Nursing Elites

1. What is the primary goal of palliative care?

• A. To cure the client's illness.
• B. To prolong the client's life.
• C. To provide comfort and improve the quality of life.
• D. To prepare the client for surgery.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The primary goal of palliative care is to provide comfort and improve the quality of life for clients with serious illnesses. Palliative care aims to address physical, emotional, and spiritual needs to enhance overall well-being rather than focusing on curing the underlying illness, prolonging life, or preparing for surgery. It emphasizes symptom management, pain relief, and support for patients and their families to ensure a better quality of life during the course of their illness.

2. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer medications to a client who has an NG tube for continuous feedings. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take?

• A. Add crushed medications to the enteral feeding.
• B. Infuse each medication by gravity.
• C. Administer the medications through a syringe.
• D. Flush the NG tube with 5 mL of sterile water.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Administering medications through a syringe is the correct action to take when a client has an NG tube for continuous feedings. This method ensures that each medication is delivered correctly and is not mixed with the enteral feeding, preventing drug interactions and ensuring proper administration of each medication. Adding crushed medications to the enteral feeding (Choice A) can lead to inaccurate dosing and potential drug interactions. Infusing each medication by gravity (Choice B) is not recommended as it may not ensure accurate delivery of the medication. Flushing the NG tube with sterile water (Choice D) is important but is not directly related to administering medications through the tube.

3. When teaching a client about the proper use of a cane, which of the following instructions should be included?

• A. Hold the cane on the weaker side.
• B. Move the cane forward first.
• C. Keep the cane 12 inches away from the body.
• D. Use the cane for support only when climbing stairs.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: When using a cane, it is crucial to move the cane forward first to provide support and enhance balance. Advancing the cane before the weaker or stronger leg helps widen the base of support, thereby improving stability during ambulation. Keeping the cane too far or too close to the body can affect its supportive function. Moreover, utilizing the cane solely for stair climbing limits its overall utility in maintaining balance and stability during regular walking.

4. In an emergency department, a provider is assessing a client with an acute head injury following a motor-vehicle crash. Which of the following findings should be prioritized?

• A. A Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13
• B. Clear fluid leaking from the nose
• C. Nausea and vomiting
• D. Anisocoria

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The priority finding is the clear fluid leaking from the nose, which could indicate a cerebrospinal fluid leak and potential brain injury. This requires immediate attention to assess for possible cerebrospinal fluid leak, which is a serious complication of head trauma and needs prompt intervention to prevent further complications. While a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13 may indicate a mild alteration in consciousness, it is not as urgent as assessing for a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms after head injuries but do not take precedence over assessing for a potential cerebrospinal fluid leak. Anisocoria (unequal pupils) is also important to note but is not as urgent as identifying a possible cerebrospinal fluid leak in this scenario.

5. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a prescription for digoxin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Take your pulse before taking the medication.
• B. Take the medication with an antacid.
• C. Double the dose if you miss one.
• D. Take the medication with a high-fiber meal.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Take your pulse before taking the medication.' When administering digoxin, it is crucial to monitor the pulse rate because digoxin can cause bradycardia (slow heart rate). Checking the pulse helps in assessing the heart rate before taking the medication, as bradycardia is a common side effect of digoxin. Choice B is incorrect because digoxin should not be taken with antacids, as they can reduce its absorption. Choice C is incorrect; the dose should never be doubled if a dose is missed. Choice D is incorrect because taking digoxin with a high-fiber meal can also affect its absorption. Therefore, the essential instruction for the client is to monitor the pulse before taking digoxin.

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