinical manifestations for left-sided heart failure.

3. A nurse is assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Which finding is most concerning?

• A. Mild redness at the incision site.
• B. Increased drainage from the surgical site.
• C. Fever of 101°F.
• D. Normal white blood cell count.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: A fever of 101°F is the most concerning finding when assessing a postoperative patient for signs of infection. Fever can indicate an inflammatory response to an infection, and in a postoperative patient, it can signal a surgical site infection or a systemic infection. Prompt attention is necessary to prevent complications such as sepsis. Mild redness at the incision site and increased drainage can be expected in the early postoperative period due to the normal healing process. A normal white blood cell count does not rule out infection as it can be influenced by various factors, and some infections may not initially cause a rise in white blood cells.

4. What are the key considerations when administering medication via a nasogastric (NG) tube?

• A. Checking tube placement before administration
• B. Administering medication in liquid form whenever possible
• C. Crushing tablets and mixing them with water if needed
• D. Flushing the NG tube with water before and after medication

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Checking tube placement before administration. This is a crucial step to ensure that the medication reaches the stomach safely and does not end up in the lungs, which can lead to serious complications. Choice B is incorrect as not all medications can be administered in liquid form. Choice C is incorrect because crushing tablets can alter their effectiveness or cause harm. Choice D is incorrect as flushing the NG tube with water is not a standard practice before administering medication, unless specified by healthcare provider instructions.

5. A patient prescribed warfarin is being taught about dietary restrictions by a healthcare provider. Which of the following foods should the patient be instructed to limit?

• A. Bananas
• B. Spinach
• C. Potatoes
• D. Apples

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Spinach. Spinach is high in vitamin K, which can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin, an anticoagulant medication. Patients taking warfarin should limit foods high in vitamin K to maintain the medication's effectiveness and consistent dosage. Bananas, potatoes, and apples are not high in vitamin K and do not typically interfere with warfarin therapy.

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