Medical Surgical Nursing NCLEX RN Questions Related

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The client is to take nothing by mouth after 4 a.m. The nurse recognizes that the client has deficient knowledge when he states that he:

  • A. Ate a gelatin dessert at 3:30 a.m.
  • B. Brushed his teeth at 4:00 a.m. but did not swallow.
  • C. Held a cold washcloth against his lips.
  • D. Smoked a cigarette at 6:00 a.m.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Smoking after 4 a.m. violates the nothing-by-mouth (NPO) order, as it introduces substances into the body and can affect anesthesia safety. The other actions either comply with NPO (brushing teeth without swallowing, holding a washcloth) or occurred before the cutoff (gelatin at 3:30 a.m.).