Nursing Elites

1. Which intervention is most effective for managing a patient with constipation?

• A. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
• B. Administer a stool softener as prescribed.
• C. Provide the patient with a high-fiber diet.
• D. Teach the patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective intervention for managing constipation in a patient is to administer a stool softener as prescribed. Stool softeners help relieve constipation by making the stool easier to pass, especially in postoperative patients. Increasing fluid intake can be beneficial but may not address the underlying cause of constipation. While a high-fiber diet is important for bowel health, it may not provide immediate relief for constipation. Teaching a patient to perform Valsalva maneuvers is not recommended for managing constipation as it can lead to adverse effects like increasing intra-abdominal pressure.

2. A client with a new diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus is being taught about self-administration of insulin by a nurse. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?

• A. Store the current bottle of insulin at room temperature
• B. Massage the injection site after removing the needle
• C. Pull back on the plunger after injecting the insulin
• D. Use each syringe up to six times

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is to store the current bottle of insulin at room temperature. Insulin should be stored this way to maintain its potency and effectiveness. Choice B is incorrect because massaging the injection site after removing the needle is not recommended practice and can cause bruising. Choice C is incorrect as pulling back on the plunger after injecting insulin can lead to injecting air bubbles into the tissue. Choice D is incorrect as syringes should not be reused multiple times due to the risk of contamination and inaccurate dosing.

3. A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

• A. Aspirate for a blood return before depressing the plunger
• B. Insert the needle at a 45-degree angle
• C. Administer the medication 2.54 cm (1 in) from the umbilicus
• D. The nurse should not expel the air bubble in the prefilled syringe

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct action when administering enoxaparin is not to expel the air bubble in the prefilled syringe. Expelling the air bubble may lead to the loss of medication and result in an incomplete dose. Aspirating for a blood return (Choice A) is not necessary for subcutaneous injections like enoxaparin. Inserting the needle at a 45-degree angle (Choice B) is not specific to administering enoxaparin. Administering the medication 2.54 cm (1 in) from the umbilicus (Choice C) is not a standard guideline for enoxaparin administration.

4. A healthcare provider is providing a report to a colleague about a client who weighs 210 lb and has a prescription for one-third weight bearing on the right leg. How many kg of weight should the client bear on the right leg?

• A. 32 kg
• B. 35 kg
• C. 40 kg
• D. 45 kg

Correct answer: A

Rationale: To calculate the weight-bearing limit, we first need to convert 210 lbs to kg. To do this, we use the conversion factor 1 lb = 0.453592 kg. So, 210 lbs is equal to 210 * 0.453592 = 95.254 kg. One-third of 95.254 kg is 31.7513 kg, which can be rounded to 32 kg. Therefore, the client should bear 32 kg of weight on the right leg. Choice A is the correct answer. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as they do not reflect the accurate calculation based on the client's weight and the prescribed weight-bearing limit.

5. What are the signs of infection that should be monitored in a postoperative patient?

• A. Fever and chills
• B. All of the above
• C. Increased pain or tenderness
• D. Redness, swelling, and warmth at the surgical site

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 'Redness, swelling, and warmth at the surgical site.' These are specific signs of infection at the surgical site that a nurse should monitor for in a postoperative patient. While fever, chills, and increased pain can also indicate infection, the most direct signs are redness, swelling, and warmth at the surgical site. Therefore, 'D' is the best choice as it directly relates to the site of the surgery and is crucial to monitor for potential postoperative infections.

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