which nursing action is most important when caring for a patient with a colostomy
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Nursing Elites

ATI RN

RN ATI Capstone Proctored Comprehensive Assessment 2019 A with NGN

1. When caring for a patient with a colostomy, which nursing action is most important?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Emptying the colostomy bag when it is half full is the most important nursing action when caring for a patient with a colostomy. This practice helps prevent leakage, reduces the risk of skin irritation, and promotes patient comfort. Monitoring for signs of infection (Choice A) is essential but not as crucial as maintaining proper colostomy care. Encouraging the patient to eat smaller, more frequent meals (Choice C) can be beneficial for colostomy patients but is not as critical as ensuring timely emptying of the colostomy bag. Applying a skin barrier to prevent irritation (Choice D) is important, but ensuring timely emptying of the colostomy bag takes precedence in preventing complications associated with a colostomy.

2. A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative. Which of the following findings should the nurse prioritize?

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In a postoperative client, decreased urine output is a crucial finding as it can indicate impaired kidney function or inadequate fluid balance. Prioritizing assessment and intervention for decreased urine output is essential to prevent complications like acute kidney injury. Elevated temperature, low blood pressure, and increased heart rate are also important, but they may not be as urgent or directly related to kidney function in a postoperative client.

3. An occupational health nurse in a factory is planning interventions to reduce environmental stressors for employees. Which of the following interventions should the nurse use to affect physical agents in the environment?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Limiting exposure to extreme temperatures is important to protect workers from heat-related illnesses.

4. The nurse notes that a healthcare provider has prescribed a higher than normal dose of medication. What action should the nurse take?

Correct answer: D

Rationale: When a healthcare provider prescribes a dose that is higher than normal, it is crucial for the nurse to contact the provider to clarify the prescription. Administering the prescribed dose without clarification can lead to potential harm to the patient due to the elevated dosage. Asking another nurse to verify the dose may not provide the necessary clarification from the prescriber. Administering only half of the prescribed dose without consulting the healthcare provider is not the appropriate action, as the full rationale behind the higher dose needs to be understood before any administration.

5. A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from surgery. What is the nurse's priority action?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the patient's vital signs. Assessing vital signs is crucial as it helps to detect any early signs of complications such as bleeding, shock, or changes in oxygenation. Monitoring the patient's pain level (Choice A) is important but assessing vital signs takes precedence. While assessing the surgical incision site (Choice C) is essential, ensuring the patient's physiological stability through vital sign assessment is the priority. Positioning the patient in a high Fowler's position (Choice D) may be necessary for comfort but does not address the immediate need to assess the patient's condition post-surgery.

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