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. Which intervention reduces reservoirs of infection in a healthcare setting?

• A. Placing capped needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers
• B. Keeping bedside table surfaces clean and dry
• C. Changing dressings that become wet or soiled
• D. Placing tissues and soiled dressings in paper bags

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Placing capped needles and syringes in puncture-resistant containers is the correct intervention to reduce infection reservoirs in healthcare settings. This practice helps prevent accidental needle-stick injuries and contains potentially infectious materials properly. Keeping bedside table surfaces clean and dry (choice B) is essential for preventing the spread of infections but does not directly address reducing reservoirs of infection. Changing dressings that become wet or soiled (choice C) is important for wound care but does not specifically target infection reservoirs. Placing tissues and soiled dressings in paper bags (choice D) is a proper waste disposal practice but does not directly reduce reservoirs of infection in a healthcare setting.

3. A nurse is caring for a client who is postoperative and has compression stockings. Which action should the nurse take?

• A. Check the stockings for wrinkles
• B. Apply the stockings while the client is sitting in a chair
• C. Measure the size of the client's foot
• D. Remove the stockings once each day

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to check the stockings for wrinkles. This is important to ensure that the stockings are applied correctly without any folds or wrinkles, which can hinder proper circulation and compression. Option B is incorrect because compression stockings should be applied with the client lying down, not sitting in a chair. Option C is unnecessary as the size of the client's foot is unlikely to change postoperatively. Option D is incorrect as compression stockings are usually worn continuously except for specific care needs.

4. Which action by the nurse will help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in a patient on mechanical ventilation?

• A. Provide oral care every 4 hours.
• B. Reposition the patient every 2 hours.
• C. Suction the patient as needed.
• D. Administer antibiotics as prescribed.

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A. Providing oral care every 4 hours helps prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia by reducing the buildup of bacteria in the mouth that can be aspirated into the lungs. Repositioning the patient every 2 hours is important for preventing pressure ulcers but is not directly related to preventing VAP. Suctioning the patient as needed is essential for maintaining airway patency but does not specifically prevent VAP. Administering antibiotics as prescribed is a treatment for infections but does not prevent VAP.

5. A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter and a prescription for a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

• A. Wipe the area around the needleless port with sterile water
• B. Insert the syringe into the needleless port at a 60-degree angle
• C. Withdraw 3 to 5 ml of urine from the port
• D. Don sterile gloves

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take is to withdraw 3 to 5 ml of urine from the port for an accurate culture and sensitivity test. Wiping the area around the needleless port with sterile water (Choice A) is not necessary when obtaining a urine specimen. Inserting the syringe into the needleless port at a 60-degree angle (Choice B) is incorrect as it does not align with the correct procedure for obtaining a urine specimen. Donning sterile gloves (Choice D) is a good practice but not the immediate action required for obtaining a urine specimen.

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