A patient recovering from a stroke has difficulty swallowing. Which action should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Begin feeding the patient soft solids.
- B. Place the patient on NPO (nothing by mouth) status.
- C. Provide ice chips to help soothe the throat.
- D. Start the patient on a clear liquid diet.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to place the patient on NPO (nothing by mouth) status. Patients recovering from a stroke with difficulty swallowing are at high risk for aspiration, which can lead to serious complications like aspiration pneumonia. Therefore, the priority is to keep the patient on NPO until a thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider is completed. Choice A is incorrect as feeding the patient soft solids can increase the risk of aspiration. Choice C is incorrect as providing ice chips may further compromise swallowing safety. Choice D is incorrect as starting the patient on a clear liquid diet can also increase the risk of aspiration in this scenario.
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A client is preparing for a surgical procedure but refuses to remove religious jewelry. What is the best course of action?
- A. Proceed with surgery and document the refusal.
- B. Ask the client for permission to secure the jewelry.
- C. Remove the jewelry and store it safely.
- D. Postpone the surgery until the jewelry is removed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The best course of action is to ask the client for permission to secure the jewelry. This respects the client's religious beliefs while also ensuring that the jewelry does not interfere during the surgical procedure. Proceeding with surgery without addressing the presence of the jewelry can lead to complications or distress for the client. Removing the jewelry without consent or postponing the surgery solely due to the presence of religious jewelry are not appropriate actions in this situation.
The nurse is preparing a care plan for a patient who is immobile. Which psychosocial aspect will the nurse assess for?
- A. Loss of weight
- B. Loss of bone mass
- C. Loss of hope
- D. Loss of strength
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When a patient is immobile, the nurse should assess for psychosocial aspects, including a loss of hope and increased risk of depression. While issues like weight loss (choice A), loss of bone mass (choice B), and loss of strength (choice D) can also occur due to immobility, the primary concern in this scenario is the patient's mental and emotional well-being, making 'Loss of hope' the correct answer.
A patient may need restraints. Which task can the nurse delegate to a nursing assistive personnel?
- A. Determining the need for restraints
- B. Obtaining an order for a restraint
- C. Assessing the patient's orientation
- D. Applying the restraint
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is applying the restraint (Choice D). Nursing assistive personnel can be delegated the task of applying restraints under the supervision and direction of a nurse. Determining the need for restraints (Choice A) and obtaining an order for a restraint (Choice B) involve clinical judgment and assessment, which are responsibilities of the nurse. Assessing the patient's orientation (Choice C) also requires a level of assessment that should be performed by a nurse.
A client with a history of seizures is admitted for monitoring. What should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Ensure the client is on seizure precautions.
- B. Educate the client about seizure triggers.
- C. Monitor for signs of an impending seizure.
- D. Initiate IV access for anti-seizure medication.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to ensure the client is on seizure precautions. This is crucial in preventing injury during a seizure episode. While educating the client about seizure triggers (choice B) is important for long-term management, it is not the priority when the client is admitted for monitoring. Monitoring for signs of an impending seizure (choice C) is essential but does not address immediate safety concerns. Initiating IV access for anti-seizure medication (choice D) is not the priority unless a seizure occurs and medical intervention is needed.
The patient experienced a surgical procedure, and Betadine was utilized as the surgical prep. Two days postoperatively, the nurse's assessment indicates that the incision is red and has a small amount of purulent drainage. The patient reports tenderness at the incision site. The patient's temperature is 100.5°F, and the WBC is 10,500/mm³. Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Reevaluate the temperature and white blood cell count in 4 hours.
- B. Check which solution was used for skin preparation in surgery.
- C. Plan to change the surgical dressing during the shift.
- D. Utilize SBAR to notify the primary health care provider.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The patient is showing signs of a possible surgical site infection, including redness, purulent drainage, tenderness, elevated temperature, and increased white blood cell count. These symptoms suggest the need for immediate action to address a potential complication. Utilizing SBAR to notify the primary health care provider is crucial as it allows for effective communication of the patient's condition and the need for further assessment and intervention. Reevaluating the temperature and white blood cell count later, checking the solution used for skin preparation, or planning to change the dressing do not address the urgent need for intervention and communication with the healthcare provider.