Nursing Elites

1. What is the most important nursing action for a patient presenting with confusion after surgery?

• A. Administer oxygen
• B. Reposition the patient
• C. Administer IV fluids
• D. Perform a neurological assessment

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Administering oxygen is crucial for a patient presenting with confusion after surgery because it helps alleviate potential hypoxia, which can be a common cause of confusion in the postoperative period. While repositioning the patient, administering IV fluids, and performing a neurological assessment are important nursing interventions in certain situations, addressing hypoxia by administering oxygen takes priority in this case to ensure an adequate oxygen supply to the brain and other vital organs.

2. What is the appropriate action when a patient refuses treatment for religious reasons?

• A. Respect the patient's decision
• B. Persuade the patient to accept treatment
• C. Inform the healthcare provider
• D. Document the refusal

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to respect the patient's decision. When a patient refuses treatment for religious reasons, it is crucial to respect their autonomy and beliefs. Persuading the patient to accept treatment could violate their rights and autonomy, going against ethical principles. Informing the healthcare provider is important, but the immediate action should be to respect the patient's decision first. Documenting the refusal is necessary for legal and documentation purposes, but it should not override respecting the patient's autonomy and right to refuse treatment based on religious beliefs.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours postoperative following an open cholecystectomy. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Monitor the client's urinary output.
• B. Assist the client to splint the incision with a pillow when coughing.
• C. Provide the client with a clear liquid diet.
• D. Encourage the client to ambulate in the hallway.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Assisting the client to splint the incision with a pillow while coughing is the correct action in this scenario. This intervention helps reduce pain and prevent wound dehiscence, which is the partial or complete separation of the layers of a surgical wound. Monitoring urinary output is important but not the priority at this immediate postoperative stage. Providing a clear liquid diet may be indicated later but is not the most immediate concern. Encouraging ambulation is beneficial for preventing complications like deep vein thrombosis, but splinting the incision is more crucial at this early postoperative period.

4. A nurse in a provider's office is reviewing the laboratory results of a group of clients. The nurse should identify that which of the following sexually transmitted infections is a nationally notifiable infectious disease that should be reported to the state health department?

• A. Chlamydia
• B. Human papillomavirus
• C. Candidiasis
• D. Herpes simplex virus

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Chlamydia is the correct answer. It is a sexually transmitted infection that is nationally notifiable, meaning healthcare providers are required to report cases to the state health department. This is crucial for disease surveillance, monitoring, and implementing public health interventions. Human papillomavirus, Candidiasis, and Herpes simplex virus are not nationally notifiable infectious diseases and do not require mandatory reporting to the state health department.

5. A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

• A. Heart rate 90/min
• B. Serosanguineous drainage in the surgical drain
• C. Temperature 38.6°C (101.5°F)
• D. Urinary output 60 mL/hr

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. A temperature of 38.6°C (101.5°F) is above the normal range and indicates a fever, which is a concerning finding postoperatively. Fever can be a sign of infection, so the nurse should report this finding to the provider for further evaluation and intervention. Choices A, B, and D are within expected parameters for a client who is 24 hours postoperative following abdominal surgery and do not require immediate reporting. A heart rate of 90/min, serosanguineous drainage in the surgical drain, and a urinary output of 60 mL/hr are all common postoperative findings that do not raise immediate concerns.

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