When preparing to administer a medication through a nasogastric (NG) tube, what is the first action the nurse should take?
- A. Check the placement of the NG tube
- B. Flush the tube with saline
- C. Position the client in a semi-Fowler's position
- D. Administer the medication slowly
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct first action when preparing to administer a medication through a nasogastric (NG) tube is to check the placement of the NG tube. This step is essential to ensure that the tube is correctly positioned in the stomach and not in the lungs, preventing potential complications. Flushing the tube with saline may be required, but it should follow the verification of tube placement. Positioning the client in a semi-Fowler's position is necessary for comfort during the procedure but is not the initial step. Administering the medication can only be done safely after confirming the correct placement of the NG tube.
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After administering pantoprazole to a client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which statement by the client indicates to the nurse that the medication is producing the desired effect?
- A. After eating my meal, I did not experience any heartburn
- B. I have a great appetite and am feeling really hungry
- C. I should increase the amount of vitamin C in my diet
- D. While eating, I had no difficulty swallowing any of the foods
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. Pantoprazole reduces stomach acid production, thus preventing the occurrence of heartburn after meals, which is a common symptom of GERD. Choice B is incorrect because an increased appetite and hunger are not indicators of the desired effect of pantoprazole. Choice C is unrelated to the medication's effect on GERD symptoms. Choice D is also incorrect because the absence of difficulty swallowing is not a specific indicator of pantoprazole's effectiveness in treating GERD.
Which laboratory value is most important to monitor for a patient receiving heparin therapy?
- A. Platelet count
- B. Prothrombin time (PT)
- C. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
- D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C, Partial thromboplastin time (PTT). PTT is monitored to assess the therapeutic effect of heparin therapy. It helps ensure that the heparin levels are within the desired range to prevent either clotting or excessive bleeding. Platelet count (A) is important but does not directly assess heparin's therapeutic effect. Prothrombin time (PT) (B) and International normalized ratio (INR) (D) are used to monitor patients on warfarin, not heparin therapy.
A nurse is caring for a 60-year-old man who is scheduled to have coronary bypass surgery in the morning. He tells the nurse that he is afraid that he will die and he is scared of the surgery. What is the best reply for this nurse to give him?
- A. There is no reason to be scared. My father had this surgery, and now he's playing tennis with his friends almost every day.
- B. I would be scared too. It's a natural thing to feel. Don't worry. Everything will be alright.
- C. You're scared?
- D. The doctor has performed hundreds of successful bypass surgeries. I have a lot of faith in him.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The best reply for the nurse to give the patient is option C: 'You're scared?' This response reflects empathy and understanding, acknowledging the patient's feelings of fear. By directly addressing the patient's emotions, the nurse encourages further expression of concerns, which is crucial in providing emotional support. Choices A and D may come off as dismissive of the patient's feelings by downplaying his fear or shifting the focus to others' experiences. Choice B, although acknowledging the patient's fear, does not actively engage with the patient's emotions or encourage further discussion.
A client is recovering from a craniotomy and has a ventriculostomy in place. The nurse notices the drainage from the ventriculostomy is suddenly increasing. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Increase the head of the bed to 45 degrees.
- B. Clamp the ventriculostomy tube.
- C. Notify the healthcare provider immediately.
- D. Measure the client's head circumference.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A sudden increase in drainage from a ventriculostomy could indicate a serious complication such as increased intracranial pressure or hemorrhage. The priority action in this situation is to notify the healthcare provider immediately to ensure prompt evaluation and intervention. Increasing the head of the bed may be beneficial in some situations but is not the first action to take. Clamping the ventriculostomy tube is inappropriate as it can lead to increased intracranial pressure. Measuring the client's head circumference is not the priority when there is a sudden increase in ventriculostomy drainage.
A nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who continues to repeat the last words heard. Which nursing problem should the nurse document in the medical record?
- A. Altered thought processes
- B. Impaired social interaction
- C. Risk for self-directed violence
- D. Disturbed thought processes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Disturbed thought processes. Echolalia, or the repetition of words, is indicative of disturbed thought processes, a common symptom in clients with schizophrenia. Choice A (Altered thought processes) is a more appropriate term than 'Disturbed thought processes' to describe the issue of echolalia. Choice B (Impaired social interaction) is not the best option in this scenario as echolalia is not primarily a social interaction issue. Choice C (Risk for self-directed violence) is not directly related to the symptom described in the question, which is echolalia, indicating a disturbance in thought processes.