A client with a serum albumin level of 3 g/dL has a pressure ulcer. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Monitor the client's fluid and electrolyte balance
- B. Consult a dietitian to improve the client's nutritional status
- C. Administer a protein supplement
- D. Administer an anti-inflammatory medication
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct first action for a client with a serum albumin level of 3 g/dL and a pressure ulcer is to consult a dietitian to improve the client's nutritional status. Adequate nutrition is essential for wound healing. Monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance is important but not the first priority in this situation. Administering a protein supplement can be considered after dietary evaluation. Administering an anti-inflammatory medication is not the primary intervention for addressing a pressure ulcer related to low albumin levels.
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A nurse is planning to irrigate and dress a clean, granulating wound for a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Irrigate the wound with normal saline.
- B. Apply a wet-to-dry gauze dressing.
- C. Use a cotton ball to cleanse the wound.
- D. Administer an analgesic after the dressing change.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to irrigate the wound with normal saline. Normal saline is the preferred solution for wound irrigation as it is isotonic and gentle, promoting healing in granulating wounds. Choice B, applying a wet-to-dry gauze dressing, is not appropriate for clean, granulating wounds as it can cause trauma to the wound bed upon removal. Choice C, using a cotton ball to cleanse the wound, is not ideal as cotton fibers can adhere to the wound and cause contamination. Choice D, administering an analgesic after the dressing change, is important for pain management but is not directly related to irrigating and dressing the wound.
How should a healthcare provider assess a patient for fluid overload?
- A. Monitor weight and assess for shortness of breath
- B. Auscultate lung sounds and monitor blood pressure
- C. Assess for edema in the extremities
- D. Assess for jugular venous distension
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correctly, the answer is to monitor weight and assess for shortness of breath when assessing a patient for fluid overload. Weight monitoring is crucial as sudden weight gain can indicate fluid retention. Shortness of breath can be a sign of fluid accumulation in the lungs. While auscultating lung sounds and monitoring blood pressure are important assessments in overall patient care, they may not be specific to fluid overload. Assessing for edema in the extremities is relevant, but it is not as sensitive as monitoring weight for detecting fluid overload. Assessing for jugular venous distension is more specific to assessing fluid status in heart failure rather than a general assessment for fluid overload.
A nurse is caring for a client who is in Buck's traction. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Remove the weights
- B. Ensure the weights hang freely
- C. Increase the traction force
- D. Loosen the ropes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action the nurse should take when caring for a client in Buck's traction is to ensure the weights hang freely. This is essential to maintain proper alignment and ensure the effectiveness of Buck's traction. Removing the weights (Choice A) would be incorrect and could compromise the treatment. Increasing the traction force (Choice C) can lead to excessive pressure and potential harm to the client. Loosening the ropes (Choice D) would also be inappropriate as it can disrupt the traction's effectiveness and alignment.
A client with diabetes is being discharged. What is an essential teaching point?
- A. Monitor blood sugar levels once a week
- B. Instruct the client to administer insulin before meals
- C. Teach the client to exercise regularly to maintain glucose control
- D. Administer oral hypoglycemics as needed
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Instructing the client to administer insulin before meals is a crucial teaching point for a client with diabetes. This action ensures proper glucose management by helping to control blood sugar levels. Monitoring blood sugar levels once a week (Choice A) may not be frequent enough to manage diabetes effectively. While regular exercise (Choice C) is beneficial for glucose control, the immediate administration of insulin is more critical at the time of discharge. Administering oral hypoglycemics as needed (Choice D) is inappropriate as it does not address the need for insulin administration for a client being discharged.
A nurse at a long-term care facility is part of a team preparing a report on the quality of care at the facility. Which of the following information should the nurse recommend including in the report to demonstrate improvement in care quality?
- A. Increased admissions
- B. 12% fewer urinary tract infections
- C. Increased mortality rate
- D. No changes in staffing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: '12% fewer urinary tract infections.' Tracking infections, such as UTIs, is crucial in assessing care quality improvements as the reduction in infections indicates better infection control practices and overall quality of care. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Increased admissions (Choice A) do not directly reflect improvements in care quality. Increased mortality rate (Choice C) is a negative outcome and demonstrates a decline in care quality. No changes in staffing (Choice D) do not provide direct evidence of care quality improvements.