what is the priority nursing action for a patient with confusion post surgery
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

ATI RN Comprehensive Exit Exam

1. What is the priority nursing action for a patient with confusion post-surgery?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to administer oxygen. Post-surgery, confusion in a patient could be due to hypoxia, a condition where the body is deprived of an adequate oxygen supply. Administering oxygen helps address hypoxia promptly, improving oxygen levels in the body and potentially resolving the confusion. Repositioning the patient, checking oxygen saturation, and performing a neurological exam may be important interventions but addressing hypoxia with oxygen administration takes precedence as the priority action.

2. Which electrolyte imbalance is most concerning for a patient on furosemide?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is hypokalemia. Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can lead to potassium loss through increased urinary excretion, making hypokalemia the most concerning electrolyte imbalance. Hyponatremia (Choice B) is not typically associated with furosemide use. Hyperkalemia (Choice C) is less likely due to furosemide's potassium-wasting effect. Hypercalcemia (Choice D) is not a common electrolyte imbalance seen with furosemide.

3. A healthcare professional is preparing to administer an intermittent enteral feeding to a client who has an NG tube. Which of the following actions should the healthcare professional take first?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 45 degrees is the priority action before administering an enteral feeding through an NG tube. This position helps prevent aspiration by promoting proper flow and digestion of the feeding. Checking the residual volume, flushing the tube, and warming the formula are important steps but come after ensuring the client is in the correct position to minimize the risk of complications.

4. A nurse is caring for a client with Alzheimer's disease who wanders frequently. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is to ensure that the client wears an identification bracelet at all times. This intervention helps staff recognize clients who wander and ensures their safety. Placing the client in a well-lit area (Choice A) may be helpful in some cases but does not directly address the issue of wandering. Keeping the client's bed in the lowest position (Choice C) is important for fall prevention but is not directly related to wandering behavior. Using physical restraints (Choice D) is not recommended as the first-line intervention for wandering and should be avoided due to ethical concerns and potential risks.

5. A nurse is preparing to measure the temperature of an infant. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct method for measuring an infant's temperature is by placing the tip of the thermometer under the center of the infant's axilla (armpit). This method is non-invasive and safe. Pulling the pinna of the ear forward is used when taking a tympanic temperature. Inserting the probe into the rectum is done for rectal temperature measurement, which is not recommended as an initial method in infants. Inserting the thermometer in front of the infant's tongue is not a standard method for measuring temperature in infants.

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