Nursing Elites

1. What is the priority when managing a client with a chest tube postoperatively?

• A. Clamp the chest tube for 30 minutes every 4 hours
• B. Check for air leaks and proper functioning of the chest tube
• C. Encourage deep breathing and coughing every 2 hours
• D. Encourage frequent coughing to clear secretions

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority when managing a client with a chest tube postoperatively is to check for air leaks and ensure the proper functioning of the chest tube. This is crucial to prevent complications such as pneumothorax or hemothorax. Clamping the chest tube intermittently can lead to a buildup of pressure in the pleural space and should not be done without a specific medical indication. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing helps with lung expansion but is not the priority over ensuring the chest tube's proper function. Encouraging frequent coughing may increase the risk of dislodging the chest tube or causing complications.

2. A nurse is providing teaching to an older adult client about methods to promote nighttime sleep. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Eat a light snack before bedtime.
• B. Stay in bed at least 1 hr if unable to fall asleep.
• C. Take a 1 hr nap during the day.
• D. Perform exercises prior to bedtime.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to instruct the older adult client to eat a light snack before bedtime. This is beneficial as it helps prevent hunger, which can disrupt sleep. Choice B is incorrect as staying in bed for a prolonged time if unable to fall asleep can lead to frustration and worsen insomnia. Choice C is incorrect as taking a 1-hour nap during the day can interfere with the ability to fall asleep at night. Choice D is incorrect as performing exercises prior to bedtime can increase alertness and make it harder to fall asleep.

3. A nurse is reinforcing teaching about wound care for a client who has a wound requiring irrigation. What is an important instruction?

• A. Wear sterile gloves when applying a new dressing
• B. Cleanse the wound from the center outwards
• C. Keep the wound dry between dressing changes
• D. Apply an antimicrobial ointment to the wound

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to cleanse the wound from the center outwards. This technique helps reduce the risk of contamination by pushing debris away from the wound. Option A, wearing sterile gloves, is important for infection control but not specifically related to wound irrigation. Option C, keeping the wound dry, is not suitable for wound irrigation, which often involves using solutions to clean the wound. Option D, applying an antimicrobial ointment, is not typically done during wound irrigation as the focus is on cleansing the wound.

4. A healthcare professional is reviewing the medical record of a client who is receiving furosemide. Which of the following laboratory values should the healthcare professional monitor while the client is taking this medication?

• A. Sodium
• B. Glucose
• C. Potassium
• D. Calcium

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Potassium. Furosemide is a diuretic that can cause potassium depletion due to increased urinary excretion. Monitoring potassium levels is crucial to prevent hypokalemia, which can lead to serious complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Sodium (choice A) levels are not typically affected by furosemide. Glucose (choice B) monitoring is important with other medications like corticosteroids but is not directly related to furosemide use. Calcium (choice D) levels are not significantly impacted by furosemide.

5. A nurse is collecting data from a client who has multiple fractures following a motor-vehicle crash. For which of the following client statements should the nurse recommend a referral to an occupational therapist?

• A. I am frustrated that I cannot lift my arm to comb my hair.
• B. I am upset that I can't hold a pencil anymore.
• C. I am embarrassed that I cannot open my milk carton.
• D. I am so frustrated that I cannot even open my milk carton for breakfast.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because the inability to perform activities of daily living, such as opening a milk carton, suggests difficulties with fine motor skills. Occupational therapists specialize in helping individuals regain independence in such tasks. Choices A, B, and C do not specifically address fine motor skills related to activities of daily living, therefore not warranting an occupational therapy referral. Choice A mentions lifting the arm, which involves gross motor skills rather than fine motor skills. Choice B involves holding a pencil, which is more related to hand dexterity and strength rather than fine motor skills. Choice C, opening a milk carton, could be related to fine motor skills but is not as clear-cut as the inability described in Choice D, where the frustration is explicitly about the inability to perform a daily living task.

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