Nursing Elites

1. When planning care for a client with ulcerative colitis who is experiencing symptoms, which client care activities can the nurse appropriately delegate to a unlicensed assistant?

• A. Assessing the client's bowel sounds
• B. administration of pain medication every 4 hours
• C. Evaluating the client's response to antidiarrheal medications
• D. Maintaining intake and output records

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Delegating tasks such as providing skin care, maintaining intake and output records, and obtaining the client's weight are within the scope of practice for an unlicensed assistant. Assessing bowel sounds and evaluating the response to medications require nursing judgment and should not be delegated.

2. You’re caring for a patient with a sigmoid colostomy. The stool from this colostomy is:

• A. Formed
• B. Semisolid
• C. Semiliquid
• D. Watery

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The stool from a sigmoid colostomy is typically formed.

3. A nurse is performing an assessment on a client with a suspected diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. The nurse assesses the client, knowing that which of the following is a hallmark sign of this disorder?

• A. Severe abdominal pain relieved by vomiting
• B. Severe abdominal pain that is unrelieved by vomiting
• C. Hypothermia
• D. Epigastric pain radiating to the neck area

Correct answer: B

Rationale: A hallmark sign of acute pancreatitis is severe abdominal pain that is not relieved by vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are common presenting symptoms, with vomitus typically consisting of gastric and duodenal contents. Hypothermia is not a hallmark sign of acute pancreatitis. Fever, typically less than 38 degrees centigrade, is more common. Epigastric pain radiating to the neck area is not a characteristic sign of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer.

4. Before administering an intermittent tube feeding through a nasogastric tube, the nurse assesses for gastric residual. The nurse understands that this procedure is important to

• A. Confirm proper nasogastric tube placement.
• B. Observe gastric contents.
• C. Assess fluid and electrolyte status.
• D. Evaluate absorption of the last feeding.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Evaluating the absorption of the last feeding is important because administration of a tube feeding to a full stomach could result in overdistention, thus predisposing the client to regurgitation and possible aspiration.

5. Which goal of the client’s care should take priority during the first days of hospitalization for an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis?

• A. Promoting self-care and independence
• B. Managing diarrhea
• C. Maintaining adequate nutrition
• D. Promoting rest and comfort

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Managing diarrhea should take priority during the first days of hospitalization for an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis.

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