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A patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication. What should the nurse assess for?
- A. Check for compartment syndrome
- B. Increase the pain medication
- C. Prepare the patient for surgery immediately
- D. Administer a sedative to calm the patient
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct answer: When a patient with a left arm fracture reports severe pain unrelieved by medication, the nurse should assess for compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is a condition where increased pressure within a muscle compartment compromises circulation and can lead to tissue damage. It is a surgical emergency that requires immediate intervention. Choice B is incorrect because simply increasing pain medication without identifying the cause of the unrelieved pain may mask symptoms of a serious issue like compartment syndrome. Choice C is incorrect as surgery would only be necessary if compartment syndrome is confirmed. Choice D is incorrect as administering a sedative does not address the underlying issue of unrelieved pain and may delay appropriate treatment.
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Which finding in a postoperative patient requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
- A. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute.
- B. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg.
- C. Crackles heard in the lung bases.
- D. Oxygen saturation of 88% on room air.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In a postoperative patient, an oxygen saturation level of 88% on room air indicates a significant drop below the normal range, suggesting potential respiratory distress. This finding requires immediate intervention by the nurse to ensure the patient receives adequate oxygenation. A heart rate of 88 beats per minute is within the normal range, making it a less concerning finding. A blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg falls within the normal range for blood pressure and does not require immediate intervention. Crackles heard in the lung bases may indicate fluid accumulation but may not always require immediate intervention unless accompanied by other concerning signs or symptoms.
A nurse witnesses a colleague administering the wrong IV solution to a client. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Complete an incident report.
- B. Ask the colleague if they intend to report the error.
- C. Call the healthcare provider to notify them of the error.
- D. Notify the supervisor about the situation.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct first step for the nurse to take in this situation is to ask the colleague if they intend to report the error. It is important to address the error promptly and directly with the colleague involved to ensure that the appropriate actions are taken to correct the mistake and prevent harm to the client. Completing an incident report, calling the healthcare provider, or notifying the supervisor can be done after discussing the error with the colleague. Immediate communication with the colleague directly involved in the error is crucial to address the situation effectively.
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.
In a disaster where a building has collapsed, which victim should a nurse attend to first?
- A. A victim who has died of multiple serious injuries
- B. A victim with a partial amputation of a leg who is bleeding profusely
- C. An alert victim who has numerous bruises on the arms and legs
- D. A hysterical victim who has sustained a head injury
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In a disaster situation like a building collapse, the nurse should attend to the victim with a partial amputation of a leg who is bleeding profusely first. This victim is at immediate risk of severe blood loss, which can be life-threatening. It is crucial to address life-threatening injuries like severe bleeding before attending to other less urgent cases. The victim with the amputation requires immediate intervention to control bleeding and stabilize their condition. Victims who are already deceased or have less urgent injuries can be attended to after addressing the critical cases.
The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of guided imagery for pain management in a patient with second- and third-degree burns requiring extensive dressing changes. Which finding best indicates the effectiveness of guided imagery?
- A. The patient's need for analgesic medication decreases during the dressing changes.
- B. The patient rates pain during the dressing change as a 6 on a scale of 0 to 10.
- C. The patient asks for pain medication during the dressing changes only once throughout the procedure.
- D. The patient's facial expressions remain stoic during the procedure.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. A reduction in the need for analgesic medication indicates that guided imagery is effective in managing the patient's pain. Choices B, C, and D do not directly measure the effectiveness of guided imagery. A patient rating pain as 6 on a scale of 0 to 10, asking for pain medication once, or having stoic facial expressions may not necessarily reflect the impact of guided imagery on pain management.