A nurse is working in a busy medical-surgical unit and has received report on the following four clients. The nurse should first see the client with
- A. A client who underwent surgery yesterday and is complaining of incisional pain at a level of 8/10
- B. new-onset atrial fibrillation who is complaining of chest pain.
- C. diabetes who has a foot wound that appears infected and an oral temperature of 100.4°F (38°C)
- D. advanced Alzheimer's disease who is confused and has had a recent fall.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: New-onset atrial fibrillation with chest pain (B) suggests possible cardiac ischemia, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate assessment. Severe pain (A), infected foot wound (C), and confusion post-fall (D) are urgent but less immediately life-threatening.
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The nurse is caring for the following assigned clients. It would be a priority to follow up with a client who
- A. has atrial fibrillation and a heart rate of 112/minute.
- B. has glomerulonephritis with a blood pressure of 137/86 mm Hg.
- C. is receiving amphotericin B, and the most recent temperature is 100.4°F (38°C).
- D. has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an oxygen saturation of 91% on room air.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Atrial fibrillation with a heart rate of 112/minute (A) indicates a rapid ventricular response, risking hemodynamic instability or stroke, requiring immediate rate control. Glomerulonephritis with normal BP (B), mild fever with amphotericin (C), and COPD with 91% saturation (D) are less urgent, as they are stable or expected.
The registered nurse (RN) observes licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VN) care for assigned clients. Which of the following actions by the LPN would require the RN to intervene? Select all that apply.
- A. Irrigates an indwelling catheter with warm tap water.
- B. Administers glargine insulin for a client with nothing by mouth (NPO) status.
- C. Obtains a 12-lead electrocardiogram for a client with hyperkalemia.
- D. Clamps a chest tube while the client ambulates.
- E. Repositions a client who requires log rolling by using a gait belt.
Correct Answer: A, B, D, E
Rationale: Irrigating with tap water (A) risks infection, insulin for NPO client (B) risks hypoglycemia without RN assessment, clamping a chest tube (D) risks pneumothorax, and using a gait belt for log rolling (E) is incorrect technique. ECG (C) is within LPN scope.
The nurse working in the emergency department is caring for a client with carbon monoxide poisoning. Which of the following would be the priority action to treat this condition?
- A. Initiate continuous pulse oximetry monitoring
- B. Administer high-flow oxygen
- C. Insert a peripheral vascular access device
- D. Obtain a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: High-flow oxygen (B) is the priority for carbon monoxide poisoning to displace CO from hemoglobin, per ACLS guidelines. Pulse oximetry (A) is unreliable in CO poisoning, IV access (C) and ECG (D) are secondary to oxygenation.
The nurse manager plans to reduce supply-related costs within the nursing unit. While evaluating nursing staff, which observation demonstrates an ineffective use of resources? Select all that apply.
- A. Gloves being worn to pass out meal trays
- B. Sterile water used to irrigate nasogastric tubes
- C. Dedicated blood pressure cuffs for clients with contact precautions
- D. Sterile gloves used to provide perineal care during bed baths
- E. New intravenous (IV) tubing with each bag of total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
Correct Answer: A, D
Rationale: Wearing gloves for meal tray distribution (A) and sterile gloves for perineal care (D) are excessive, as non-sterile gloves suffice, wasting resources. Sterile water for NG irrigation (B), dedicated cuffs for precautions (C), and new IV tubing for TPN (E) are appropriate practices.
The nurse is participating in a committee with the objective of promoting healthcare justice in the community. Which of the following recommendations should the nurse make to achieve the goal?
- A. establishing interdisciplinary collaboration between nursing and nutritional services
- B. providing more confidential waste containers at local drug stores
- C. offering free telehealth offerings in underserved areas of the community
- D. offering inpatient clients the ability to select their meal times
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Free telehealth in underserved areas (C) promotes healthcare justice by improving access for disadvantaged populations. Interdisciplinary collaboration (A), waste containers (B), and meal time selection (D) are beneficial but less directly address equitable access.
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