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 nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a client. What should the nurse assess before administration?
- A. Assess for pain relief.
- B. Monitor for respiratory depression.
- C. Assess the infusion site for complications.
- D. Increase the dosage if the client reports more pain.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct answer: Before administering morphine sulfate, the nurse should monitor for respiratory depression as it is a significant side effect of this medication. Assessing for pain relief (Choice A) is important but not a pre-administration assessment. Checking the infusion site for complications (Choice C) is relevant for IV medications, not specifically for morphine sulfate. Increasing the dosage if the client reports more pain (Choice D) is not appropriate without further assessment and medical orders.
A nurse enters a client's room to administer a prescribed medication, and the client asks about the medication. What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
- A. Give detailed information about the medication, including its potential side effects.
- B. Refer the client to the healthcare provider for more information.
- C. Give a brief explanation and administer the medication.
- D. Ask another nurse to explain the medication and proceed.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most appropriate response for the nurse when a client asks about a medication is to refer the client to the healthcare provider for more information. This ensures that the client receives accurate and detailed information from the appropriate source. Providing detailed information or a brief explanation as choices A and C suggest may not be within the nurse's scope of practice and could potentially lead to misinformation or confusion. Asking another nurse to explain the medication, as in choice D, may not guarantee accurate information, so it is best to involve the healthcare provider directly.
If a client refuses surgery, but the family insists, what should the nurse do in this situation?
- A. Respect the family's decision and proceed with the surgery.
- B. Respect the client's decision and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Try to mediate between the family and the client.
- D. Encourage the client to follow their family's wishes.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In this situation, the nurse should respect the client's decision and notify the healthcare provider. The client has the right to refuse treatment, and the nurse must advocate for the client's autonomy. Proceeding with the surgery against the client's wishes would violate their autonomy and ethical principles. Trying to mediate between the family and the client may be appropriate, but ultimately, the client's decision should be respected. Encouraging the client to follow their family's wishes disregards the client's autonomy and is not ethically appropriate.
A client is preparing for surgery wearing a necklace. What is the appropriate action?
- A. Remove the necklace and place it in a drawer
- B. Tape the necklace to the patient's skin
- C. Ask the patient for permission to lock it in a safe
- D. Ask the family to hold onto the necklace
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The appropriate action when a client is wearing a necklace before surgery is to ask the patient for permission to lock it in a safe. This is in line with hospital policy to secure valuables before entering surgery. Choice A is incorrect because simply placing the necklace in a drawer may not be secure. Choice B is incorrect as taping the necklace to the patient's skin can cause skin irritation and is not a standard practice. Choice D is incorrect because the responsibility for securing valuables typically lies with the healthcare team, not the patient's family.
The nurse is performing hand hygiene before assisting a healthcare provider with insertion of a chest tube. While washing hands, the nurse touches the sink. Which action will the nurse take next?
- A. Repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap.
- B. Inform the healthcare provider and recruit another nurse to assist.
- C. Extend the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes.
- D. Rinse and dry hands and begin assisting the healthcare provider.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The sink is considered a contaminated area. When hand hygiene is compromised during the process, it is essential to repeat handwashing using antiseptic soap to ensure proper hygiene. Choice B is incorrect because the situation can be managed by proper handwashing. Choice C is incorrect as extending the handwashing procedure to 5 minutes is not necessary in this scenario. Choice D is incorrect as the hands need to be properly cleaned before assisting the healthcare provider.
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