Nursing Elites

1. You have a patient who has just had a diagnostic arthroscopy. You are instructing him about what to do when he gets home. Which of the following would you NOT instruct him to do?

• A. Resume normal activities within 12 hours so as to help reduce the swelling
• B. Elevate the extremity for 24 – 48 hours
• C. Apply ice to the area involved intermittently
• D. Report severe pain to the physician immediately

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Patients should rest and avoid normal activities for a short period after arthroscopy to allow healing and prevent swelling, which could worsen with early activity. Elevation and icing are recommended post-procedure to reduce swelling and pain. Instructing the patient to resume normal activities within 12 hours could lead to increased swelling and delayed healing. Reporting severe pain is crucial as it could indicate a complication. Therefore, the correct instruction is not to resume normal activities immediately after arthroscopy.

2. What is the primary reason for applying sequential compression devices (SCDs) to a patient’s legs postoperatively?

• A. To prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• B. To promote wound healing
• C. To reduce postoperative pain
• D. To maintain body temperature

Correct answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: To prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Sequential compression devices (SCDs) are used postoperatively to prevent DVT by promoting blood circulation in the legs. This helps reduce the risk of blood clots forming in the deep veins of the legs. Choice B, to promote wound healing, is incorrect as SCDs are primarily used for circulatory purposes rather than wound healing. Choice C, to reduce postoperative pain, is incorrect as the primary purpose of SCDs is not pain management but rather prevention of DVT. Choice D, to maintain body temperature, is incorrect as SCDs are not designed for regulating body temperature but for preventing circulatory issues.

3. When teaching a patient with diabetes about foot care, which of the following should the nurse emphasize?

• A. Avoid soaking feet daily to prevent dryness and skin breakdown
• B. Select well-fitting shoes to prevent injury
• C. Trim toenails straight across and file the edges
• D. Avoid using heating pads to prevent burns

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C. Trimming toenails straight across and filing the edges is crucial in diabetic foot care to prevent ingrown toenails and foot injuries. Soaking feet daily can lead to dryness and skin breakdown, increasing the risk of infection. Selecting well-fitting shoes is important to prevent pressure points and skin damage, not tight-fitting shoes. Using heating pads can result in burns or injuries due to decreased sensation in diabetic feet, so it's essential to avoid them.

4. Before administering a scheduled dose of insulin to a 10-year-old child who is learning diabetic self-care, which information is most important for the PN to ask the child?

• A. How much exercise did the child have today?
• B. Did the child perform a finger stick?
• C. When did the child last urinate?
• D. Has the child eaten recently?

Correct answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Did the child perform a finger stick?' Before administering insulin, it is crucial to check the child's blood glucose level to prevent hypoglycemia. Performing a finger stick blood glucose test provides essential information on the current blood sugar level. Choice A ('How much exercise did the child have today?') is not as critical as monitoring blood glucose levels directly. Choice C ('When did the child last urinate?') is not directly related to the immediate need for insulin administration. Choice D ('Has the child eaten recently?') is important but not as crucial as knowing the current blood glucose level.

5. Which assessment finding would most likely indicate a complication of enteral tube feeding?

• A. Abdominal distension
• B. Weight gain
• C. Decreased bowel sounds
• D. Diarrhea

Correct answer: A

Rationale: Abdominal distension in a patient receiving enteral tube feeding may indicate a complication such as intolerance to feeding, delayed gastric emptying, or obstruction. Abdominal distension is a common sign of gastrointestinal issues related to enteral tube feeding. Weight gain is typically an expected outcome if the patient is receiving adequate nutrition. Decreased bowel sounds may indicate decreased motility but are not specific to enteral tube feeding complications. Diarrhea can occur due to various reasons, including infections, medications, or dietary changes, but it is not the most likely indication of a complication in enteral tube feeding.

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