A healthcare professional is assessing a patient's fluid balance. What is the most reliable indicator of fluid status?
- A. Monitor the patient's vital signs.
- B. Check the patient's weight daily.
- C. Measure the patient's intake and output.
- D. Monitor the patient's urine color.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the patient's weight daily is the most reliable indicator of fluid status because weight changes can directly reflect fluid retention or loss. Monitoring vital signs (Choice A) can provide some information but is not as specific as weight changes. Measuring intake and output (Choice C) is crucial but may not always accurately reflect fluid balance. Monitoring urine color (Choice D) can give some insights into hydration levels, but it is not as reliable as daily weight checks for assessing overall fluid status.
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A patient is experiencing shortness of breath. What is the nurse's immediate action?
- A. Assist the patient into a high Fowler's position.
- B. Administer oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula.
- C. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and cough.
- D. Assess the patient's lung sounds.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula is the immediate action for a patient experiencing shortness of breath. This intervention helps to improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress promptly. Placing the patient in a high Fowler's position (choice A) may also be beneficial but providing oxygen takes precedence in this scenario to address the underlying hypoxemia. Encouraging deep breaths and coughing (choice C) may not be appropriate as the first action, especially without assessing the patient first. Assessing lung sounds (choice D) is essential but should follow the initial intervention of administering oxygen.
A patient is admitted and is placed on fall precautions. The nurse teaches the patient and family about fall precautions. Which action will the nurse take in accordance with hospital policy?
- A. Encourage visitors during visiting hours.
- B. Keep the patient on fall precautions until discharge.
- C. Check on the patient every shift.
- D. Raise all four side rails.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because patients on fall precautions need continuous monitoring until discharge to prevent falls. While encouraging visitors during visiting hours (Choice A) is important for the patient's well-being, it is not related to fall precautions. Checking on the patient every shift (Choice C) is an essential nursing intervention, but keeping the patient on fall precautions is more specific to preventing falls. Raising all four side rails (Choice D) is not recommended as it can restrict the patient's mobility and is considered a restraint practice.
A healthcare provider prescribes a higher-than-usual dose of medication. What is the nurse's first action?
- A. Administer the medication and monitor closely.
- B. Hold the medication and consult the pharmacist.
- C. Ask another nurse to verify the dose.
- D. Call the provider for clarification.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to call the provider for clarification. When faced with a higher-than-usual dose of medication, the nurse's first action should be to contact the prescribing healthcare provider to confirm the dosage. Administering the medication without clarifying the dose with the provider can pose serious risks to the patient's safety. Holding the medication and consulting the pharmacist may be appropriate after contacting the provider for clarification. Asking another nurse to verify the dose is not the most appropriate action when dealing with an unusual prescription; direct communication with the provider is essential in such situations.
A patient is admitted with suspected pneumonia. What is the nurse's priority assessment?
- A. Auscultate the patient's lung sounds.
- B. Assess the patient's oxygen saturation.
- C. Monitor the patient's white blood cell count.
- D. Monitor the patient's skin integrity.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient's oxygen saturation. In suspected pneumonia, ensuring adequate oxygenation is critical to monitor respiratory function. Auscultating lung sounds is important but assessing oxygen saturation takes precedence as it directly reflects the patient's oxygen levels. Monitoring white blood cell count is more related to infection assessment rather than immediate respiratory status. Checking skin integrity is essential for overall patient care but is not the priority in a patient with suspected pneumonia.
A client expresses concern about hair loss during chemotherapy. What should the nurse suggest?
- A. Encourage the client to cut their hair short before chemotherapy begins.
- B. Offer resources for wigs and head coverings.
- C. Assure the client that hair loss will be minimal.
- D. Ignore the client's concerns about hair loss.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During chemotherapy, hair loss is a common side effect. Offering resources for wigs and head coverings can help the client cope with this change in appearance, maintain self-esteem, and feel more comfortable during the process. Encouraging the client to cut their hair short does not address the emotional impact of hair loss and may not be the client's preference. Assuring the client that hair loss will be minimal may provide false hope as significant hair loss is a common occurrence. Ignoring the client's concerns is not appropriate and goes against the principles of providing holistic and compassionate care.
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