A nurse is preparing to perform an abdominal assessment on a client. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Percuss the abdomen
- B. Inspect the abdomen
- C. Auscultate before palpation
- D. Palpate the abdomen
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to auscultate before palpation. This ensures that bowel sounds are not altered by physical manipulation. Inspecting the abdomen is a valid step but not the first. Percussing and palpating should come after auscultation to prevent altering bowel sounds or causing discomfort to the client.
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A nurse is performing a focused assessment on a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). What finding should the nurse expect?
- A. Increased breath sounds
- B. Flushed skin
- C. Nasal flaring
- D. Decreased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Flushed skin. Flushed skin is a common finding in clients with COPD who are experiencing dyspnea. Increased breath sounds (choice A) are not typically associated with COPD; they may indicate conditions like pneumonia. Nasal flaring (choice C) is more commonly seen in respiratory distress in pediatric patients. Decreased respiratory rate (choice D) is not a typical finding in COPD and could indicate respiratory depression.
A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a narcotic medication. What should the nurse do with the unused portion after administration?
- A. Store it in the medication cart for later use
- B. Discard it with a witness present
- C. Return it to the pharmacy
- D. Report it to the provider
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action for the nurse to take with the unused portion of a narcotic medication after administration is to discard it with a witness present. This procedure is necessary to comply with controlled substance regulations and prevent diversion or misuse of the medication. Storing it in the medication cart for later use is inappropriate as it can lead to unauthorized access. Returning it to the pharmacy is not recommended as the medication has already been dispensed. Reporting it to the provider is not the standard procedure for disposing of controlled substances.
A healthcare professional is teaching a group of assistive personnel about the expected integumentary changes in older adults. Which change should the healthcare professional include?
- A. Increase in skin turgor
- B. Increase in subcutaneous fat
- C. Decrease in moisture levels
- D. Increase in oil production
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Decrease in moisture levels. In older adults, there is a reduction in oil production, leading to decreased moisture levels in the skin. This change can result in dry skin and increased risk of skin issues. The other choices are incorrect because in older adults, skin turgor tends to decrease, subcutaneous fat may decrease, and oil production typically decreases rather than increases.
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication through a nasogastric (NG) tube. What action should the nurse take first?
- A. Flush the NG tube with 60 mL of water
- B. Verify tube placement
- C. Crush the medications and dissolve them in water
- D. Administer all medications together
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Verifying tube placement is the priority before administering any medications through a nasogastric tube. This step ensures that the tube is correctly positioned in the stomach to prevent complications such as aspiration. Flushing the tube with water, crushing medications, or administering them together should only be done after confirming the correct placement of the NG tube. Therefore, option B is the correct first action to take in this scenario.
A nurse is caring for a client who reports a decrease in the effectiveness of their arthritis medication. What factor should the nurse identify as contributing to this decrease?
- A. Improved mobility
- B. Bowel inflammation
- C. Long-term use of the medication
- D. Frequent dehydration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bowel inflammation. Bowel inflammation can decrease the absorption of medications, reducing their effectiveness. Improved mobility (choice A) would generally not contribute to a decrease in medication effectiveness. Long-term use of the medication (choice C) may lead to tolerance but would not directly cause a decrease in effectiveness. Frequent dehydration (choice D) can affect overall health but is not a direct factor in the medication's effectiveness for arthritis.
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