Nokea
The nurse is caring for a client who is 4 hours post-operative from abdominal surgery. The client is complaining of severe pain. What is the nurse's first action?
- A. Reassess the pain and its characteristics
- B. Administer prescribed pain medication
- C. Notify the surgeon
- D. Encourage the use of relaxation techniques
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct first action for the nurse to take when a post-operative client complains of severe pain is to reassess the pain and its characteristics. Reassessment is crucial to understand the nature and intensity of the pain, which will guide the nurse in providing appropriate interventions. Administering pain medication may be necessary but should only be done after reassessment to ensure the right medication and dose are given. Notifying the surgeon may be required in certain situations, but reassessment of pain should precede this action. Encouraging relaxation techniques is not the priority when a client is experiencing severe pain post-operatively.
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Before administration of a stat dose of potassium chloride IV for a client with hypokalemia, what is the most important action for the nurse?
- A. Ensure the IV is flowing freely
- B. Mix the medication thoroughly
- C. Check the client's electrolyte levels
- D. Obtain a baseline ECG
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most crucial action for the nurse before administering a stat dose of potassium chloride IV to a client with hypokalemia is to ensure the IV is flowing freely. A freely flowing IV is essential to safely and effectively deliver potassium chloride, helping to prevent infusion-related issues. Checking the client's electrolyte levels or obtaining a baseline ECG may be important but are not the most critical actions before administering the medication. Mixing the medication thoroughly is not applicable in this scenario as potassium chloride is typically provided ready to use.
A client is admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis. What is the most critical treatment to initiate?
- A. Administer sodium bicarbonate IV
- B. Start an insulin drip
- C. Monitor glucose and ketone levels
- D. Provide oral hydration
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In the case of diabetic ketoacidosis, the most critical treatment to initiate is starting an insulin drip. Insulin therapy is crucial for reducing blood glucose levels by promoting glucose uptake in cells and inhibiting the production of ketones. Administering sodium bicarbonate IV is generally not recommended as it may lower the pH further and potentially worsen the condition. While monitoring glucose and ketone levels is important for assessing the response to treatment, initiating insulin therapy takes precedence. Providing oral hydration alone is insufficient to manage the metabolic derangements seen in diabetic ketoacidosis.
A client's daughter phones the charge nurse to report that the night nurse did not provide good care for her mother. What response should the nurse make?
- A. Explain that all staff are doing their best
- B. Ask for a description of what happened during the night
- C. Tell the daughter to talk to the unit's nurse manager
- D. Reassure the daughter that the mother will get better care
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct response for the nurse in this situation is to ask for a description of what happened during the night. This allows the nurse to gather specific information about the care provided and address the complaint appropriately. Choice A is incorrect because dismissing the concern by stating that all staff are doing their best does not address the specific complaint. Choice C is not the best immediate response as the charge nurse should first gather information before escalating the issue to the nurse manager. Choice D is incorrect as it focuses on reassurance without addressing the reported issue.
The nurse is assessing a client with an IV infusion of normal saline. The client reports pain and swelling at the IV site. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Slow the rate of infusion
- B. Apply a warm compress to the site
- C. Elevate the affected arm
- D. Discontinue the IV infusion
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is to discontinue the IV infusion. Pain and swelling at the IV site may indicate infiltration or phlebitis, which requires immediate discontinuation of the infusion to prevent further complications. Continuing the infusion can lead to tissue damage or infection. Slowing the rate of infusion, applying a warm compress, or elevating the affected arm would not address the underlying issue of infiltration or phlebitis and could potentially worsen the condition by allowing more fluid to infiltrate the tissues.
The nurse is assessing a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who is experiencing shortness of breath. What is the priority nursing intervention?
- A. Administer bronchodilator therapy as prescribed
- B. Encourage deep breathing and coughing exercises
- C. Position the client in a high-Fowler's position
- D. Increase the oxygen flow rate
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The priority nursing intervention for a client with COPD experiencing shortness of breath is to position the client in a high-Fowler's position. This position helps improve lung expansion and ease breathing in COPD patients. While administering bronchodilator therapy as prescribed (Choice A) is important, it is not the priority in this scenario. Encouraging deep breathing and coughing exercises (Choice B) can be beneficial but do not take precedence over positioning for improved respiratory function. Increasing the oxygen flow rate (Choice D) can be considered after the initial positioning to relieve respiratory distress, making it a later intervention.