A client has Clostridium difficile infection. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Wash hands with an alcohol-based hand rub.
- B. Place the client on contact precautions.
- C. Wear a mask when entering the client's room.
- D. Double-bag all linens before removing them from the room.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take when caring for a client with Clostridium difficile infection is to place the client on contact precautions. This helps prevent the spread of the infection to other clients. Washing hands with an alcohol-based hand rub is important for infection control but is not specific to preventing the spread of Clostridium difficile. Wearing a mask may be necessary for airborne precautions but is not the priority for Clostridium difficile infection. Double-bagging linens is not a standard practice for preventing the spread of Clostridium difficile.
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A charge nurse is teaching a group of nurses about delegation. Which task should the nurse delegate to assistive personnel (AP)?
- A. Teaching a new mother how to breastfeed.
- B. Assisting a client with ambulation post-surgery.
- C. Helping with medication administration.
- D. Delegating IV medication administration.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Assisting a client with ambulation post-surgery is a task that can be appropriately delegated to assistive personnel (AP) as it falls within their scope of duties. Teaching a new mother how to breastfeed and helping with medication administration involve assessments and critical thinking that are typically within the scope of licensed nursing staff, not AP. Delegating IV medication administration involves a higher level of skill and knowledge that should be performed by licensed nursing staff.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is receiving radiation therapy for cancer of the larynx. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. Apply heat to the neck to relieve pain.
- B. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to prevent gum irritation.
- C. Rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash twice daily.
- D. Wear loose-fitting clothing to protect your skin.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to use a soft-bristle toothbrush to prevent gum irritation in clients undergoing radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer. Radiation therapy can cause oral mucositis and increase the risk of gum irritation, so using a soft-bristle toothbrush is recommended to minimize trauma to the gums and oral mucosa. Applying heat to the neck is contraindicated as it can exacerbate tissue damage caused by radiation. Rinsing the mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash is preferred over an alcohol-based one to prevent drying and irritation of the oral mucosa. Wearing loose-fitting clothing is advised to prevent friction and irritation on the skin, rather than tight-fitting clothing that may cause pressure ulcers or skin breakdown.
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a prescription for spironolactone. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Potassium 5.0 mEq/L
- B. Blood pressure 136/84 mm Hg
- C. Sodium 140 mEq/L
- D. Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A potassium level of 5.0 mEq/L is at the upper limit of normal and should be monitored closely in clients taking spironolactone, which is potassium-sparing. Elevated potassium levels can lead to hyperkalemia, especially in individuals on potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone. Monitoring and reporting high potassium levels are crucial to prevent potential complications such as cardiac arrhythmias. Blood pressure (choice B), sodium level (choice C), and calcium level (choice D) are not directly related to the use of spironolactone and do not require immediate reporting in this scenario.
A client has a new prescription for hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. Take this medication at bedtime to prevent dizziness.
- B. Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods.
- C. Take this medication with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
- D. This medication can increase your blood pressure.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct instruction that the nurse should include for a client prescribed hydrochlorothiazide is to increase their intake of potassium-rich foods. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that can lead to potassium depletion, so increasing potassium-rich foods helps prevent hypokalemia. Option A is incorrect because hydrochlorothiazide is usually taken in the morning to prevent diuresis at night. Option C is not necessary as hydrochlorothiazide can be taken with or without food. Option D is incorrect because hydrochlorothiazide is used to lower blood pressure, not increase it.
A client in active labor is being assessed by a nurse. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Contractions lasting 80 seconds.
- B. FHR baseline of 170/min.
- C. Early decelerations in the FHR.
- D. Temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F).
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because a baseline FHR of 170/min indicates fetal tachycardia, which needs further evaluation. Choice A about contractions lasting 80 seconds is within the normal range for active labor. Choice C, early decelerations in the FHR, are generally considered benign and do not require immediate reporting. Choice D, a temperature of 37.4°C (99.3°F), falls within normal limits for a laboring client and does not warrant immediate reporting.