A healthcare professional is assessing a patient with pneumonia. Which finding is most concerning?
- A. Fever of 101°F.
- B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg.
- C. Heart rate of 95 beats per minute.
- D. Crackles heard in the lung bases.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Crackles heard in the lung bases are most concerning in a patient with pneumonia as they suggest fluid accumulation in the lungs, indicating possible severe infection or respiratory distress. Prompt intervention is required to prevent further complications.\n\nChoice A, fever of 101°F, is common in infections like pneumonia but may not be as immediately concerning as crackles indicating fluid in the lungs.\n\nChoice B, a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg, is within normal limits and not directly indicative of pneumonia severity.\n\nChoice C, a heart rate of 95 beats per minute, is slightly elevated but not as critical as crackles suggesting fluid in the lungs.
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A nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who has developed pulmonary edema. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer a diuretic as prescribed.
- B. Place the patient in a high Fowler's position.
- C. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula.
- D. Monitor the patient's lung sounds every 2 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to place the patient in a high Fowler's position. This position helps improve lung expansion and oxygenation in cases of pulmonary edema by reducing venous return to the heart and enhancing respiratory mechanics. Administering a diuretic (Choice A) can be important but is not the priority over positioning in this situation. Administering oxygen (Choice C) is essential, but the priority action for improving oxygenation is the positioning of the patient. Monitoring lung sounds (Choice D) is crucial for ongoing assessment but is not the priority action when the patient is in distress with pulmonary edema.
A nurse notices another nurse skipping hand hygiene. What is the appropriate course of action?
- A. Ignore the situation to maintain team harmony.
- B. Report the behavior to the supervisor.
- C. Discuss the issue with the nurse directly.
- D. Do nothing and continue with patient care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct hand hygiene is crucial for preventing the spread of infections and ensuring patient safety. When a nurse observes another healthcare worker skipping hand hygiene practices, it is essential to report this behavior to the supervisor. Reporting ensures that appropriate action is taken to address the issue and maintain a safe environment for patients. Ignoring the situation (Choice A) may compromise patient safety. Discussing the issue directly with the nurse (Choice C) may not always be effective in ensuring compliance. Doing nothing and continuing with patient care (Choice D) disregards the importance of infection control protocols.
A client is preparing for surgery wearing a necklace. What is the appropriate action?
- A. Remove the necklace and place it in a drawer
- B. Tape the necklace to the patient's skin
- C. Ask the patient for permission to lock it in a safe
- D. Ask the family to hold onto the necklace
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The appropriate action when a client is wearing a necklace before surgery is to ask the patient for permission to lock it in a safe. This is in line with hospital policy to secure valuables before entering surgery. Choice A is incorrect because simply placing the necklace in a drawer may not be secure. Choice B is incorrect as taping the necklace to the patient's skin can cause skin irritation and is not a standard practice. Choice D is incorrect because the responsibility for securing valuables typically lies with the healthcare team, not the patient's family.
What is the priority action when a patient is experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication?
- A. Monitor the patient's blood pressure every 15 minutes.
- B. Discontinue the medication and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Administer an antihistamine to reduce symptoms.
- D. Monitor the patient's urine output closely.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to discontinue the medication and notify the healthcare provider when a patient is experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication. This action is crucial to prevent further harm to the patient. Monitoring blood pressure (choice A) or urine output (choice D) may be important but is not the priority when managing an allergic reaction. Administering an antihistamine (choice C) should only be done after discontinuing the medication and consulting with the healthcare provider.
A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Begin feeding the patient soft solids.
- B. Place the patient on NPO (nothing by mouth) status.
- C. Provide ice chips to help soothe the throat.
- D. Start the patient on a clear liquid diet.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to place the patient on NPO (nothing by mouth) status. Patients recovering from a stroke with difficulty swallowing are at high risk for aspiration, which can lead to serious complications like aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, the priority is to keep the patient on NPO until a thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider is completed. Choice A is incorrect as feeding the patient soft solids can increase the risk of aspiration. Choice C is incorrect as providing ice chips may further compromise swallowing safety. Choice D is incorrect as starting the patient on a clear liquid diet can also increase the risk of aspiration in this scenario.