Nursing Elites

1. Which of the following is a common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

• A. Smoking
• B. Asthma
• C. Allergies
• D. Chronic bronchitis

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Smoking is the correct answer as it is a well-established common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking leads to long-term damage to the lungs, contributing to the development of COPD. Choice B, asthma, is not a cause but a separate respiratory condition characterized by airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. Allergies, choice C, are not a direct cause of COPD but can exacerbate symptoms in individuals with existing COPD. Chronic bronchitis, choice D, is a type of COPD, not a cause of COPD itself, making it an incorrect choice in this context.

2. To reduce the risk of pulmonary complications for a client with ALS, which intervention should the nurse implement?

• A. Perform chest physiotherapy
• B. Teach the client breathing exercises
• C. Initiate passive range of motion exercises
• D. Establish a regular bladder routine

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Performing chest physiotherapy is the most appropriate intervention to reduce the risk of pulmonary complications in clients with ALS. Chest physiotherapy helps mobilize and clear respiratory secretions, improving lung function and reducing the risk of complications such as pneumonia. Teaching breathing exercises (Choice B) may be beneficial for some clients, but chest physiotherapy is more specifically targeted at managing pulmonary issues in ALS. Initiating passive range of motion exercises (Choice C) and establishing a regular bladder routine (Choice D) are important interventions in ALS care but are not directly related to reducing the risk of pulmonary complications.

3. A nurse assesses a client who is recovering from a nephrostomy. Which assessment findings should alert the nurse to urgently contact the healthcare provider? (Select all that apply.)

• A. Foul-smelling drainage
• B. Bloody drainage at site
• C. A & B
• D. All of the above

Correct answer: C

Rationale: After a nephrostomy, the nurse should assess the client for complications and urgently notify the provider if there is foul-smelling drainage, bloody drainage at the site, or both. Foul-smelling drainage can indicate infection, while bloody drainage may suggest bleeding. Clear drainage is generally normal after a nephrostomy. A headache would not typically be directly related to nephrostomy complications. Therefore, options A and B are correct choices for urgent notification, making option C the correct answer.

4. A client has lost a significant amount of blood due to complications during surgery. What parameter does the nurse recognize as the earliest indication of new decreases in fluid volume?

• A. Pulse rate
• B. Blood pressure
• C. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure
• D. Pulmonary artery end-diastolic pressure

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The earliest indication of new decreases in fluid volume is often recognized by an increase in pulse rate. Cardiac output is influenced by circulating blood volume, heart pumping action, and vascular tone. As fluid volume decreases, the body compensates by increasing the pulse rate. The formula for cardiac output is pulse rate multiplied by stroke volume. An elevated pulse rate helps maintain blood pressure with minor volume depletion. Pulmonary artery systolic pressure and pulmonary artery end-diastolic pressure, obtained through a pulmonary artery catheter, provide insights into pulmonary artery and left ventricle pressures at the end of diastole. These parameters are not the earliest indicators of new decreases in fluid volume compared to pulse rate.

5. The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL) 50 mg to a patient who has a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg. The nurse notes that the patient had a urine output of 200 mL in the past 12 hours. The nurse will perform which action?

• A. Administer the medication as ordered.
• B. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
• C. Hold the medication and request an order for serum BUN and creatinine.
• D. Request an order for serum electrolytes and administer the medication.

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct action is to hold the medication and request an order for serum BUN and creatinine. Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, are contraindicated in renal failure. In this case, the patient has oliguria, which is a reduced urine output, indicating potential renal insufficiency. Before administering the diuretic, it is crucial to evaluate the patient's renal function through serum BUN and creatinine levels. Encouraging the patient to drink more fluids (Choice B) may not address the underlying issue of renal function. Administering the medication as ordered (Choice A) without assessing renal function can be harmful. Requesting serum electrolytes and administering the medication (Choice D) overlooks the need for a specific evaluation of renal function in this scenario.

Similar Questions