The nurse is caring for a group of clients with the help of a practical nurse (PN). Which nursing actions should the nurse assign to the PN? (Select all that apply)
- A. Administer a dose of insulin per sliding scale for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)
- B. Obtain postoperative vital signs for a client one day following unilateral knee arthroplasty
- C. Perform daily surgical dressing change for a client who had an abdominal hysterectomy
- D. Initiate patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps for two clients immediately postoperative
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Obtaining postoperative vital signs for a client one day following unilateral knee arthroplasty is a task within the scope of practice for a practical nurse (PN) and contributes to the client's recovery. Administering insulin (Choice A) involves medication administration, which typically requires a higher level of nursing education. Performing daily surgical dressing changes (Choice C) after an abdominal hysterectomy involves wound care management that is usually beyond the scope of practice for a PN. Initiating patient-controlled analgesia pumps (Choice D) is a complex nursing intervention that requires specialized training and knowledge, exceeding the typical responsibilities of a PN.
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The nurse discontinues a continuous IV heparin infusion for a male client on strict bedrest and is now preparing to administer the client's first dose of enoxaparin. Prior to giving this subcutaneous injection, which assessment finding requires additional intervention by the nurse?
- A. Current lab report indicates an Aptt at 1.5 times the client's control
- B. The client states that his right calf is aching and wants pain medication
- C. The spouse is assisting the client who is shaving with an electric razor
- D. Several bruised areas are noted on the client's upper extremities bilaterally
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Bruised areas on the client's upper extremities bilaterally indicate an increased risk of bleeding, which requires careful assessment before administering enoxaparin. Bruising suggests potential issues with clotting and hemostasis, making it crucial for the nurse to further evaluate the client's bleeding risk. Choices A, B, and C do not directly relate to the assessment of bleeding risk associated with enoxaparin administration and are therefore incorrect. Choice A provides information about the client's Aptt, which is not directly relevant to assessing bleeding risk for enoxaparin. Choice B addresses pain management, and Choice C involves the client's daily activities with no direct link to the bleeding risk assessment.
When designing a program to provide primary preventative health care to a community-based healthcare system, which service should the nurse consider for inclusion in the program? Select all that apply.
- A. Breast screening for older women
- B. Rehabilitation services for stroke victims
- C. Blood pressure assessments
- D. Antepartum nutritional counseling
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Breast screening for older women. In the context of primary preventative health care, breast screening for older women is crucial for early detection of breast cancer. Choice B, rehabilitation services for stroke victims, focuses on rehabilitative care rather than primary preventative care. Choice C, blood pressure assessments, is important for monitoring health status but not exclusive to primary prevention. Choice D, antepartum nutritional counseling, is more related to prenatal care than primary preventative health care. Therefore, choices B, C, and D do not directly align with the primary preventative health care objective of the grant.
A premature infant weighing 1,200 grams at birth receives a prescription for beractant (Survanta) 120 mg endotracheal now and q6 hr for 24 hr. The recommended dose for beractant is 100 mg/kg birth weight per dose. Single-use vials of Survanta are labeled 100 mg/4 ml. What action should the nurse take?
- A. Give 4.8 ml q6 hr
- B. Notify the healthcare provider that the dose is too high
- C. Notify the healthcare provider that the dose is too low
- D. Give 1.2 ml q6 hr
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to give 4.8 ml q6 hr. To calculate the dose, you divide the prescribed dose of 120 mg by the concentration of Survanta, which is 100 mg per 4 ml. This results in 4.8 ml per dose, as 120 mg · 100 mg/4 ml = 4.8 ml. Option B suggesting to notify the healthcare provider that the dose is too high is incorrect because the calculated dose of 4.8 ml is based on the recommended dose of 100 mg/kg birth weight. Option C suggesting to notify the healthcare provider that the dose is too low is incorrect as the calculated dose is based on the correct dosage calculation. Option D suggesting to give 1.2 ml q6 hr is incorrect because it doesn't align with the correct calculation.
An adult male is admitted to the psychiatric unit from the emergency department because he is in the manic disorder. He has lost 10 pounds in the last two weeks and has not bathed in a week because he has been "trying to start a new business" and is "too busy to eat." He is alert and oriented to time, place and person, but not situation. Which nursing diagnosis has the greatest priority?
- A. Self-care deficit
- B. Disturbed sleep pattern
- C. Disturbed thought processes
- D. Imbalanced nutrition
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Imbalanced nutrition is the priority in this case as the patient has lost a significant amount of weight and is neglecting self-care, such as bathing and eating properly. The weight loss indicates a serious issue that needs immediate attention to prevent further health complications. While self-care deficit, disturbed sleep pattern, and disturbed thought processes are also concerns for this patient, addressing the imbalanced nutrition takes precedence due to the potential impact on the patient's physical health. Neglecting proper nutrition can lead to serious complications, so it is crucial to address this issue first.
The nurse is caring for a comatose client. Which assessment finding provides the greatest indication that the client has an open airway?
- A. The client has asymmetrical chest expansion
- B. Percussion reveals dullness over the lung area
- C. Bilateral breath sounds can be auscultated
- D. The client has been turned q2h
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: "Bilateral breath sounds can be auscultated." This finding indicates that air is moving adequately in and out of both lungs, confirming an open airway. Options A, B, and D are incorrect. Asymmetrical chest expansion may indicate lung or chest wall abnormalities, percussion revealing dullness over the lung area may suggest consolidation or fluid, and turning the client q2h is a position change intervention to prevent complications, not a direct assessment of airway patency.