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.
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A client with renal calculi is admitted. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Monitor urinary output every shift.
- B. Administer pain medication as ordered.
- C. Strain all urine for stones.
- D. Increase fluid intake to flush the urinary tract.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to strain all urine for stones. This is the priority nursing intervention for a client with renal calculi as it helps in identifying and preventing stones from passing unnoticed. Monitoring urinary output, administering pain medication, and increasing fluid intake are important aspects of care for this client, but the priority is to ensure that any passed stones are collected and analyzed to guide further treatment.
The nurse is performing hand hygiene before assisting a healthcare provider with insertion of a chest tube. While washing hands, the nurse touches the sink. Which action will the nurse take next?
- A. Repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap.
- B. Inform the healthcare provider and recruit another nurse to assist.
- C. Extend the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes.
- D. Rinse and dry hands and begin assisting the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The sink is considered a contaminated area. When hand hygiene is compromised during the process, it is essential to repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap to ensure proper hygiene. Choice B is incorrect because the situation can be managed by proper handwashing. Choice C is incorrect as extending the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes is not necessary in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect as the hands need to be properly cleaned before assisting the healthcare provider.
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.
How should a healthcare provider respond when a patient expresses concerns about the side effects of a prescribed medication?
- A. Reassure the patient that side effects are rare.
- B. Discuss the benefits and risks of the medication with the patient.
- C. Encourage the patient to speak to the pharmacist.
- D. Refer the patient to another healthcare provider for information.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a patient expresses concerns about medication side effects, it is crucial for the healthcare provider to discuss the benefits and risks of the medication with the patient. This approach helps the patient make an informed decision about their treatment. Choice A is incorrect because dismissing the patient's concerns by reassuring them that side effects are rare may not address the patient's specific worries. Choice C, while pharmacists can provide valuable information, the primary responsibility lies with the healthcare provider. Choice D is incorrect as referring the patient to another healthcare provider may disrupt continuity of care and not address the patient's concerns effectively.
A nurse delegates a position change to a nursing assistive personnel. The nurse instructs the assistive personnel (AP) to place the patient in the lateral position. Which finding by the nurse indicates a correct outcome?
- A. Patient is lying semiprone.
- B. Patient is lying on side.
- C. Patient is lying on abdomen.
- D. Patient is lying on back.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the lateral position means lying on the side with body weight on the dependent hip and shoulder. Choice A is incorrect as 'semiprone' means lying on the abdomen with one leg flexed. Choice C is incorrect as 'prone' means lying face down. Choice D is incorrect as 'supine' means lying on the back.