A patient is receiving enteral feedings through a nasogastric (NG) tube. What is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
- A. Flush the NG tube with water before and after each feeding.
- B. Check the placement of the NG tube before each feeding.
- C. Administer medications through the NG tube every 4 hours.
- D. Increase the feeding rate if the patient is tolerating well.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Checking the placement of the NG tube before each feeding is crucial as it ensures the tube is correctly positioned, reducing the risk of complications such as aspiration or improper delivery of feedings. Flushing the NG tube with water before and after each feeding can disrupt the feeding schedule and is not a standard procedure. Administering medications through the NG tube every 4 hours may not be necessary for all patients and should be based on specific medication requirements. Increasing the feeding rate without proper assessment and monitoring can lead to feeding intolerance or complications, making it an inappropriate intervention.
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A client who is 97 years old has successfully been treated for heart failure and is found not breathing. There is no DNR order in place. What should the nurse do?
- A. Notify the family and await further instructions.
- B. Initiate CPR and call for emergency assistance.
- C. Allow the family to make decisions about care.
- D. Follow the family's wishes and perform no interventions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this scenario, with no DNR order in place and the client not breathing, the nurse should initiate CPR and call for emergency assistance. Option A is incorrect as immediate action is required in the absence of breathing. Option C is incorrect as the nurse should act promptly to provide life-saving measures. Option D is incorrect because the nurse's primary duty is to provide care in the absence of a directive preventing intervention.
Which intervention is most effective in managing a patient with chronic pain?
- A. Administer opioid medications as prescribed.
- B. Teach the patient relaxation techniques.
- C. Encourage the patient to perform range of motion exercises.
- D. Recommend complete bed rest to minimize pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most effective intervention in managing a patient with chronic pain is teaching the patient relaxation techniques. Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress, decrease muscle tension, and improve pain management in patients with chronic pain. Administering opioids as prescribed may have risks of dependence and side effects, making it less favorable as a first-line intervention. Encouraging range of motion exercises can be beneficial, but relaxation techniques directly target stress reduction, a common exacerbating factor in chronic pain. Recommending complete bed rest is generally discouraged in chronic pain management as it can lead to deconditioning and worsen pain over time.
The nurse is caring for a group of medical-surgical patients. A fire has been reported in an adjacent wing of the hospital. What should the nurse do to ensure the patients' safety?
- A. Wait until the fire department arrives before taking action.
- B. Close all doors.
- C. Identify evacuation routes.
- D. Move bedridden patients in their beds.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: During a fire emergency, it is crucial to close all doors to contain smoke and fire, helping to protect the patients. This action can prevent the spread of fire and smoke to the area where patients are located. Identifying evacuation routes is also important for a timely and orderly evacuation if necessary. Waiting for the fire department to arrive before taking action (Choice A) can waste valuable time and put patients at risk. Moving bedridden patients in their beds (Choice D) can be dangerous during a fire and should be avoided as it can expose patients and staff to more risks.
A patient with a urinary catheter reports discomfort. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Ensure the catheter tubing is not kinked.
- B. Irrigate the catheter to relieve the discomfort.
- C. Change the catheter to a smaller size.
- D. Remove the catheter and replace it with a new one.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to ensure the catheter tubing is not kinked. This is the priority action because a kinked tubing can obstruct urine flow, leading to discomfort and potential complications. It is essential to troubleshoot the current catheter first before considering other interventions. Irrigating the catheter (Choice B) may not address the underlying issue of kinking. Changing the catheter to a smaller size (Choice C) or removing and replacing it with a new one (Choice D) should only be considered if ensuring the tubing is unkinked does not resolve the discomfort.
A patient has difficulty ambulating after surgery. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Encourage deep breathing exercises.
- B. Assist the patient in ambulating a short distance.
- C. Call for assistance with ambulation.
- D. Assess the patient's pain level before ambulation.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when a patient has difficulty ambulating after surgery is to call for assistance with ambulation. This is essential to ensure the safety of the patient and prevent any potential falls or injuries. Encouraging deep breathing exercises (Choice A) may be beneficial but should not be the first priority when the patient is having difficulty walking. Assisting the patient in ambulating a short distance (Choice B) may put both the patient and the nurse at risk if the patient is struggling. Assessing the patient's pain level before ambulation (Choice D) is important but should come after ensuring that the patient can safely ambulate with assistance.