A patient with a urinary catheter reports discomfort. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Ensure the catheter tubing is not kinked.
- B. Irrigate the catheter to relieve the discomfort.
- C. Change the catheter to a smaller size.
- D. Remove the catheter and replace it with a new one.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to ensure the catheter tubing is not kinked. This is the priority action because a kinked tubing can obstruct urine flow, leading to discomfort and potential complications. It is essential to troubleshoot the current catheter first before considering other interventions. Irrigating the catheter (Choice B) may not address the underlying issue of kinking. Changing the catheter to a smaller size (Choice C) or removing and replacing it with a new one (Choice D) should only be considered if ensuring the tubing is unkinked does not resolve the discomfort.
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse manager assigns a nursing assistant a task outside of their role. What should the nursing assistant do?
- A. Follow the manager's directive
- B. Report the task to the charge nurse
- C. Refuse to perform the task
- D. Perform the task and document later
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If a nurse manager assigns a nursing assistant a task that is outside of their role, the nursing assistant should report the task to the charge nurse. This is important because the charge nurse can provide guidance on whether the task is appropriate for the nursing assistant to perform. Choice A is incorrect because blindly following a directive that is outside of the nursing assistant's scope could lead to negative consequences. Choice C might not be the best course of action initially, as it's important to seek clarification first. Choice D is also not the best option because performing a task outside of one's role without proper authorization can pose risks to both the patient and the nursing assistant.
A nurse provides instructions to a client about preventing injury while using crutches. What should the nurse tell the client to avoid?
- A. An abnormal stance
- B. Injury to the nerves
- C. A fall and further injury
- D. Skin breakdown
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Injury to the nerves. Resting the underside of the arm on the crutch pad can injure the nerves. Choice A, an abnormal stance, is not directly related to nerve injury while using crutches. Choice C, a fall and further injury, is a general risk associated with improper crutch use but does not specifically address nerve injury. Choice D, skin breakdown, is a concern related to pressure ulcers but not the primary focus when discussing injury prevention related to crutch use.
A patient with severe pain and leg swelling is admitted. What should the nurse assess for?
- A. Check for signs of deep vein thrombosis.
- B. Assess for compartment syndrome.
- C. Increase the patient's fluid intake.
- D. Prepare the patient for surgery to relieve pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a patient presents with severe pain and leg swelling, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a serious condition that can develop due to increased pressure within a muscle compartment, leading to compromised circulation and potential tissue damage. It is crucial to identify compartment syndrome promptly as it may require immediate intervention to prevent further complications. Checking for signs of deep vein thrombosis (Choice A) is also important in a patient with leg swelling, but in this scenario, the focus should be on assessing for compartment syndrome due to the severity of the symptoms. Increasing fluid intake (Choice C) may not address the underlying cause of the patient's symptoms. Preparing the patient for surgery (Choice D) without a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis is premature and may not be the appropriate initial intervention.
The emergency department has been notified of a potential bioterrorism attack. Which action by the nurse is priority?
- A. Prepare for potential posttraumatic stress related to this bioterrorism attack.
- B. Transport patients quickly and efficiently through the elevators.
- C. Monitor for specific symptoms related to the bioterrorism attack.
- D. Manage all patients using standard precautions.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: During a potential bioterrorism attack, the priority for the nurse is to manage all patients using standard precautions. This approach ensures the safety of both patients and healthcare providers by preventing the spread of potential bioterrorism-related illnesses. Option A is incorrect because managing patient care and safety through standard precautions takes precedence. Option B is incorrect as patient transport should also be done while adhering to infection control measures. Option C is incorrect as monitoring for specific symptoms is important but not the priority when all patients need to be managed with standard precautions.
A nurse is caring for a patient with an infection. Which laboratory result is most important to monitor?
- A. White blood cell count (WBC)
- B. C-reactive protein (CRP)
- C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- D. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: White blood cell count (WBC). Monitoring the white blood cell count is crucial when caring for a patient with an infection as it helps assess the body's response to the infection. An elevated white blood cell count often indicates an active infection or inflammation, while a decreasing count may signal improvement or potential complications. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are nonspecific markers of inflammation and not as specific to monitoring infection progression as the white blood cell count. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity and blood volume, but they are not the primary indicators for monitoring infection.