A patient with heart failure needs education on fluid restrictions. What is the most important information to provide?
- A. Monitor the patient's weight daily.
- B. Provide the patient with a fluid restriction plan.
- C. Instruct the patient to avoid salty foods.
- D. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The most important information to provide to a patient with heart failure regarding fluid restrictions is to provide them with a fluid restriction plan. This plan helps the patient manage their fluid intake effectively, which is crucial in preventing complications associated with heart failure. Monitoring weight daily can be a part of the plan but is not the most important. Instructing the patient to avoid salty foods is beneficial but not as crucial as having a structured fluid restriction plan. Encouraging the patient to increase fluid intake would be counterproductive and potentially harmful in a patient with heart failure.
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A nurse is caring for a patient with an infection. Which laboratory result is most important to monitor?
- A. White blood cell count (WBC)
- B. C-reactive protein (CRP)
- C. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- D. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: White blood cell count (WBC). Monitoring the white blood cell count is crucial when caring for a patient with an infection as it helps assess the body's response to the infection. An elevated white blood cell count often indicates an active infection or inflammation, while a decreasing count may signal improvement or potential complications. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are nonspecific markers of inflammation and not as specific to monitoring infection progression as the white blood cell count. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity and blood volume, but they are not the primary indicators for monitoring infection.
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that requires a peak and trough level. What is the nurse's priority action?
- A. Administer the medication before the peak level is obtained.
- B. Withhold the medication until the trough level is obtained.
- C. Administer the medication based on the previous trough level.
- D. Ensure that the medication is administered within 2 hours of the peak level.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse's priority action should be to withhold the medication until the trough level is obtained. This is crucial to ensure accurate dosing based on the patient's levels. Administering the medication before the peak level is obtained (choice A) can lead to incorrect dosing. Administering the medication based on the previous trough level (choice C) may not reflect the current levels accurately. Ensuring that the medication is administered within 2 hours of the peak level (choice D) is not necessary for obtaining accurate peak and trough levels.
What is the priority when assessing a patient for possible deep vein thrombosis (DVT)?
- A. Dorsiflex the foot and check for pain.
- B. Measure the calf circumference of both legs.
- C. Check the skin for signs of redness.
- D. Perform a Doppler ultrasound scan.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is to measure the calf circumference of both legs when assessing a patient for possible DVT. An increase in calf circumference in one leg can indicate the presence of a DVT. Option A is incorrect because dorsiflexing the foot and checking for pain are not primary assessments for DVT. Option C is incorrect as redness of the skin may not always be present in cases of DVT. Option D is incorrect as performing a Doppler ultrasound scan is usually done after clinical assessment and to confirm the diagnosis, not as the initial priority assessment.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is being cared for by a nurse. What is the most appropriate action to improve the patient's oxygenation?
- A. Encourage the patient to use incentive spirometry.
- B. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula as prescribed.
- C. Assist the patient with coughing and deep breathing exercises.
- D. Position the patient in a high Fowler's position.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Administering oxygen via nasal cannula as prescribed is the most appropriate action to improve the patient's oxygenation in COPD. Oxygen therapy helps maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood, which is crucial for managing COPD. Encouraging the use of incentive spirometry, assisting with coughing and deep breathing exercises, and positioning the patient in high Fowler's position are all beneficial interventions, but administering oxygen is the priority for immediate oxygenation support in COPD.
The nurse is admitting a patient with an infectious disease process. Which question will be most appropriate for a nurse to ask about the patient's susceptibility to this infectious process?
- A. Do you have any children living in your home?
- B. Do you have a spouse?
- C. Do you have a chronic disease?
- D. Do you have any religious beliefs that will influence your care?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'Do you have a chronic disease?' Patients with chronic diseases are more susceptible to infections due to factors like general debilitation and nutritional impairment. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because having children in the home, having a spouse, or religious beliefs do not directly impact susceptibility to infectious diseases.