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A client reports severe pain unrelieved by pain medication in a limb with traction. What is the nurse's priority?
- A. Increase the dosage of pain medication.
- B. Assess for compartment syndrome.
- C. Wait for the healthcare provider to address the issue.
- D. Reposition the client to alleviate the pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess for compartment syndrome. Severe unrelieved pain in a limb with traction can be a sign of compartment syndrome, a surgical emergency. Prompt assessment is crucial to prevent potential complications. Increasing pain medication dosage without addressing the underlying cause may delay necessary interventions. Waiting for the healthcare provider may lead to a critical delay in treatment. Repositioning the client may not alleviate the pain if it is due to compartment syndrome, and it is crucial to assess for this condition first.
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A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client via a nasogastric (NG) tube. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Crush all medications and administer them all at once.
- B. Flush the NG tube before and after each medication.
- C. Administer only liquid forms of medications.
- D. Skip flushing the tube entirely.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Flush the NG tube before and after each medication.' Flushing the NG tube is essential to ensure that the medication passes through smoothly without any obstruction. It helps prevent clogging of the tube and ensures that the full dose of the medication reaches the patient. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because crushing all medications at once, administering only liquid forms of medications, and skipping tube flushing entirely can lead to complications such as tube blockages, incomplete medication administration, and potential harm to the client.
While working the night shift, a nurse observes a colleague behaving strangely. What is the best course of action?
- A. Ignore the behavior and continue working
- B. Report the behavior to the supervisor
- C. Ask the colleague if everything is okay
- D. Discuss the behavior with other colleagues
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse observes a colleague behaving strangely, the best course of action is to report the behavior to the supervisor. Unusual behavior by a healthcare professional could compromise patient safety and should be addressed promptly. Ignoring the behavior (Choice A) could potentially lead to negative outcomes for patients. Asking the colleague directly (Choice C) may not be appropriate if the behavior poses a risk. Discussing the behavior with other colleagues (Choice D) may not directly address the issue and could lead to gossip rather than a resolution.
A client with leukemia is considered for a bone marrow transplant. Which principle of healthcare ethics is being practiced by minimizing harm to the client?
- A. Justice
- B. Beneficence
- C. Nonmaleficence
- D. Autonomy
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Nonmaleficence. Nonmaleficence is the ethical principle that focuses on avoiding harm to the patient. In this scenario, by considering a bone marrow transplant for the client with leukemia, healthcare professionals are practicing nonmaleficence by aiming to minimize harm. Choice A, Justice, pertains to fairness in the distribution of resources and decisions, which is not the primary focus in this situation. Choice B, Beneficence, involves promoting the patient's well-being, which is related but not directly addressing the act of minimizing harm. Choice D, Autonomy, refers to respecting the patient's right to make decisions about their own care, which is not the key principle at play when minimizing harm in this context.
How should a healthcare professional position a patient to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers?
- A. Position the patient in the supine position for long periods.
- B. Use pillows to support bony prominences.
- C. Turn the patient every 4 hours.
- D. Place the patient on an alternating pressure mattress.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correctly positioning a patient to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers involves using pillows to support bony prominences. This helps to relieve pressure from vulnerable areas and prevent the development of pressure ulcers. Choice A is incorrect because keeping a patient in the supine position for extended periods can increase the risk of pressure ulcers. Choice C is incorrect as turning the patient every 2 hours, rather than every 4 hours, is recommended to prevent pressure ulcers. Choice D is not the best option mentioned for positioning a patient to reduce pressure ulcer risk; although alternating pressure mattresses can be beneficial, using pillows for support is a more direct and commonly used method.
Which nursing action is essential when administering a blood transfusion?
- A. Ensure the blood is administered within 4 hours.
- B. Check the patient's vital signs every 30 minutes during the transfusion.
- C. Administer the transfusion at a slow rate for the first 15 minutes.
- D. Document the transfusion in the patient's medical record immediately after administration.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to administer the transfusion at a slow rate for the first 15 minutes. This practice is crucial as it helps in detecting any adverse reactions early on. Checking the patient's vital signs every 30 minutes (choice B) is important but not as essential as ensuring a slow rate at the beginning. Administering blood within 4 hours (choice A) is a standard practice but not directly related to the initial administration. Documenting the transfusion immediately (choice D) is necessary but does not directly impact the safety of the initial administration.