A patient is experiencing shortness of breath. What is the nurse's immediate action?
- A. Assist the patient into a high Fowler's position.
- B. Administer oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula.
- C. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and cough.
- D. Assess the patient's lung sounds.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering oxygen at 2 liters per minute via nasal cannula is the immediate action for a patient experiencing shortness of breath. This intervention helps to improve oxygenation and relieve respiratory distress promptly. Placing the patient in a high Fowler's position (choice A) may also be beneficial but providing oxygen takes precedence in this scenario to address the underlying hypoxemia. Encouraging deep breaths and coughing (choice C) may not be appropriate as the first action, especially without assessing the patient first. Assessing lung sounds (choice D) is essential but should follow the initial intervention of administering oxygen.
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A nurse notices that a colleague has an odor of alcohol while on duty. What is the most appropriate action?
- A. Speak to the colleague in private.
- B. Report the behavior to the nurse manager immediately.
- C. Confront the colleague directly on the floor.
- D. Do nothing and document the situation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Reporting the behavior to the nurse manager immediately is the most appropriate action when a nurse suspects a colleague of being impaired while on duty. This is crucial to ensure patient safety and maintain a professional and safe work environment. Speaking to the colleague in private may not address the issue effectively and could potentially put patients at risk if the colleague is indeed impaired. Confronting the colleague directly on the floor may lead to a confrontation and is not the most professional way to handle the situation. Doing nothing and documenting the situation without taking immediate action can jeopardize patient safety and is not an appropriate response when substance use is suspected.
A nurse is caring for a client with a new colostomy. What is the nurse's responsibility regarding stoma care?
- A. Educate the client on how to care for the stoma independently.
- B. Contact the stoma nurse to assist the client with care.
- C. Delegate the care of the stoma to a nursing assistant.
- D. Wait until the next shift to address the stoma care.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to contact the stoma nurse to assist the client with care. Stoma nurses are specially trained to provide guidance on stoma care, especially for clients with new ostomies. Instructing the client to care for the stoma independently (Choice A) may not be appropriate initially as they may need professional guidance. Delegating the care of the stoma to a nursing assistant (Choice C) is not recommended as specialized care is required. Waiting until the next shift (Choice D) is not ideal as stoma care should not be delayed.
The emergency department has been notified of a potential bioterrorism attack. Which action by the nurse is priority?
- A. Prepare for potential posttraumatic stress related to this bioterrorism attack.
- B. Transport patients quickly and efficiently through the elevators.
- C. Monitor for specific symptoms related to the bioterrorism attack.
- D. Manage all patients using standard precautions.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: During a potential bioterrorism attack, the priority for the nurse is to manage all patients using standard precautions. This approach ensures the safety of both patients and healthcare providers by preventing the spread of potential bioterrorism-related illnesses. Option A is incorrect because managing patient care and safety through standard precautions takes precedence. Option B is incorrect as patient transport should also be done while adhering to infection control measures. Option C is incorrect as monitoring for specific symptoms is important but not the priority when all patients need to be managed with standard precautions.
A healthcare professional is assessing a patient's fluid balance. What is the most reliable indicator of fluid status?
- A. Monitor the patient's vital signs.
- B. Check the patient's weight daily.
- C. Measure the patient's intake and output.
- D. Monitor the patient's urine color.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the patient's weight daily is the most reliable indicator of fluid status because weight changes can directly reflect fluid retention or loss. Monitoring vital signs (Choice A) can provide some information but is not as specific as weight changes. Measuring intake and output (Choice C) is crucial but may not always accurately reflect fluid balance. Monitoring urine color (Choice D) can give some insights into hydration levels, but it is not as reliable as daily weight checks for assessing overall fluid status.
A healthcare professional is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the most important action to prevent infection?
- A. Use sterile gloves during the procedure.
- B. Clean the catheter insertion site with alcohol.
- C. Insert the catheter as quickly as possible.
- D. Use a smaller catheter size to minimize trauma.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Using sterile gloves during catheter insertion is crucial to prevent infection. Sterile gloves help maintain asepsis during the procedure, reducing the risk of introducing microorganisms into the urinary tract. Cleaning the insertion site with alcohol, as mentioned in choice B, is important but not as critical as using sterile gloves. Choice C, inserting the catheter as quickly as possible, is not recommended as it can lead to errors and increase the risk of contamination. Choice D, using a smaller catheter size to minimize trauma, is not directly related to preventing infection but rather focuses on patient comfort and reducing tissue damage.
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