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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 nurse suspects a colleague of diverting narcotics. What is the nurse's first course of action?
- A. Confront the colleague directly about the suspicion.
- B. Report the suspicion to the nurse manager.
- C. Ignore the situation unless there is clear evidence.
- D. Keep a record of the colleague's actions for future reference.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct first course of action for a nurse suspecting a colleague of diverting narcotics is to report the suspicion to the nurse manager. Confronting the colleague directly may not be safe and could compromise the investigation. Ignoring the situation is not appropriate as it can pose risks to patient safety. Keeping a record of the colleague's actions is not the primary action to take when drug diversion is suspected; reporting to the nurse manager is crucial for proper investigation and ensuring patient safety.
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.
When administering IV fluids to a dehydrated patient, what is the nurse's priority assessment?
- A. Monitor the patient's electrolyte levels.
- B. Assess the patient's blood pressure regularly.
- C. Monitor the patient's heart rate every 4 hours.
- D. Check the patient's urine output hourly.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to assess the patient's blood pressure regularly. Monitoring blood pressure is crucial when administering IV fluids to a dehydrated patient as it helps in evaluating the patient's fluid status. Changes in blood pressure can indicate the effectiveness of the fluid therapy, the patient's response to treatment, and the possibility of complications such as fluid overload or hypovolemia. Monitoring electrolyte levels (Choice A) is essential but not the priority when assessing a dehydrated patient receiving IV fluids. Heart rate (Choice C) should be monitored more frequently than every 4 hours in such a situation. Checking urine output (Choice D) is important but not as critical as assessing blood pressure in this scenario.
The nurse is caring for a patient on contact precautions. Which action will be most appropriate to prevent the spread of disease?
- A. Wear a gown, gloves, face mask, and goggles for interactions with the patient.
- B. Transport the patient safely and quickly when going to the radiology department.
- C. Place the patient in a room with negative airflow.
- D. Use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to use a dedicated blood pressure cuff that stays in the room and is used for that patient only. Patients on contact precautions require dedicated equipment to prevent the spread of disease. Using one blood pressure cuff exclusively for the patient on contact precautions helps minimize the risk of transmitting infections to other patients. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because while wearing protective gear and isolating the patient in a room with negative airflow are important infection control measures, using dedicated equipment for the patient on contact precautions is specifically recommended to prevent the spread of disease in this scenario.
What is the most appropriate action for handling hazardous drugs?
- A. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling.
- B. Store the drugs according to manufacturer instructions.
- C. Discard unused drugs in regular trash.
- D. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling hazardous drugs.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The most appropriate action when handling hazardous drugs is to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect oneself from exposure to the harmful substances. Gloves and handwashing are important but may not provide sufficient protection from hazardous drugs. Storing drugs correctly and disposing of unused drugs properly are also essential, but the primary focus should be on using PPE to prevent exposure.