Nursing Elites

1. What is the nurse's role in preoperative patient care?

• A. Provide patient education and ensure NPO status
• B. Ensure that informed consent is obtained
• C. Obtain the patient's health history
• D. Confirm the patient's surgical site

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The nurse plays a crucial role in preoperative patient care by providing education and ensuring NPO (nothing by mouth) status. This helps prepare the patient for surgery by ensuring they understand the procedure, what to expect, and also by following necessary preoperative fasting guidelines. While obtaining the patient's health history (choice C) is important for overall patient assessment, it is typically done during the preoperative assessment but does not specifically pertain to the nurse's role. Ensuring informed consent (choice B) is primarily the responsibility of the healthcare provider performing the procedure. Confirming the patient's surgical site (choice D) is usually the responsibility of the surgical team and is done immediately before the surgery to prevent errors.

2. A nurse is collecting data from a male client who is scheduled for a left inguinal herniorrhaphy. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to report to the provider?

• A. High blood pressure
• B. Decreased bowel sounds
• C. Constipation
• D. Difficulty urinating

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Difficulty urinating.' This finding is crucial to report promptly as it can indicate a complication, such as urinary retention or injury to the urinary tract, which are significant concerns post-hernia surgery. High blood pressure (Choice A) may require monitoring but is not as urgent as difficulty urinating. Decreased bowel sounds (Choice B) and constipation (Choice C) are common after surgery and may resolve with appropriate interventions but are not as critical as addressing difficulty urinating.

3. What is the correct way to assess for pitting edema?

• A. Press over the bony area for 5 seconds and release
• B. Press over the skin for 10 seconds and check for discoloration
• C. Press the area and check for the presence of rash
• D. Press the skin and assess for rebound tenderness

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct way to assess for pitting edema is to press over a bony area, typically the tibia, for 5 seconds and then release. This allows for the identification of pitting edema, characterized by an indentation that persists for a few seconds. Choice B is incorrect as pitting edema assessment does not involve checking for discoloration. Choice C is incorrect as the presence of a rash is not indicative of pitting edema. Choice D is incorrect as rebound tenderness is a different assessment used for abdominal conditions, not for pitting edema.

4. A nurse assisting with a childbirth class is discussing nonpharmacological strategies used during labor. Which of the following statements by a client indicates an understanding of cutaneous stimulation?

• A. Apply counter-pressure for back pain
• B. Use deep breathing exercises
• C. Visualize the baby's head
• D. Use massage therapy

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Apply counter-pressure for back pain.' Counter-pressure involves applying pressure to the lower back to alleviate pain during labor. This technique is a form of cutaneous stimulation, which can help with pain relief. Choice B, deep breathing exercises, is a form of relaxation technique and does not directly involve cutaneous stimulation. Choice C, visualizing the baby's head, is a mental imagery technique and does not involve physical stimulation of the skin. Choice D, massage therapy, is a tactile stimulation technique but is not specifically focused on back pain relief through counter-pressure.

5. How can pain in a post-operative patient be managed effectively?

• A. Administer analgesics as prescribed
• B. Encourage deep breathing exercises
• C. Provide distractions
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Managing pain in a post-operative patient requires a multimodal approach, which includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies. Administering analgesics as prescribed helps in controlling pain pharmacologically. Encouraging deep breathing exercises can aid in pain management by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety. Providing distractions, such as music or activities, can help divert the patient's attention from pain. Therefore, all the given options are essential components of an effective pain management plan for post-operative patients.

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