A nurse is planning the assignments for the shift. Which task should the nurse assign to the nursing assistant?
- A. Monitoring the vital signs for a client who needs a blood transfusion
- B. Performing hygiene for a client with diarrhea on whom contact precautions have been imposed
- C. Performing a dressing change on a client with a draining abdominal wound that requires frequent dressing changes
- D. Ambulating a client with angina who needs to be ambulated for the first time since admission
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When assigning tasks, a nurse should consider the job description of the nursing assistant, their clinical competence, and state law. Monitoring vital signs for a client needing a blood transfusion, performing a dressing change on a client with a draining wound, and ambulating a client with angina are tasks that require a licensed nurse's skill. On the other hand, providing hygiene care for a client with diarrhea under contact precautions is a task suitable for a nursing assistant. Nursing assistants are trained to provide hygiene care effectively and manage clients under specific precautions, making this task appropriate for them.
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A nurse is assisting with data collection of a client who has sustained circumferential burns of both legs. What should the nurse examine first?
- A. Heart rate
- B. Peripheral pulses
- C. Blood pressure (BP)
- D. Radial pulse rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The priority assessment for a client with circumferential burns to the legs is to examine peripheral pulses. This is essential to ensure adequate circulation to the extremities. Circumferential burns can lead to compartment syndrome, causing decreased circulation to the affected limbs. Checking peripheral pulses is crucial to monitor for any signs of compromised circulation. While heart rate and blood pressure are important assessments in general, in the context of circumferential burns, the immediate concern is the risk of impaired circulation to the extremities. Therefore, assessing peripheral pulses takes precedence in this situation.
A licensed practical nurse arrives at work at the long-term care center and is immediately faced with several activities that require attention. Which activity will the nurse attend to first?
- A. Task assignments for the day
- B. Stocking the medication closet
- C. A phone message from employee health services
- D. A phone message from a client's wife
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse's priority should be attending to task assignments for the day. This ensures that client care can begin promptly and efficiently. Stocking the medication closet is important but can be done after ensuring task assignments are clear. Phone messages from employee health services and a client's wife, although important, can be addressed after organizing the staff for client care.
A client admitted to the hospital has a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order in his medical record. The nurse understands which information about DNR orders?
- A. The only individuals who may change the DNR order are healthcare providers
- B. The DNR order can be changed if the client's condition warrants it
- C. The DNR order does not remain fixed for the duration of the client's hospitalization
- D. The DNR order requires frequent review as specified by state or agency policy
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is that the DNR order requires frequent review as specified by state or agency policy. If the client's condition changes, the DNR order may need to be changed. For this reason, DNR orders require frequent review as specified by state or agency policy. A DNR order may be changed at any time and does not remain in effect for the duration of the client's hospitalization. The client's request regarding DNR status is the priority. Choice A is incorrect because healthcare providers, not just immediate family members, may change the DNR order based on the client's condition. Choice B is incorrect as DNR orders can be changed if the client's condition warrants it, not remaining unchanged. Choice C is incorrect as DNR orders are not fixed for the duration of hospitalization, they can be modified based on the client's needs.
A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client via a nasogastric (NG) tube. Before administering the medication, the nurse must first take which action?
- A. Check the client's apical pulse
- B. Check when the last feeding was given
- C. Check the placement of the tube
- D. Check when the last medications were given
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Before administering medications through an NG tube, the nurse must first check the placement of the tube to prevent aspiration. This is done by aspirating gastric contents and measuring the pH. Checking the client's apical pulse is unrelated to NG tube medication administration. Checking when the last feeding was given is important but not a priority before administering medications. Checking when the last medications were given is also not directly related to ensuring the safe administration of medications through an NG tube. Ensuring the correct placement of the tube is crucial to prevent complications such as pulmonary aspiration.
A nurse in charge of a long-term care facility who is working with a nursing assistant on the night shift prepares to take a break. To ensure client safety during the break, which actions should the nurse take? Select all that apply.
- A. Asking the nursing assistant to contact the health care provider during the nurse’s break if a client’s pain medication is not effective
- B. Informing the nursing assistant that she is leaving the nursing unit to get a cup of coffee from a vending machine in the lobby
- C. Asking the nursing assistant to administer a medication placed at the client's bedside if the client awakens
- D. Conducting client rounds before taking the break
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse is responsible for ensuring client safety at all times and must not leave the nursing unit for any reason during the shift. The nurse’s break should be taken in a designated area located on the nursing unit. Before taking the break, the nurse should check all clients to ensure that they are safe and comfortable and that their needs have been met. Conducting client rounds before taking the break is crucial to assess the clients' conditions and address any immediate needs, ensuring their safety. Asking the nursing assistant to contact the health care provider during the nurse’s break is not appropriate as the nurse should handle this responsibility. Leaving the nursing unit to get coffee is not recommended as the nurse should stay within the unit to respond promptly to any client needs. Asking the nursing assistant to administer medication or make clinical decisions is outside the scope of their practice and should not be delegated.