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A nurse is caring for a patient who has just returned from surgery. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Monitor the patient's pain level.
- B. Assess the patient's vital signs.
- C. Assess the surgical incision site.
- D. Position the patient in a high Fowler's position.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Assess the patient's vital signs. Assessing vital signs is crucial as it helps to detect any early signs of complications such as bleeding, shock, or changes in oxygenation. Monitoring the patient's pain level (Choice A) is important but assessing vital signs takes precedence. While assessing the surgical incision site (Choice C) is essential, ensuring the patient's physiological stability through vital sign assessment is the priority. Positioning the patient in a high Fowler's position (Choice D) may be necessary for comfort but does not address the immediate need to assess the patient's condition post-surgery.
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A family was referred to crisis intervention services after a natural disaster. One family member refuses to attend, stating, 'No way, I'm not crazy.' What is the nurse's best response?
- A. Don't worry now. The psychiatrists are well trained to help.
- B. Many times, disasters can create mental health problems, so you really should participate with your family.
- C. This will help your family communicate better.
- D. Seeking this kind of help does not mean that you have a mental illness; it is a short-term problem-solving technique.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should reassure the family member that seeking help does not imply mental illness, but is part of coping with the disaster.
A client with a history of falls is being admitted to the unit. What intervention should the nurse implement first?
- A. Increase the client's medication to ensure they don't fall.
- B. Use bed alarms to monitor the client's movements.
- C. Encourage the client to use a walker for mobility.
- D. Assign the client to a nursing assistant for supervision.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 'Use bed alarms to monitor the client's movements.' When a client with a history of falls is admitted, the nurse's initial intervention should focus on fall prevention measures. Using bed alarms to monitor the client's movements can help alert the healthcare team if the client attempts to get out of bed and reduce the risk of falls. Choice A is incorrect because increasing medication should not be the first intervention as it may not address the underlying causes of falls and can have adverse effects. Choice C may be appropriate but is not the priority over implementing safety measures like bed alarms. Choice D is incorrect as assigning the client to a nursing assistant for supervision alone may not be as effective as utilizing bed alarms for continuous monitoring.
A nurse discovers a discrepancy in the narcotics log. What is the appropriate next step?
- A. Correct the log and notify the pharmacy.
- B. Report the discrepancy to the nurse manager.
- C. Re-administer the narcotic.
- D. Dispose of the narcotic and note the discrepancy.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse discovers a discrepancy in the narcotics log, the appropriate next step is to report the discrepancy to the nurse manager. This is important to ensure that the issue is properly investigated and addressed. Choice A is incorrect because simply correcting the log and notifying the pharmacy may not address the root cause of the discrepancy. Choice C is incorrect as re-administering the narcotic without clarification could lead to potential harm or legal issues. Choice D is incorrect as disposing of the narcotic without following proper protocols and documentation could result in further complications.
A nurse is preparing a client for surgery. The client refuses to remove a religious medal. What is the nurse's best response?
- A. Ask the family to remove the medal
- B. Place the medal in a safe place for the client
- C. Allow the client to keep the medal during surgery
- D. Inform the client that the medal must be removed
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to allow the client to keep the medal during surgery. Clients may retain religious medals or jewelry during surgery if it does not interfere with the procedure. Asking the family to remove the medal (Choice A) may not be respecting the client's wishes. Placing the medal in a safe place for the client (Choice B) may cause distress to the client who wants to keep it. Informing the client that the medal must be removed (Choice D) disregards the client's beliefs and preferences.
A healthcare professional suspects a colleague of diverting narcotics. What is the first step the healthcare professional should take?
- A. Confront the colleague directly
- B. Report the suspicion to the supervisor
- C. Ignore the issue and continue working
- D. Notify the pharmacy about the colleague's behavior
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct first step for a healthcare professional who suspects a colleague of diverting narcotics is to report the suspicion to the supervisor. This action is essential to protect patient safety, uphold ethical standards, and comply with legal obligations. Confronting the colleague directly may not only escalate the situation but also jeopardize the investigation process. Ignoring the issue and continuing to work could potentially harm patients and violate professional responsibilities. Notifying the pharmacy, while important, should come after informing the appropriate supervisor or authority within the healthcare facility.