During the initial physical assessment of a newly admitted client with a pressure ulcer, an LPN observes that the client's skin is dry and scaly. The nurse applies emollients and reinforces the dressing on the pressure ulcer. Legally, were the nurse's actions adequate?
- A. The nurse should have also initiated a plan to increase activity.
- B. The nurse provided supportive nursing care for the well-being of the client.
- C. Debridement of the pressure ulcer should have been performed before applying the dressing.
- D. Treatment should not have been initiated until the healthcare provider's prescriptions were received.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Providing supportive nursing care, such as applying emollients and reinforcing the dressing on the pressure ulcer, meets the immediate needs of the client and is in line with legal and professional standards. Option A is incorrect because increasing activity may not be directly related to the immediate skin care needs of the client. Option C is incorrect as debridement might not be immediately necessary based on the initial assessment. Option D is incorrect as nurses are often authorized to initiate treatments within their scope of practice without waiting for healthcare provider prescriptions, especially for routine care like skin moisturization and dressing reinforcement.
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While measuring a client's vital signs, the nurse notices an irregularity in the heart rate. Which nursing action is appropriate?
- A. Count the apical pulse rate for 1 full minute, and describe the rhythm in the chart
- B. Measure the blood pressure
- C. Perform an ECG
- D. Recheck the heart rate after 5 minutes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The appropriate nursing action when an irregularity in the heart rate is observed is to count the apical pulse rate for a full minute and describe the rhythm in the chart. This approach helps in obtaining an accurate assessment of the irregularities present. Measuring the blood pressure (Choice B) is important but not the immediate priority when an irregular heart rate is noted. Performing an ECG (Choice C) may be necessary but is a more advanced intervention that should follow the initial assessment. Rechecking the heart rate after 5 minutes (Choice D) may delay potential interventions for addressing the irregularity, making it less appropriate than the immediate assessment and documentation of the pulse rhythm.
After performing foot care, the nurse checks the medical record and discovers that the patient has a disorder on the sole of the foot caused by a virus. Which condition did the nurse most likely observe?
- A. Corns
- B. A callus
- C. Plantar warts
- D. Athlete's foot
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse most likely observed plantar warts, which appear on the sole of the foot and are caused by the papillomavirus. Corns (Choice A) and calluses (Choice B) are areas of thickened skin caused by pressure or friction and are not typically associated with viruses. Athlete's foot (Choice D) is a fungal infection that usually affects the skin between the toes and is not caused by a virus like plantar warts.
A client has left lower atelectasis. In which of the following positions should the nurse place the client for postural drainage?
- A. Supine and low Fowler's position
- B. Right lateral in Trendelenburg position
- C. Side lying with the right side of the chest elevated
- D. Prone with pillows under the extremities
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Postural drainage is a technique used to help remove secretions from specific lung segments. For left lower atelectasis, placing the client in the right lateral Trendelenburg position is most effective. This position helps target the affected area, using gravity to assist in drainage. Placing the client in a supine or low Fowler's position (Choice A) may not effectively target the affected area. Side lying with the right side of the chest elevated (Choice C) would not utilize gravity for optimal drainage. Placing the client prone with pillows under the extremities (Choice D) is not ideal for postural drainage of the left lower lobe.
The healthcare provider prescribes 1,000 ml of Ringer's Lactate with 30 Units of Pitocin to run over 4 hours for a client who has just delivered a 10-pound infant by cesarean section. The tubing has been changed to a 20 gtt/ml administration set. The LPN/LVN plans to set the flow rate at how many gtt/min?
- A. 42 gtt/min
- B. 83 gtt/min
- C. 125 gtt/min
- D. 250 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To calculate the flow rate in drops per minute (gtt/min), the formula is Total volume (mL) · Time (min) · Drop factor (gtt/mL). In this case, 1000 mL · 240 min · 20 gtt/mL = 83 gtt/min. Therefore, setting the flow rate to 83 gtt/min ensures the correct administration of the IV fluids and medication. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect as they do not align with the correct calculation based on the provided information.
What should be done when caring for a client who died?
- A. Obtain orders, Remove tubes, Wash client, Ask family, Place tags.
- B. Wash client, Obtain orders, Place tags, Remove tubes, Ask family.
- C. Remove tubes, Obtain orders, Ask family, Place tags, Wash client.
- D. Ask family, Place tags, Wash client, Remove tubes, Obtain orders.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When caring for a deceased client, the correct sequence of actions involves first obtaining any necessary orders, then removing tubes, washing the client, asking the family for specific requests, and finally placing identification tags. This order ensures proper care and respect for the deceased individual. Option A presents the correct order of actions. Choice B is incorrect because washing the client should be done after removing tubes. Choice C is incorrect as it does not follow the correct order of actions. Choice D is incorrect because asking the family should be done after caring for the client's body, not before.