The nurse is preparing for a dressing change on a full thickness burn to the flank area. The orders include irrigating the wound with each dressing change. To irrigate the wound, what will the nurse use?
- A. Sterile saline
- B. Distilled water
- C. Betadine scrub
- D. Tap water
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When irrigating a wound, especially in the case of a full-thickness burn, it is crucial to use a solution that is gentle and non-irritating to the tissues. Sterile saline is the preferred choice for wound irrigation as it is isotonic and does not cause additional damage to the already compromised tissue. Distilled water lacks the electrolytes present in saline, Betadine scrub is not used for irrigation due to its potential to be cytotoxic, and tap water may introduce contaminants and microorganisms to the wound.
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A client with sleep apnea has been ordered a CPAP machine. Which action could the RN delegate to a nursing assistant?
- A. Reminding the client to apply the CPAP at bedtime
- B. Obtaining every three-hour oxygen saturation levels
- C. Teaching the client how to turn on the CPAP machine
- D. Assessing for fatigue or depression caused by poor sleep
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is reminding the client to apply the CPAP at bedtime. This task can be safely delegated to a nursing assistant as it involves a simple and routine reminder. Option B, obtaining oxygen saturation levels, requires a higher level of training and interpretation of results, making it more appropriate for an RN. Option C, teaching the client how to turn on the CPAP machine, involves educating the client and ensuring proper use of medical equipment, which is within the RN's scope of practice. Option D, assessing for fatigue or depression, requires a comprehensive evaluation that involves interpreting symptoms and identifying underlying causes, making it more suitable for an RN to address.
A woman is in the active phase of labor. An external monitor has been applied, and a fetal heart deceleration of uniform shape is observed, beginning just as the contraction is underway and returning to the baseline at the end of the contraction. Which of the following nursing actions is most appropriate?
- A. Administer O2.
- B. Turn the client on her left side.
- C. Notify the physician.
- D. No action is necessary
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This scenario describes early deceleration due to head compression, which is a benign finding in labor. Early decelerations mirror the contractions and do not require any intervention as they are considered a normal response to fetal head compression. The fetal heart rate returns to baseline at the end of the contraction. In this case, the correct action is no action at the moment. Close monitoring of the mother and baby is essential, but immediate intervention is not required. Administering O2 (Choice A) or turning the client on her left side (Choice B) is not indicated for early decelerations. Notifying the physician (Choice C) is unnecessary for this type of deceleration.
Which of the following individuals is at the highest risk for suicide?
- A. 76-year-old widow with chronic renal failure
- B. 19-year-old with new SSRI therapy
- C. 28-year-old post-partum crying weekly
- D. 50-year-old client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is the 76-year-old widow with chronic renal failure. Elderly individuals with chronic diseases, especially men, are at very high risk for suicide. The other choices, although they may be vulnerable populations, do not carry as high a risk for suicide. The 19-year-old with new SSRI therapy may actually have a lower risk as they are receiving treatment. The 28-year-old post-partum individual is experiencing a common emotional response after childbirth, which is not necessarily indicative of a high suicide risk. The 50-year-old with OCD and depression is at risk but not as high as elderly individuals with chronic illness.
The power a healthcare professional exerts when working to accomplish goals and effect change in an agency or policy is considered what type of power?
- A. political
- B. personal
- C. positional
- D. professional
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Political power is the correct answer in this scenario. It stems from the ability to navigate systems, agencies, or policies to bring about change. Personal power is related to charisma and self-confidence in informal leadership roles. Positional power comes from holding a specific authority in a formal position. Professional power is derived from expertise in a particular area of practice. Therefore, in the context of effecting change in an agency or policy, political power is the most relevant type of power.
The client with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is asking for help with the repetitive behaviors. The nurse knows that these are a method of dealing with:
- A. Fearful situations
- B. Depression
- C. Delusions
- D. Anxiety
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Anxiety. Repetitive behaviors in OCD serve as a way for individuals to cope with their anxiety. These behaviors are often performed to reduce the distress caused by obsessive thoughts. Choice A, fearful situations, is incorrect because the behaviors are more related to managing anxiety rather than fear itself. Choice B, depression, is incorrect as OCD behaviors are not typically a method of coping with depression. Choice C, delusions, is also incorrect as these behaviors are not aimed at managing delusional thoughts but rather anxiety in OCD.