Nursing Elites

1. Which intervention is most effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a postoperative patient?

• A. Encourage the patient to drink plenty of fluids.
• B. Encourage early ambulation and leg exercises.
• C. Administer anticoagulants as prescribed.
• D. Apply compression stockings to the patient's legs.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The most effective intervention in preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in a postoperative patient is to encourage early ambulation and leg exercises. Early ambulation helps promote circulation, preventing stasis and reducing the risk of blood clot formation. Encouraging the patient to drink plenty of fluids (choice A) is important for overall health but is not the most effective intervention for preventing DVT. Administering anticoagulants (choice C) is a valuable intervention in some cases, but it may not be suitable for all postoperative patients. Applying compression stockings (choice D) can help prevent DVT but is generally not as effective as early ambulation and leg exercises in postoperative patients.

2. A nurse notices that a colleague has an odor of alcohol while on duty. What is the most appropriate action?

• A. Speak to the colleague in private.
• B. Report the behavior to the nurse manager immediately.
• C. Confront the colleague directly on the floor.
• D. Do nothing and document the situation.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Reporting the behavior to the nurse manager immediately is the most appropriate action when a nurse suspects a colleague of being impaired while on duty. This is crucial to ensure patient safety and maintain a professional and safe work environment. Speaking to the colleague in private may not address the issue effectively and could potentially put patients at risk if the colleague is indeed impaired. Confronting the colleague directly on the floor may lead to a confrontation and is not the most professional way to handle the situation. Doing nothing and documenting the situation without taking immediate action can jeopardize patient safety and is not an appropriate response when substance use is suspected.

3. A client reports pain and swelling at the IV site. What should the nurse do first?

• A. Flush the IV line and continue the infusion.
• B. Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider.
• C. Increase the IV infusion rate to reduce discomfort.
• D. Apply a warm compress to the IV site and continue monitoring.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider. Pain and swelling at an IV site can indicate infiltration or infection, which are serious complications. Stopping the infusion helps prevent further harm to the client, and notifying the healthcare provider promptly allows for appropriate assessment and intervention. Choice A is incorrect because flushing the IV line and continuing the infusion could exacerbate the issue. Choice C is incorrect as increasing the IV infusion rate is not the appropriate action for pain and swelling at the site. Choice D is incorrect because applying a warm compress may not address the underlying issue of infiltration or infection; it's crucial to stop the infusion and seek further guidance.

4. When caring for a patient with a nasogastric (NG) tube, what is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration?

• A. Flush the NG tube with water before each feeding.
• B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
• C. Elevate the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees.
• D. Provide the patient with oral care every 4 hours.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Elevating the head of the bed to 30-45 degrees is the most appropriate intervention to prevent aspiration in a patient with an NG tube. This position helps reduce the risk of regurgitation and aspiration by promoting the proper flow of contents through the gastrointestinal tract and minimizing the chances of stomach contents entering the airway. Flushing the NG tube with water before each feeding may not directly prevent aspiration. Checking the placement of the NG tube is important but does not specifically address the prevention of aspiration. Providing oral care every 4 hours is essential for maintaining oral hygiene but is not directly related to preventing aspiration in a patient with an NG tube.

5. A nurse provides instructions to a client about preventing injury while using crutches. What should the nurse tell the client to avoid?

• A. An abnormal stance
• B. Injury to the nerves
• C. A fall and further injury
• D. Skin breakdown

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Injury to the nerves. Resting the underside of the arm on the crutch pad can injure the nerves. Choice A, an abnormal stance, is not directly related to nerve injury while using crutches. Choice C, a fall and further injury, is a general risk associated with improper crutch use but does not specifically address nerve injury. Choice D, skin breakdown, is a concern related to pressure ulcers but not the primary focus when discussing injury prevention related to crutch use.

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