How should a healthcare professional position a patient to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers?
- A. Position the patient in the supine position for long periods.
- B. Use pillows to support bony prominences.
- C. Turn the patient every 4 hours.
- D. Place the patient on an alternating pressure mattress.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correctly positioning a patient to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers involves using pillows to support bony prominences. This helps to relieve pressure from vulnerable areas and prevent the development of pressure ulcers. Choice A is incorrect because keeping a patient in the supine position for extended periods can increase the risk of pressure ulcers. Choice C is incorrect as turning the patient every 2 hours, rather than every 4 hours, is recommended to prevent pressure ulcers. Choice D is not the best option mentioned for positioning a patient to reduce pressure ulcer risk; although alternating pressure mattresses can be beneficial, using pillows for support is a more direct and commonly used method.
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Which nursing action will most likely increase a patient's risk for developing a health care-associated infection?
- A. Uses a sterile bottled solution more than once within a 24-hour period.
- B. Uses surgical aseptic technique to suction an airway.
- C. Uses a clean technique for inserting a urinary catheter.
- D. Uses a cleaning stroke from the urinary meatus toward the rectum.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C. Using a clean technique for inserting a urinary catheter increases the risk for healthcare-associated infections. Invasive procedures like catheter insertion require a sterile technique to prevent introducing pathogens into the urinary tract. Choices A and B demonstrate appropriate infection control measures by emphasizing the use of sterile or aseptic techniques. Choice D represents an incorrect technique that can lead to the introduction of bacteria from the rectum into the urinary tract, potentially causing infections.
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.
A patient is prescribed a diuretic for hypertension. What is the most important assessment the nurse should perform?
- A. Monitor the patient's respiratory rate.
- B. Check the patient's blood pressure regularly.
- C. Monitor the patient's potassium levels.
- D. Monitor the patient's sodium levels.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Corrected Rationale: When a patient is prescribed a diuretic for hypertension, monitoring the patient's sodium levels is crucial. Diuretics can lead to alterations in sodium levels, potentially causing complications like hyponatremia. While monitoring other parameters like respiratory rate, blood pressure, and potassium levels may also be important, the primary concern with diuretic therapy is the risk of sodium imbalance, making the monitoring of sodium levels the most critical assessment.
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.
A client reports pain and swelling at the IV site. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Flush the IV line and continue the infusion.
- B. Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider.
- C. Increase the IV infusion rate to reduce discomfort.
- D. Apply a warm compress to the IV site and continue monitoring.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Stop the infusion and notify the healthcare provider. Pain and swelling at an IV site can indicate infiltration or infection, which are serious complications. Stopping the infusion helps prevent further harm to the client, and notifying the healthcare provider promptly allows for appropriate assessment and intervention. Choice A is incorrect because flushing the IV line and continuing the infusion could exacerbate the issue. Choice C is incorrect as increasing the IV infusion rate is not the appropriate action for pain and swelling at the site. Choice D is incorrect because applying a warm compress may not address the underlying issue of infiltration or infection; it's crucial to stop the infusion and seek further guidance.