A nurse is preparing to administer 2 continuous IV medications concurrently via a 20-gauge IV. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Assess the condition of the IV site
- B. Check 2 client identifiers before administering medications
- C. Consult a medication guide for compatibility
- D. Wash hands prior to administering medications
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ensuring medication compatibility prevents chemical interactions or precipitation in the IV line, which could harm the client or obstruct the catheter.
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The nurse is caring for assigned clients. The nurse should first check the client
- A. with hypothyroidism who is reporting constipation, weakness, and peripheral edema
- B. with chronic pancreatitis who is reporting upper abdominal pain and voluminous, foul-smelling, fatty stools
- C. who has bacterial pneumonia, is receiving IV antibiotic therapy, and is reporting a cough productive of blood-tinged sputum
- D. who has an external fixation device, a temperature of 101.8°F (38.8°C), and is reporting redness and pain around the pin sites
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fever, redness, and pain around pin sites suggest a possible infection at the external fixation site, which is a priority due to the risk of osteomyelitis or systemic infection.
The nurse is caring for a group of clients. Which finding requires immediate action by the nurse?
- A. Client scheduled for discharge who has had a peripheral IV in place for 84 hours
- B. Client with a do-not-resuscitate prescription who has swelling at the IV site
- C. Client with a saline lock who had a scheduled IV saline flush due 15 minutes ago
- D. Client with an IV infusing at 20 mL/hr who has 100 mL fluid remaining in the bag
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A peripheral IV in place for 84 hours increases the risk of infection and phlebitis. Guidelines recommend changing IV sites every 72-96 hours, so this requires immediate action to remove or replace the IV.
A 9 year-old is taken to the emergency room with right lower quadrant pain and vomiting. When preparing the child for an emergency appendectomy, what must the nurse expect to be the child's greatest fear?
- A. Change in body image
- B. An unfamiliar environment
- C. Perceived loss of control
- D. Guilt over being hospitalized
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: For school-age children, major fears are loss of control and separation from friends/peers.
A nurse has received report from the off-going shift that a client is confused and has been identified as a high risk for falls. The nurse shares this information with the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which finding by the nurse requires intervention?
- A. UAP has attached a bed alarm to the client's gown and bed
- B. UAP has been making hourly rounds on the client
- C. UAP has lowered the bed and raised all 4 side rails
- D. UAP has placed a fall risk ID bracelet on the client's wrist
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Raising all four side rails is a restraint and can increase fall risk if the client attempts to climb over them. It also violates standards of care unless specifically prescribed.
A 20-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital following an accident. Her uncle, a physician from out of state, visits her and asks to see her chart. How should the nurse respond?
- A. Comply with the request and give the chart to the physician
- B. Explain that written permission from his niece is needed first
- C. Suggest that he discuss the case with the attending physician
- D. Give him the chart but do not let him remove it from the nurse's station
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: HIPAA regulations require patient consent for chart access, even by a physician relative, unless they are directly involved in care. Permission from the patient is needed first.