A patient is at risk for impaired skin integrity. What is the priority intervention for the nurse?
- A. Turn and reposition the patient every 2 hours.
- B. Apply a moisture barrier to the patient's skin.
- C. Massage the patient's skin to promote circulation.
- D. Apply a heating pad to the patient's skin to increase blood flow.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to turn and reposition the patient every 2 hours. This intervention is crucial in preventing pressure ulcers and maintaining skin integrity by relieving pressure on bony prominences. Applying a moisture barrier (Choice B) is important for moisture-associated skin damage but is not the priority in this case. Massaging the patient's skin (Choice C) can potentially cause friction and shear, increasing the risk of skin breakdown. Applying a heating pad (Choice D) can lead to burns or thermal injuries, exacerbating skin integrity issues.
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A patient reports feeling dizzy when standing up. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
- B. Assist the patient to sit down slowly.
- C. Instruct the patient to use a walker for support.
- D. Teach the patient how to change positions safely.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to assist the patient to sit down slowly. This intervention is appropriate for a patient experiencing dizziness when standing up, as it helps prevent falls due to orthostatic hypotension. Encouraging deep breaths (Choice A) may not address the underlying cause of dizziness, which is related to postural changes. Instructing the patient to use a walker for support (Choice C) or teaching the patient how to change positions safely (Choice D) are not the most immediate and direct interventions to address the immediate risk of falling when feeling dizzy upon standing.
If a nurse is uncomfortable documenting a verbal prescription, what should the nurse do?
- A. Document the prescription without seeking clarification.
- B. Clarify the verbal prescription with the healthcare provider.
- C. Refuse to document the prescription.
- D. Speak with the client's family to clarify the situation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: When a nurse is uncomfortable documenting a verbal prescription, the best course of action is to clarify the prescription with the healthcare provider. This is crucial to ensure that the information is accurate and to provide safe and appropriate care. Option A is incorrect because blindly documenting without seeking clarification can lead to errors. Option C is incorrect as refusing to document the prescription altogether is not in the best interest of the patient. Option D is also incorrect as speaking with the client's family is not the appropriate step to clarify a verbal prescription; the healthcare provider should be the primary source for this clarification.
When providing discharge instructions for a patient with diabetes, what is the most important information to include?
- A. Encourage the patient to maintain a high-carbohydrate diet.
- B. Teach the patient how to monitor their blood sugar levels.
- C. Recommend the patient engage in regular exercise.
- D. Provide the patient with a list of restricted foods.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most critical information to include when providing discharge instructions for a patient with diabetes is teaching them how to monitor their blood sugar levels. This empowers the patient to actively manage their condition, make informed decisions about their diet and medication, and prevent complications. Encouraging a high-carbohydrate diet (Choice A) can be detrimental for diabetic patients as it may lead to unstable blood sugar levels. While regular exercise (Choice C) is important in diabetes management, monitoring blood sugar levels takes precedence. Providing a list of restricted foods (Choice D) is relevant but not as crucial as teaching the patient how to monitor their blood sugar levels.
What is the primary purpose of turning and repositioning an immobile patient every 2 hours?
- A. To improve circulation and relieve pressure.
- B. To prevent contractures and muscle atrophy.
- C. To prevent skin breakdown and pressure ulcers.
- D. To improve respiratory function and prevent pneumonia.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The primary purpose of turning and repositioning an immobile patient every 2 hours is to prevent skin breakdown and pressure ulcers. Prolonged immobility can lead to pressure ulcers, making this a crucial nursing intervention. Choice A is incorrect because while turning can help improve circulation and relieve pressure, the primary purpose is to prevent skin breakdown. Choice B is incorrect as preventing contractures and muscle atrophy is important but not the primary purpose of turning. Choice D is incorrect as improving respiratory function and preventing pneumonia are not directly related to turning and repositioning for skin integrity.
What should be done to ensure safety during the transfer of a patient with limited mobility?
- A. Have the patient use a gait belt for support.
- B. Encourage the patient to hold onto a walker.
- C. Lock the wheels on the bed and wheelchair.
- D. Ask the patient to transfer independently.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is to lock the wheels on the bed and wheelchair. This action helps prevent accidents by stabilizing the equipment during the transfer process. Having the patient use a gait belt for support (choice A) can be helpful but is not directly related to equipment safety. Encouraging the patient to hold onto a walker (choice B) is beneficial for ambulation but does not address the safety of equipment. Asking the patient to transfer independently (choice D) can pose risks, especially for a patient with limited mobility, and may not ensure safety during the transfer.