A charge nurse in a long-term care facility will be implementing a new protocol to meet the Joint Commission's National Safety Goal of preventing health care-associated pressure ulcers. When informing the staff nurses about the new standard, the nurse should emphasize that which of the following actions is the priority?
- A. Turn and position each client every 2 hr.
- B. Identify the clients at greatest risk for development of pressure ulcers.
- C. Use a barrier cream when performing perineal care.
- D. Supervise clients to ensure adequate nutritional intake.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Identify the clients at greatest risk for development of pressure ulcers. This is the priority because it allows for targeted interventions to be implemented for those most vulnerable, maximizing resources and preventing potential harm. Turning and positioning clients, using barrier creams, and ensuring adequate nutrition are all important aspects of pressure ulcer prevention, but they should be tailored based on individual risk assessment. Supervising nutritional intake is crucial, but not the immediate priority in preventing pressure ulcers. Identifying high-risk clients allows for proactive measures to be taken, making it the most critical step in meeting the National Safety Goal.
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A nurse receives a client's laboratory results and notes a potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L. When reviewing the client's medication administration record, which of the following types of medication should the nurse identify as a contributing factor to the client's electrolyte imbalance?
- A. Corticosteroids
- B. NSAIDs
- C. ACE inhibitors
- D. SSRIs
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Corticosteroids can cause potassium loss through increased renal excretion, leading to hypokalemia.
A nurse is preparing an in-service presentation about preventing health care-associated infections (HAIs). The nurse should include which of the following as a common cause of these infections?
- A. Chlorhexidine washes
- B. Urinary catheterization
- C. Malnutrition
- D. Multiple caregivers
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Urinary catheterization. This is a common cause of HAIs due to the introduction of bacteria into the urinary tract. Catheters provide a direct pathway for bacteria to enter the body, leading to infections such as urinary tract infections. The other choices are incorrect because:
A: Chlorhexidine washes are actually used to prevent infections by killing bacteria on the skin.
C: Malnutrition can weaken the immune system and make individuals more susceptible to infections, but it is not a direct cause of HAIs.
D: Multiple caregivers can increase the risk of infections if proper hygiene practices are not followed, but it is not a specific cause of HAIs like urinary catheterization.
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxygen at 2 L/min via a nasal cannula. From this information, the nurse should identify that the client is receiving which of the following oxygen concentrations?
- A. 0.28
- B. 0.36
- C. 0.5
- D. 0.7
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A nasal cannula at 2 L/min delivers approximately 28% oxygen concentration. Higher values correspond to mask or higher flow rates.
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who reports constipation. Which of the following should the nurse discuss as causes of constipation? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Excessive laxative use
- B. Ignoring the urge to defecate
- C. Inadequate fluid intake
- D. Increased fiber in the diet
- E. Increased activity
Correct Answer: A,B,C
Rationale: The correct answer is A, B, and C. A: Excessive laxative use can lead to constipation by causing dependency on laxatives. B: Ignoring the urge to defecate can disrupt the normal bowel movement pattern, leading to constipation. C: Inadequate fluid intake can result in hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass, causing constipation. D: Increased fiber in the diet actually helps prevent constipation by adding bulk to the stool. E: Increased activity generally promotes bowel regularity and helps prevent constipation. By discussing A, B, and C with the client, the nurse can address common causes of constipation and provide appropriate interventions.
A nurse is caring for a client who has an electrical burn. With the client's permission, the nurse is answering questions from the family about his status. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
- A. He is doing well, although he might be in the hospital for some time.
- B. He has an electrical burn. He is stable, and we will update you with any changes.
- C. He has an electrical burn, which caused coagulation of some tissues.
- D. He does not appear to have much damage and should be fine soon.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Providing factual and clear information about the client's condition maintains trust and transparency with the family.