When caring for a client with a tracheostomy, what is the most important assessment to perform?
- A. Check the client's oxygen saturation
- B. Assess the tracheostomy site for signs of infection
- C. Monitor the client's respiratory rate
- D. Ensure the tracheostomy ties are secure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most important assessment to perform when caring for a client with a tracheostomy is to check the client's oxygen saturation. This assessment is crucial as it ensures that the client is receiving adequate oxygen through the tracheostomy. Monitoring oxygen saturation provides immediate information on the client's respiratory status and the effectiveness of the airway management. Assessing the tracheostomy site for signs of infection is important but not as critical as ensuring adequate oxygenation. Monitoring the respiratory rate is also essential but does not directly assess the effectiveness of oxygenation. Ensuring tracheostomy ties are secure is important for maintaining the device but does not directly evaluate the client's oxygenation status.
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A client reports pain after medication administration. What is the next best step for the nurse?
- A. Reassess the client's pain
- B. Increase the pain medication dose
- C. Apply a cold compress
- D. Contact the healthcare provider
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to reassess the client's pain. Reassessment is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the initial intervention. By reassessing, the nurse can determine if the current pain management plan is adequate or if further interventions are required. Increasing the pain medication dose without reassessment can lead to overmedication and potential adverse effects. Applying a cold compress may not address the underlying cause of the pain and should be based on a proper assessment. Contacting the healthcare provider should be considered if the reassessment indicates a need for further evaluation or intervention beyond the nurse's scope of practice.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is learning to administer insulin. What is the best site for the nurse to recommend for insulin injection?
- A. Abdomen
- B. Thigh
- C. Upper arm
- D. Buttock
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is the abdomen. The abdomen is the recommended site for insulin injection due to its faster absorption rate compared to other sites. Insulin injected into the abdomen is absorbed more quickly, leading to better glycemic control. The thigh and upper arm are also common sites for insulin injection, but they have slower absorption rates than the abdomen. The buttock is not a preferred site for insulin injection due to inconsistent absorption and potential risk of injecting into muscle instead of fatty tissue.
A client has a prescription for a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator (TENS) unit for pain management during the postoperative period following a Lumbar Laminectomy. What information should the nurse reinforce about the action of this adjuvant pain modality?
- A. Mild electrical stimulus on the skin surface closes the gates of nerve conduction for severe pain
- B. Pain perception in the cerebral cortex is dulled by the unit's discharge of an electrical stimulus
- C. An infusion of medication in the spinal canal will block pain perception
- D. The discharge of electricity will distract the client's focus on the pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. TENS units work by delivering small electrical impulses through the skin. These impulses are thought to close the 'gates of nerve conduction,' which can help in managing severe pain. Choice B is incorrect because the dulled pain perception does not occur in the cerebral cortex by the TENS unit. Choice C is incorrect as it describes a different method of pain management involving medication in the spinal canal. Choice D is incorrect because TENS does not work by distracting the client's focus on pain, but rather by altering pain perception through electrical impulses.
A client with hemorrhoids asks for information about a high fiber diet. Which breakfast menu items should the nurse suggest? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Raisin bran muffins
- B. Bowl of oatmeal
- C. Cup of raspberries
- D. Scrambled eggs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A high-fiber diet is beneficial for managing hemorrhoids as it helps maintain bowel regularity. Raisin bran muffins are a good choice for breakfast as they are high in fiber. Oatmeal is also a high-fiber option that aids digestion and prevents constipation. Raspberries are rich in fiber and contribute to a high-fiber diet. Scrambled eggs, on the other hand, are not high in fiber and do not provide the necessary fiber content needed for managing hemorrhoids.
Which client assessment falls within the scope of practice for the practical nurse?
- A. An agitated client with bilateral wrist restraints
- B. New admission of a client with deep vein thrombosis
- C. Return of a post-anesthesia client following a colon resection
- D. Transfer of a client with sepsis from a long-term care facility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because assessing a new deep vein thrombosis (DVT) patient is within the scope of practical nursing. It involves monitoring and supporting the circulatory system health, which is a common responsibility for practical nurses. Choices A, C, and D involve scenarios that are typically beyond the initial assessment and care provided by practical nurses. An agitated client with bilateral wrist restraints may require immediate intervention by higher-level healthcare providers due to safety concerns and potential underlying issues. The return of a post-anesthesia client following a colon resection and the transfer of a client with sepsis involve more specialized care that goes beyond the typical responsibilities of a practical nurse, often requiring interventions from registered nurses or physicians.