A client with anemia is prescribed iron supplements. What teaching should the nurse provide?
- A. Take iron supplements with meals to prevent stomach upset.
- B. Take iron supplements with milk to improve absorption.
- C. Expect black, tarry stools as a side effect of iron supplements.
- D. Take iron supplements with vitamin C to improve absorption.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Take iron supplements with vitamin C to improve absorption. Vitamin C enhances iron uptake, making it more bioavailable for the body. It is essential to avoid taking iron supplements with milk (choice B) as calcium-rich foods can hinder iron absorption. Taking iron supplements with meals (choice A) can help reduce stomach upset, but the optimal way to enhance absorption is with vitamin C. Black, tarry stools (choice C) are not a typical side effect of iron supplements and should be reported to the healthcare provider.
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The nursing student is discussing with a preceptor the delegation of tasks to an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP). Which tasks, delegated to a UAP, indicates the student needs further teaching about the delegation process?
- A. Assist a client post cerebral vascular accident to ambulate
- B. Feed a 2-year-old in balanced skeletal traction
- C. Care for a client with discharge orders
- D. Collect a sputum specimen for acid-fast bacillus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Caring for a client with discharge orders involves tasks that require critical thinking and clinical judgment, which are beyond the scope of a UAP. Delegating this task to a UAP can compromise patient safety and outcomes. The correct answer is C. Choices A, B, and D are appropriate tasks to delegate to a UAP based on their training and scope of practice. Assisting a client to ambulate, feeding a pediatric patient in traction, and collecting a sputum specimen are tasks that can be safely performed by a UAP under appropriate supervision.
A client with diabetes mellitus is scheduled for surgery. What is the nurse's priority action when preparing this client for surgery?
- A. Ensure the client is NPO before surgery
- B. Monitor the client's blood glucose levels
- C. Administer the client's insulin as scheduled
- D. Teach the client about postoperative care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor the client's blood glucose levels. Clients with diabetes are at risk for perioperative complications related to blood glucose fluctuations. Monitoring blood glucose levels is crucial to maintaining proper management before, during, and after surgery. Option A is not the priority action as ensuring NPO status is a standard preoperative procedure for all clients. Option C could be important but is secondary to monitoring blood glucose levels. Option D is important but not the priority during the preoperative phase.
The client is being taught to choose foods rich in potassium to prevent digitalis toxicity. Which choice indicates the client understands dietary needs?
- A. Three apricots
- B. Medium banana
- C. Naval orange
- D. Baked potato
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Baked potato. Baked potatoes are rich in potassium, which is essential in preventing digitalis toxicity by helping to maintain normal electrolyte levels. Apricots, bananas, and oranges are also sources of potassium, but a baked potato has a higher potassium content compared to the other options, making it a more effective choice for preventing digitalis toxicity.
The nurse is caring for a client with a nasogastric tube. Which of the following interventions is a priority to maintain client safety?
- A. Flush the tube with water every 4 hours
- B. Check the tube placement before each feeding
- C. Secure the tube to the client's nose with tape
- D. Keep the head of the bed elevated at 30 degrees
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verifying the correct placement of a nasogastric tube before each feeding is essential to prevent aspiration and ensure that the tube is properly positioned in the stomach or intestine. This action is a priority to maintain client safety. Flushing the tube with water every 4 hours is important for tube patency but is not the priority over verifying placement. Securing the tube with tape and keeping the head of the bed elevated are crucial but are considered secondary measures compared to confirming the correct tube placement.
A client with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine. What is the most important teaching point for the nurse to provide?
- A. Take the medication with food to avoid stomach upset.
- B. Take the medication at the same time every day to maintain consistent thyroid levels.
- C. Expect increased sensitivity to cold as a side effect of the medication.
- D. Increase the dosage of levothyroxine if symptoms worsen.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Levothyroxine should be taken at the same time every day to maintain stable thyroid hormone levels and ensure effective management of hypothyroidism. Consistent dosing is critical for preventing fluctuations in hormone levels. Choice A is incorrect because levothyroxine is usually recommended to be taken on an empty stomach for optimal absorption. Choice C is incorrect because increased sensitivity to cold is not a common side effect of levothyroxine. Choice D is incorrect because adjusting the dosage without healthcare provider guidance can be dangerous and should not be done independently.