Nursing Elites

1. When performing postural drainage on a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which approach should the nurse use?

• A. Obtain arterial blood gases (ABGs) before the procedure.
• B. Explain that the client may be positioned in five different ways.
• C. Assist the patient into a position that will allow gravity to move secretions.
• D. Encourage the client to practice deep breathing throughout the procedure.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct approach when performing postural drainage on a client with COPD is to assist the patient into a position that allows gravity to help move secretions. This position helps drain secretions from specific segments of the lungs. Obtaining arterial blood gases (Choice A) is not directly related to postural drainage. While the client may be placed in multiple positions during postural drainage, the key is to position them to facilitate the movement of secretions, not just any five positions as mentioned in Choice B. Encouraging deep breathing (Choice D) is a good nursing intervention for overall respiratory health but is not specifically related to the technique of postural drainage.

2. The nurse is teaching a client about coronary artery disease (CAD) preventive health. Which behavior stated by the client indicates a need for additional information and teaching?

• A. Increasing physical activity.
• B. Eating a low-fat diet.
• C. Decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked per day.
• D. Monitoring blood pressure regularly.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked per day is not sufficient for CAD prevention. Smoking cessation is crucial in reducing the risk of CAD. While increasing physical activity, eating a low-fat diet, and monitoring blood pressure regularly are all positive behaviors for CAD prevention, quitting smoking should be emphasized due to its significant impact on cardiovascular health.

3. The nurse is assessing a client who has herpes zoster. Which question will allow the nurse to gather further information about this condition?

• A. Has everyone at home already had varicella?
• B. Have the antifungal creams been effective?
• C. Do your family members share combs and brushes?
• D. Do you have any dry patches on your feet and hands?

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: 'Has everyone at home already had varicella?' Herpes zoster (shingles) is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. By knowing if others at home had varicella (chickenpox), the nurse can assess the risk of transmission and provide appropriate guidance. Choice B is incorrect because antifungal creams are not effective for herpes zoster, which is a viral infection. Choice C is irrelevant to herpes zoster as it pertains to sharing personal items that may transmit head lice or certain skin infections. Choice D is also unrelated as it focuses on dry patches, not typical manifestations of herpes zoster which presents as a painful rash.

4. The mother of a child who has been diagnosed with varicella asks the nurse when the child can return to school. When is the child no longer contagious?

• A. When the fever dissipates
• B. After the incubation period
• C. When the lesions have healed
• D. When the lesions are crusted over

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'When the lesions are crusted over.' Varicella is no longer contagious once the lesions are dry and crusted. This stage indicates that the active viral shedding has significantly decreased, reducing the risk of transmission. Choice A, 'When the fever dissipates,' is incorrect because the presence of fever does not necessarily correlate with the contagiousness of varicella. Choice B, 'After the incubation period,' is incorrect as the incubation period occurs before the onset of symptoms and is not relevant to determining contagiousness. Choice C, 'When the lesions have healed,' is incorrect as healed lesions can still be contagious if they are not crusted over.

5. An older female client has normal saline infusing at 45 ml/hour. She complains of pain at the insertion of the IV catheter. There is no redness or edema around the IV site. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Determine what IV medications have recently been administered.
• B. Slow the infusion rate.
• C. Apply a warm compress to the IV site.
• D. Discontinue the IV line and start a new one.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take in this scenario is to determine what IV medications have recently been administered. This is important to identify if the pain at the IV site is related to a medication infusion. Slowing the infusion rate (choice B) may not address the underlying cause of the pain. Applying a warm compress (choice C) is not necessary since there is no redness or edema around the IV site. Discontinuing the IV line and starting a new one (choice D) is a drastic step and should not be the first action taken without investigating the cause of the pain.

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